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AIR International - December 2019

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75% found this document useful (4 votes)
663 views100 pages

AIR International - December 2019

Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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RED FLAG: TRAINING THE COMBAT AIR FORCE

KC-46 Future
Pegasus airliners
Mythical, winged and divine? CityBirds and Flying-Vs

PLUS:

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nd
ut n
-So io
he Gulfstream’s new
on s
nd an

G700
Lo p

Hybrid-electric
at Ex

regional airliners
Low-cost, long-
haul changing
the norm
Israeli 777-300ER
freighter
Rolls-Royce’s
Military • Commercial • Business • Unmanned • Engines • Systems & Technology new 747 test-bed

F-35 Lightning IIs


All over
the
world
DECEMBER 2019 Vol.97 No.6 UK £4.99

Replacing F-4 Phantoms Aviation safety Flight training school


In Japan and the Republic of Korea Theory and safety Italy’s new model
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Boeing
INTRODUCTION

Next
Month:
Boeing
777X

From the Editor


ONE OF this month’s big themes is Lockheed Martin’s F-35 Lightning aerospace programmes, including the successor of the Antonov An-
II fighter with an overview of the programme and the latest news 2, the theory and practice of aviation safety, and a look at Malaysia’s
from many of the countries now operating the stealth fighter. fleet of F/A-18D Hornet fighters.
Another big feature is devoted to Red Flag, America’s premier air AIR International’s January 2020 issue will include coverage of
exercise with the latest insight into its evolution since the first edition Boeing’s 777X and will be on sale in the UK and around the globe
was staged in November 1975, and the more recent big shifts to from December 24.
train in a multi-domain environment. Red Flag continues to lead the
charge training combat air forces from around the world.
From the warmth of Cyprus, insight into how the Cyprus Air Force
protects the Mediterranean island nation, a full overview of the
Boeing KC-46 Pegasus tanker aircraft now in service with the US Air
Force, but still snagged by problems.
Elsewhere in the world, we cover Japan and the Republic of
Korea’s plans to replace F-4 Phantom fighters, an overview of future
airliners, the latest military flight training school in Italy, new Russian Mark Ayton, Editor

Having difficulty finding a copy of the latest AIR International? To find a stockist near you,
If so, please send store location details and the date, to Ann Saundry at [email protected] visit www.airinternational.com

Editorial and Design Team: Distribution by Seymour Distribution Ltd Air International is distributed in the USA by Mail
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COVER: Main image: Mark Ayton Top left: Boeing Top right: Bauhaus Luftfahrt Bottom left: Nigel Pittaway Bottom middle: Pexels Bottom right: Leonardo

www.airinternational.com | 3
CONTENTS

FEATURES
26 F-35 LIGHTNING II 56 AVIATION SAFETY
Mark Ayton reviews the latest news from the world’s largest defence Simon Bennett provides an overview of aviation safety theory
programme, the F-35 Lightning II fighter. and practice.

42 LONDON SOUTHEND AIRPORT 60 CYPRUS AIR FORCE


Simon Murdoch reports from the fast-growing London
Ian Harding and Neil Dunridge report from Andreas
Southend Airport.
Papandreou Air Base.

46 BOEING KC-46A PEGASUS 64 TOMORROW’S AIRLINERS


AIR International outlines the KC-46A Pegasus tanker and the
Mark Broadbent rounds up some of the
challenges remaining for the programme.
research into future airliner concepts.

Contents
42 60

4 | www.airinternational.com
CONTENTS

SCENE
70 F/A-18D HORNET 06 LEADING STORIES

Bauhaus Luftfahrt
Nigel Pittaway provides an overview of the Tentera Udara Diraja Dubai headlines, Airbus VSR700 and LOUT,
Malaysia’s F/A-18D Hornet fleet. Boeing 737 MAX.

74 RED FLAG’S BIG SHIFT 08 COMMERCIAL AIRCRAFT


Mark Ayton charts the origin, objectives and evolution of Big Twin Freighter, Rolls-Royce testbed,
America’s premier air warfare exercise, Red Flag. SSJ-100 winglets, Flybe.

88 ITALY’S FLIGHT TRAINING SCHOOL 12 UNMANNED AIR


Riccardo Niccoli reports on the joint flight training school run VEHICLES
by Leonardo and the Aeronautica Militare. X-37B returns, VoloDrone, MQ-9.

13 INTELLIGENCE,
SURVEILLANCE & RECON
Guardia di Finanza ATR 72MP order,
upgraded Atlantique 2.

20

NEWS COLUMNS
16 RUSSIA
Su-57 Felon, An-2 successor and the
CR929 airliner.

20 US AIR FORCE
FARA, FLRAA and multi-domain operations.

24 ASIA-PACIFIC
New capabilities for Japan, Korea and
Philippines.

See pages 14-15 for details


BACK PAGES
92 COMMERCIAL
HELICOPTERS
Mil and Kamov join forces, H225,
74 Bell 412EPI.

93 BIZJETS
Gulfstream launches G700, FlexJet signs
for Praetor.

94 LEADING A CHARGE
Electric aviation developments.

96 THE CHANGING GAME?


Low-cost long-haul.

98 SPIRIT IN BELFAST
Big news for wing production.

www.airinternational.com | 5
SCENE
Headlines from the Dubai Airshow
The opening of the Dubai Airshow, to axe the A380 as a current- “demonstrator project inspired by environmental sustainability
the year’s last major aerospace production aircraft. The initial deal biomimicry”. The fello’fly initiative initiatives, Boeing said.
industry event, was relatively was for 40 A330neos and 30 A350- will test a concept of a jet flying Among other announcements,
subdued. The major commercial 900s, but in the amended deal the in the wake vortex of a preceding Embraer revealed the C-390
announcements on the first day A330neos are no longer part of the aircraft, enabling the ‘follower’ Millennium as the new designation
included Air Arabia ordering 120 order. aircraft to decrease engine thrust and name of its KC-390
A320neos and Emirates purchasing Boeing announced an order from and reduce fuel consumption. multimission aircraft. Russian
50 Airbus A350-900s. Biman Bangladesh for two more Boeing announced that a 787- Helicopters presented its VRT500
The Emirates deal amended a 787-9s. There were some regional 9 it will deliver to Etihad Airways light single-engine helicopter
tentative agreement announced aircraft purchases, with Palma early in 2020 will serve as a flying and the VRT300, an unmanned
in February 2019 for 70 Airbus Aviation Holdings ordering two De laboratory to test procedures that variant of the design, overseas
widebodies that was part of a Havilland Aircraft of Canada Dash could reduce fuel consumption and for the first time. This helicopter
restructuring of Emirates’ backlog 8-400s and Air Peace ordering carbon emissions. The ‘Greenliner’, is a joint venture between
that involved the cancellation of three Embraer E190-E2s. as the jet will be known, will operate Russian Helicopters subsidiary
39 of its remaining A380 orders, On the technology side, Airbus in Etihad’s network, but periodically VR-Technologies and the Emirati
a decision that prompted Airbus announced what it describes as a, serve as a testbed for assessing company Tawazun. Mark Broadbent

Latest Norwegian VSR700 prototype flies


NH90 delivery The prototype Airbus Helicopters described by Airbus as a “fully
VSR700 performed its first flight at fledged” unmanned aerial system,
a test centre near Aix-en-Provence is a follow-on to an optionally
on November 8, 2019, performing piloted demonstrator first flown in
several take-offs and landings in a 2017 based on a modified Guimbal
secure flight test zone tethered to Cabri G2 helicopter. The VSR700
98ft-long (30m) cables. has specialised avionics and an
The VSR700 is in the advanced flight control system, a
500–1,000kg (1,102–2,204lb) payload bay and a sleeker, more
maximum take-off weight class of aerodynamic shape.
unmanned vertical take-off and The next steps in testing are
landing systems. It is designed free flight and opening the flight
to carry multiple full-size naval envelope. Airbus’ target is to
sensors for extended periods and undertake trials with an operational
for operations from existing ships demonstrator from a Marine
alongside a helicopter. Nationale (French Navy) vessel in
NH90 NFH 358, the latest NH90 delivered to Norway, seen taking off from Maritime Air The VSR700 prototype, 2021. Mark Broadbent
Station De Kooy in the Netherlands on September 30, where it made a weekend stop while
on delivery from Leonardo Helicopters’ facility in Tessera, Italy, to Bardufoss Air Station.
Although this is the 11th NH90 delivered, NH90 NFH 358 (c/n 1358, customer number
NNWN13) is actually the 13th NH90 built for Norway, as the first two remain with
NHIndustries for trials for the time being. Norway has ordered 14 NH90 NFHs eight for
SAR and fisheries inspection used by the Kystvakt (Coast Guard) and operated by 337
Skvadron at Bardufoss Air Station. The remaining six were acquired for anti-submarine
warfare by the navy, flown by 334 Skvadron from Bardufoss Air Station and Haakonsvern
naval base. Kees van der Mark

Return of the MAX


The US Federal Aviation crew workload, before certification
Administration (FAA) and other flights, delivery of materials to the
regulators continue work to certify FAA and finally a Joint Operational
software updates for the Boeing Evaluation Board (JOEB) Simulator
737 MAX. The manufacturer said in Training Evaluation. The JOEB is
November it is “possible” deliveries described as, “a multi-regulatory
of the grounded jet could resume body that will conduct a multiday
The Airbus VSR700 undertakes its tethered first flight in November 2019. Airbus
in December, but updated training simulator session with test pilots to
requirements must be validated validate training requirements”.
by the regulator before the The FAA issuing an Airworthiness
aircraft resumes operation, and
this process is not expected to be
Directive ‘ungrounding’ the aircraft
and clearing a return to service is
Lithuania to acquire
completed until January.
A multiday ‘eCab’ simulator
not expected until January 2020,
Boeing said. Already, customers Black Hawks
evaluation to check the overall Southwest Airlines, American The Lithuanian Ministry Mi-8 helicopters and will be used
software system performs its Airlines and United Airlines have all of Defence announced on by the Lithuanian Armed Forces,
intended function both normally removed the 737 MAX from their October 18, 2019, that it will as well as supporting the NATO
and in the presence of system schedules until March 2020. begin negotiations with the US enhanced Forward Presence
failures was completed in Meanwhile, the Dubai Government for the procurement Battalion Group in the country.
November, Boeing said. Airshow saw a number of new of Sikorsky UH-60M Black Hawk The helicopters will also provide a
The next steps are a multiday commitments for the 737 MAX, battlefield airlift helicopters. search and rescue (SAR) capability
simulator session with airline pilots from Air Astana (30 aircraft) and Six Black Hawks will replace for the Lithuanian Government.
to assess human factors, including SunExpress (ten). Mark Broadbent Lithuania’s ageing fleet of Mil Nigel Pittaway

6 | www.airinternational.com @ [email protected]
SCENE
Airbus’ stealth research Marineflieger’s first
NH90 Sea Lion Airbus Helicopters announced The Navy has 18 Sea Lions on
on October 24, 2019, that it has order, with deliveries expected
delivered the first NHI NH90 Sea Lion to be completed by 2022. The
naval multi-role helicopter to the helicopters will be used for land-
German Bundesamt für Ausrüstung, based SAR operations, maritime
Informationstechnik und Nutzung reconnaissance and special forces
der Bundeswehr (Equipment, support operations. They will also
information Technology and be embarked in the Bundesmarine’s
Information Support). A further two Berlin-class (Type 702) combat
helicopters will be delivered before support ships.
the end of 2019. The NH90 has also been selected
The German Marineflieger by the Marineflieger to replace its
selected the NH90 Sea Lion to fleet of 22 Westland Sea Lynx Mk88A
replace its Westland Sea King Mk41 embarked helicopters. The entire
helicopters in March 2013 and the Marineflieger fleet of fixed and
Airbus’ recently disclosed Low Observable UAV Testbed concept. Airbus
acquisition contract was signed in rotary-wing aircraft is based at Naval
Airbus revealed recently it has been Specific design aspects include June 2015. Air Station Nordholz. Nigel Pittaway
working in secret on a concept an engine inlet with a low radar
stealth unmanned combat aerial cross-section, an engine duct made
vehicle demonstrator for the
German government. The Low
of radar-absorbing materials, a
diverterless inlet, a low-observable 100 years of Flottille 11F
Observable UAV Testbed (LOUT) leading edge and an integrated
was shown during a trade media flat nozzle design. The project has
briefing in November. The project investigated various options for low-
remains highly secretive and limited observable compatible thrust vector
details were provided. control and cooling structural parts.
A graphic in an Airbus The fuselage body and wing
presentation said LOUT feature an “ultra-wideband
development work began in 2007 leading-edge” and unspecified
in Manching and Bremen in what low-observable coatings including,
the company called a “Skunk Works “surface wave attenuation to
approach”. The German defence decouple mutually spaced
ministry awarded the company scattering effects” and optically
a contract in 2010 for a very low transparent and electrically
observable (VLO) ground testbed. conducting transparencies.
LOUT was developed to Airbus said the project resulted
demonstrate, “wideband signature in reduced radio frequency,
reduction technologies and [be] a acoustic and infrared signatures and
testbed for further VLO integration”. “awareness of the own signature
The presentation and accompanying linked to the mission management On September 27, Flottille 11F – the oldest fighter squadron within the
images show the LOUT concept as system”. The presentation said: French Aéronautique Navale (French Naval Aviation) – celebrated its 100th
having a distinctive diamond-shaped “LOUT covers all aspects from anniversary at Base d’Aéronautique Navale Landivisiau in Brittany, its home
base since May 1967. The squadron applied centennial markings to the tails
planform with a configuration simulation and development to
of five of its Rafale Ms (aircraft 10, 11, 32, 35 and 37) earlier this year. All five
intended to support “radar, infrared, production and measurement.” specially decorated 11F Rafale Ms sport the markings shown on the right side
visual and acoustic stealth”. Mark Broadbent of the tail. Kees van der Mark

First Dutch KDC-10 retired from service


The Koninklijke Luchtmacht (KLu,
Royal Netherlands Air Force) retired
the first of its two KDC-10 tanker/
transport aircraft on November
1, in anticipation of the arrival of
the first two of eight Airbus A330
Multi-Role Tanker Transports for
the Multinational MRTT Unit in the
spring of 2020. KDC-10 T-264 ‘Prins
Bernhard’ of Eindhoven-based 334
Squadron flew its final aerial refuelling
sortie in KLu service on October
28 over Poland. It departed to San
Antonio Airport, Texas, on November
4, to undergo major overhaul before
joining its new owner, US company
Omega Aerial Refueling Services.
Both KLu KDC-10 were recently sold
to Omega. Since T-264 was up for a
D check this year, the KLu decided
to retire the aircraft early. Sister ship
T-235 ‘Jan Scheffer’ will soldier on
until late 2021, when the first A330
MRTTs should be operational.
Kees van der Mark

www.facebook.com/airinternationalmagazine www.airinternational.com | 7
SCENE

Freighter conversion for 777-300ER

The IAI 777-300ERSF is the first passenger-to-freighter conversion for the Boeing 777. Israel Aerospace Industries

Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) window plugs to the fuselage and underfloor cargo configurations fuel per tonne than converted
has launched a Boeing 777-300ER a 9g rigid cargo barrier, and the and the General Electric GE- 747-400 freighters, the aircraft that
freighter conversion option deactivation of all passenger doors 115B turbofan engines on the historically dominated the larger-
called the 777-300ERSF. Launch except the first pair. 777-300ER, 777-200LRF and capacity segment of the freighter
customer GE Capital Aviation The aircraft has modified 777-200LR. There will be 90% market.
Services (GECAS) has ordered 15 environmental control system spares and 95% ground support The 777-300ER is one of the
examples and 15 options, with the ducting, provision for powered equipment commonality with most successful widebody airliners
first conversion to be delivered to and non-powered cargo loading, the other aircraft, and no extra ever, with 850 sold since launch.
the lessor in 2022. and a main deck temperature simulator training is required for With older examples set to leave
Although Boeing produces a control system for the carriage of flight crew. their initial operators over the next
new-build 777 Freighter based perishable goods and live animals. The 777-300ERSF is the first few years, there is a ready supply of
on the 777-200LR, IAI says the There is a crew compartment Triple Seven aftermarket cargo aircraft for conversion.
777-300ER’s greater length means with up to 11 supernumerary seats, conversion. It is being marketed as The 777-300ERSF continues IAI’s
the 777-300ERSF will have 47 a double bunk crew rest area, a wet the Big Twin Freighter, a reference history of passenger to freighter
standard-sized 96 x 125in (2.4 x galley with a chiller, a lavatory and to the ‘big twin’ moniker often conversion work on Boeings. It
3.2m) pallet positions, ten more an optional configuration for nine used in relation to the 777-300ER. offers conversions for the 737, 747
than the 777-200LRF. economy class seats. IAI says the 777-300ERSF has and 767 and has converted more
The conversion involves the IAI says the 777-300ERSF 25% more volume than the 777- than 70 jets for GECAS over the last
addition of a freighter lining and offers full commonality with the 200LRF and will burn 21% less 20 years. Mark Broadbent

Flybe to become Virgin Connect


Flybe will be rebranded as Virgin
Connect in 2020, it has been
confirmed. A change of identity for
Europe’s largest regional airline was
widely rumoured since the carrier’s
acquisition earlier in 2019 by
Connect Airways, a consortium of
Virgin Atlantic, Stobart Aviation and
Cygnus Aviation.
A statement from Connect
Airways saying, “We’ll be saying
goodbye to purple and hello to red”,
indicates an upcoming replacement
for Flybe’s current predominantly
purple livery, which was only
introduced in 2016.
Virgin Atlantic wants to boost
connectivity from the regions to its
The purple on Flybe’s aircraft will disappear when the carrier rebrands as Virgin Connect next year. Flybe
services from Heathrow. The carrier
initially tried to boost passenger International Airlines Group operates more than a third of UK biggest regional player. Virgin’s
feed at its hub through an Airbus following the 2012 purchase of BMI. domestic flights. Flybe recently investment in Flybe via Connect
A320-equipped subsidiary called However, Little Red shut down in announced its summer 2020 Airways is part of this bigger picture
Little Red. 2015 after two years of operations. schedule starting next March will of boosting passenger feed into
This carrier operated UK domestic Virgin later signed a codeshare see it operate 104 routes with 2,500 Heathrow and the Virgin Connect
services using slots divested by with Flybe to tap into the regional weekly flights across its network, rebrand is the next obvious step.
British Airways’ parent company carrier’s extensive network; it confirming its position as Europe’s Mark Broadbent

8 | www.airinternational.com @ [email protected]
SCENE
Superjet 100 with Sabrelets

Sabrelets are now offered as both line-fit and retrofit options on the Sukhoi Superjet 100. Sukhoi Civil Aircraft Company

The Sukhoi Civil Aircraft Company Superjets, as well as a retrofit for attachments to its wing, stabiliser said the tests showed Sabrelets
(SCAC) has completed flight in-service examples. and vertical fin leading edges to improve the SSJ100’s take-off
testing of new composite Sabrelet Two SSJ-100s, 97006 (c/n simulate ice. The testing, carried out and landing performance and
wingtip devices developed for its 95032) and 97012 (c/n 95157), by SCAC with the assistance of the will reduce fuel burn by 4%. The
Superjet 100-95B regional airliner. assessed the aircraft’s stability and Central Aerohydrodynamic Institute manufacturer claims the devices will
The winglets are manufactured controllability with the Sabrelets at Zhukovsky, focused on fuel-burn save up to RUB 10 million annually
by the United Aircraft Corporation at different speeds and angles of calculations and achievable savings. for each equipped aircraft. Sukhoi
company VASO and are offered attack in more than 140 test flights. Russian Federation Minister for has received 295 firm orders for the
as a line-fit option for new-build One aircraft, 97012, was fitted with Industry and Trade Denis Manturov type. Mark Broadbent

Rolls-Royce’s latest flying testbed


Rolls-Royce is to introduce a
second Boeing 747 to test the next
generation of technologies for the
company’s commercial aircraft
engines after acquiring ex-Qantas
747-434 VH-OJU (c/n 25566).
The aircraft was retired by
Qantas in mid-October after flying
more than 43 million miles (70
million km) during 20 years’ service
with the Australian airline. It was
flown from Sydney to Los Angeles
and then on to the AeroTEC facility
at Moses Lake in Washington,
where the aircraft will over the next
two years undergo conversion
from a 364-seat passenger airliner
into a specialist testbed.
When the conversion is
complete the aircraft will work
alongside, although not replace,
Rolls-Royce’s existing flying
A CGI of the ex-Qantas Boeing 747-400 that will become Rolls-Royce’s second flying testbed. Rolls-Royce
testbed, 747-267B N787RR (c/n
21966), which the company says than ever before”. The company power both commercial and Rolls-Royce is investing £56
has now completed 285 test flights said the new instrumentation business aircraft. million in acquiring and converting
since starting its testbed role in and systems will also obtain The 747-400 will support the 747-400. This is in addition to a
2007. Rolls-Royce employees will better data more quickly and take Rolls-Royce’s IntelligentEngine £90 million investment in Testbed
choose a name for the converted sophisticated measurements of vision that engines are ‘smart’ 80, described by the company as
747-400, which served its life with engine performance in flight. and, specifically, that connectivity “the largest and most intelligent
Qantas as Lord Howe Island. Engines will be tested at higher means engines are aware of the testbed in the world”, which is
Rolls-Royce says the 747- altitudes and faster speeds. In environment, learn from their own under construction in Derby and
400 will be a “flying digital hub, an industry first, the 747 will be experiences and adjust behaviour set to be commissioned in 2020.
analysing more flight test data configured to test engines that to achieve best performance. Mark Broadbent

www.facebook.com/airinternationalmagazine www.airinternational.com | 9
SCENE
Manchester City Dreamliner

Etihad Airways Boeing 787-10 A6-BND (c/n 42373), delivered in October, wears a Manchester City livery marking the club’s partnership with the airline and its
ownership by Abu Dhabi. Etihad Airways

Air Canada A220

The first of 45 Airbus A220s for Air Canada recently rolled out of the paint shop in Mirabel. This A220-300, C-GROV (msn 55067), will enter service in December.
Airbus

Star Wars 747

Virgin Atlantic recently repainted Boeing 747-443 G-VLIP (c/n 32338) into a special livery to promote a new Star Wars attraction at Disneyland. The aircraft has also
been renamed ‘The Falcon’. Richard Vandervord

10 | www.airinternational.com @ [email protected]
SCENE
INNUMBERS INBRIEF
Airbus United introduces CRJ550
The first Bombardier CRJ550 entered
service with United Airlines on 15 regional
routes out of its Chicago hub. Bombardier
describes the CRJ550 as the first 50-seat
airliner with three classes. It is a new CRJ
Series model, with its type certificate based
on the CRJ700. United has ordered 50
examples for routes to small cities with
high numbers of business passengers. Each
has ten business-class seats, 20 premium
economy and 20 economy. Mark Broadbent

Czech Airbuses
Czech Airlines has amended its Airbus
aircraft order. The carrier ordered seven
A320neos in 2016, but in October
cancelled four of those and upsized the
three remaining orders to the A321XLR, the
longest-range A321neo subvariant launched
earlier this year. The carrier has also ordered
four A220-300s. Mark Broadbent

Transpacific on the 787


American Airlines is to place Boeing 787s
on more ultra-long-haul services across

AIRBUS 100
the Pacific next year. A three-times-weekly
Los Angeles-Christchurch flight will start in
October 2020 using 787-8s and a Dallas/
JETS FOR SPIRIT Fort Worth–Auckland service will begin
Customer Aircraft Number Date The Florida-based low-cost carrier Spirit Airlines has agreed from an unspecified date with larger 787-9s.
Air Austral A220-300 3, purchase October 14 a memorandum of understanding with Airbus for up to 100 American already operates a seasonal LA–
agreement A320neo Family aircraft comprising a mix of A319neo, A320neo Auckland service. The carrier said the routes,
Aviation Capital A320neo 8 October 31, announced and A321neo aircraft. Spirit Airlines said the additional aircraft will “are a direct result of the recently approved
Group November 7 be used to support network expansion across the United States, joint business with Qantas”. Mark Broadbent
Cebu Pacific A330-900 16 (firms June 18, November 4 Latin America and the Caribbean. Mark Broadbent
2019 MOU)
Thomas Cook slots sold

5
China Airlines A321neo 11 October 15, announced All the take-off and landing slots owned
November 7
by Thomas Cook at UK airports were
Czech Airlines A220-300 4 October 23
purchased by other airlines in November.
A321XLR 3 (converts March October 23 FIFTH C919 Slots at Gatwick and Bristol went to easyJet
30, 2016 order) A fifth COMAC C919 flight test aircraft completed its first and those at Manchester, Birmingham
IndiGo A320neo 300 October 29 flight in late October. This latest jet, B-001F (c/n AC105), and Stansted to Jet2. Thomas Cook’s UK
will mainly be used for extreme weather testing in both business and airline collapsed in September,
JetSMART A321neo 12 October 30, announced hot-and-high and cold conditions. It will also undertake
November 7
prompting a huge repatriation effort.
environment control, electrical power and whole-aircraft Mark Broadbent
Spirit Airlines A320neo 100 MOU October 24 drainage tests. COMAC said trials with four other flight
test aircraft and static tests, “are in steady progress”. A
Tigerair Taiwan A320neo 7 October 22, announced IAG buys Air Europa
November 7 sixth C919 will fly by the end of 2019. Mark Broadbent
The International Airlines Group (IAG)
Undisclosed A321neo 13 October 22, announced has agreed to acquire Air Europa through

1
November 7 its Iberia unit. If approved, the deal will
Vietjet A321XLR 20 (five converted October 31 complete in the second half of 2020. IAG
from existing
said it would strengthen its presence on
A321neo order) CLEARVISION-EQUIPPED ATR routes to Latin America, the United States,
Drukair is the latest carrier to introduce the ATR 42-600 the Caribbean and North Africa. The Air
aircraft equipped with the ClearVision to provide pilots

BOEING
Europa brand will initially be retained.
with improved situational awareness. The aircraft’s
Mark Broadbent
avionics include required navigation performance with
authorisation required (RNP-AR) 0.3, which enables pilots
Customer Aircraft Number Date to follow approach trajectories to within an accuracy Low-cost from Abu Dhabi
Air Premia 787-9 5, purchase October 29 of 0.3 mile (0.5km). This permits reduced minimums Etihad Aviation Group and Air Arabia are to
commitment compared to conventional approaches. The Bhutan airline launch a low-cost carrier (LCC). Air Arabia
VIP customer 787-9 October 22 serves small airports in the Himalayas. Mark Broadbent Abu Dhabi will be an independent joint
venture complementing Etihad’s services.

DE HAVILLAND 6
The new carrier will be based at Abu Dhabi.
Sharjah-based Air Arabia is the largest LCC in
the Middle East and North Africa. Low-cost
A321S FOR PLAY operations are relatively under-developed
Customer Aircraft Number Date Plans are advancing to launch a new Icelandic low-cost in this market, with Air Arabia and Flydubai
Tanzanian Government DHC-8-400 1 October 19 carrier called PLAY. The airline plans to launch with an the main players in the segment. The JV is
Flight Agency initial fleet of six Airbus A321s and serve destinations across the first expansion by the Etihad Group since
Europe and North America, with the fleet expanding to ten abandoning a previous strategy of acquiring
Data covers orders announced October 8-November 12, 2019. Key: MOU – within three years. The start-up carrier has been set up by stakes in smaller airlines. Mark Broadbent
Memorandum of Understanding. Compiled by Mark Broadbent former WOW Air and Air Atlanta personnel. Mark Broadbent

www.facebook.com/airinternationalmagazine www.airinternational.com | 11
SCENE
X-37B lands after two years in orbit

The US Air Force’s X-37B Orbital Test Vehicle Mission 5 pictured at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center Shuttle Landing Facility on October 27, 2019. Jeremy Webster/US Air Force

The US Air Force’s unmanned X-37B Station, Florida aboard a Space X “the performance and flexibility to hosted AFRL experiments, among
Orbital Test Vehicle (OTV) landed Falcon 9 booster, so the mission improve technologies in a way that others, as well as providing a ride
at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center broke the aircraft’s own endurance allows scientists and engineers to for small satellites”.
Shuttle Landing Facility on October record set on the previous mission recover experiments tested in a A statement said: “The distinctive
27 after a record-breaking stay in from May 2015 to May 2017. long-duration space environment”. ability to test new systems in space
orbit of more than two years. A US Air Force statement said Managed by the US Air Force and return them to Earth is unique
The X-37B OTV is an experimental X-37B OTV Mission 5, “conducted Rapid Capabilities Office, the X-37B to the X-37B and enables the
test programme to demonstrate on-orbit experiments for 780 days”. OTV programme, “performs risk United States to more efficiently
technologies for a reusable US The aircraft has spent 2,865 days reduction, experimentation and and effectively develop space
Air Force unmanned space test in orbit since its first mission in concept of operations development capabilities necessary to maintain
platform. The X-37B OTV Mission 2011. Details of its missions and for reusable space vehicle superiority in the space domain.” A
5 launched on September 7, 2017, payloads are classified, but the US technologies”. The US Air Force sixth X-37B mission will launch in
from Cape Canaveral Air Force Air Force says the system provides, said the latest mission, “successfully 2020. Mark Broadbent

Improved ApusDuo VoloDrone for utility roles


German developer Volocopter has VoloDrone’s applicability as a
unveiled an unmanned multicopter crop sprayer. Demonstration
called the VoloDrone for the flights will take place in the next
logistics, agriculture, infrastructure growing season.
and public service sectors. The fully Volocopter said: “Use cases
electric system will be able to carry include transporting heavy
a 200kg (440lb) payload up to 25 packages to remote locations,
miles (40km). It can be remotely protecting crops in agriculture,
piloted or flown in automated lifting voluminous parts on
mode on pre-set routes, the buildings on construction sites,
manufacturer said. and many more. Anywhere
The VoloDrone features ground transportation means are
a standardised payload rail challenged by difficult accessibility,
attachment, with loads housed the VoloDrone may help.”
in the space between the landing Volocopter, based at
gear. It can transport standard- Oberpfaffenhofen near Munich, has
sized palettes containing boxes developed the VoloDrone from its
The second UAVOS ApusDuo variant has a 92ft (28m) wingspan. UAVOS Inc and bottles, or heavier loads X2, a manned multirotor concept
such as a sprayer or other it is developing as an air taxi. Like
Developer UAVOS Inc has test- The ApusDuo is designed customised equipment with a the X2, the VoloDrone has a very
flown an updated version of its to serve as a stratospheric sling. In November the company distinctive configuration with 18
ApusDuo solar-powered UAV. telecommunications platform, announced a partnership with rotors; the rotor area is 9.2m (30ft)
The second prototype has a providing video surveillance and John Deere to demonstrate the in diameter. Mark Broadbent
wider wingspan of 92ft (28m), up monitoring, communications
from the first aircraft’s 49ft (15m) relay, jamming, radio link range
wingspan. It will be able to carry a extension and retransmission.
17lb (8kg) payload. UAVOS is currently working to
The new version also has, the secure permissions to perform
developer said, “improved control stratospheric test flights.
algorithms to reduce power A characteristic of the ApusDuo
consumption in horizontal flight”. It is an “extended aspect-ratio
features new energy converters for flexible wing” designed to adjust
the solar panels mounted on the lift across the wing and distribute
aircraft’s wings for more efficient aerodynamic loads evenly to reduce
energy use in low and uneven weight and optimise control for
lighting conditions. long-duration flights. Mark Broadbent
The VoloDrone is designed to offer a heavy-lift cargo capability. Volocopter

12 | www.airinternational.com @ [email protected]
SCENE
Upgraded Atlantique 2s

The Standard 6 upgrade now being rolled out through the Aéronautique Navale’s ATL2 fleet is intended to maintain its relevance to at least 2030. Dassault

The first two Atlantique 2 (ATL2) parallel by Service Industriel de developed by SIAé. “The Standard 6 upgrade will
aircraft modernised to Standard l’Aéronautique (SIAé), the French Dassault is also responsible for improve the ATL2’s capability
6 configuration were delivered Ministry of Defence Aeronautical integration of the core mission to support the Force océanique
to the Aéronautique Navale at Industrial Service. system, including Lot 11 software, stratégique (strategic ocean
Lann-Bihoué Naval Air Station on The Standard 6 configuration developed by Naval Group. force), to deal with modern
October 29, 2019. features upgrades to the ATL2’s The initial contract was threats such as future nuclear
The ATL2 aircraft were combat systems, including awarded to Dassault by the or conventional submarines and
upgraded to the new a new Thales Search Master Direction générale de l’armement naval forces at sea and to support
configuration by Dassault active electronically scanned (Directorate-General for air-land missions out to 2030.”
Aviation, which will modify array surveillance radar, Thales Armaments) on October 4, 2013, In Aéronautique Navale service,
a further five aircraft by the acoustic system, a navigation covering 18 ATL2s in service with the Atlantiques are based at
end of 2023. The remaining console from Dassault and new the Aéronautique Navale. Lann-Bihoué and fly with 21 and
11 aircraft will be upgraded in tactical display subsystems A Dassault spokesperson said: 23 Flotilles. Nigel Pittaway

Guardia di Finanza Korean ISTAR platform


orders more ATR 72MPs The Raytheon Company
announced on October 15,
Roy Azevedo, President of
Raytheon Airborne Systems,
Italy’s Guardia di Finanza border protection, maritime 2019, that it will partner said: “Technology is changing
law enforcement agency surveillance and SAR missions. with Korean Air to develop a the way we fight and the
has ordered three Managing Director of platform for the Republic of speed at which we do it.
additional Leonardo ATR Leonardo’s Aircraft Division, Korea Air Force’s intelligence For today’s commanders, a
72MP aircraft, under a EUR Lucio Velerio Cioffi added: “The surveillance target acquisition few seconds can make the
150 million deal announced ATR 72MP combines reliability, and reconnaissance (ISTAR) difference between success
on October 29, 2019. low operating costs, all the aircraft. and failure. By combining
The contract brings the advantages of the ATR 72-600 The exclusive collaboration multiple sensors with advanced
service’s order to four aircraft, regional passenger transport agreement was signed communications systems, we
following a contract for an aircraft, together with a state- between the two parties give Korean commanders the
initial example that was signed of-the-art mission system.” during the recent Seoul information they need, when
in July 2018. The first aircraft The Italian Air Force Aerospace and Defense they need it.”
will be delivered by the end of already operates a maritime Exhibition (ADEX 2019). A formal competition is
2019 and the additional three surveillance version of the Under the agreement, yet to be launched by South
are expected to arrive before popular ATR 72 airliner Raytheon will provide multi- Korea’s Defense Acquisition
the end of 2022. equipped with Leonardo’s intelligence (Multi-INT) Programme Administration,
Leonardo’s CEO Allessandro modular Airborne Tactical technologies for the air vehicle but the Republic of Korea
Profumo said: “We are proud Observation and Surveillance as prime contractor, while Air Force’s requirement is
that the Guardia di Finanza has mission system and known as Korean Air will deliver design, understood to be for four
chosen to rely once again on the P-72A. logistics and life cycle support aircraft.
our ATR 72MP, an aircraft which The GdF currently operates services for the programme. Raytheon said: “Multi-
fully represents Leonardo’s a fleet of four ATR 42-400MP The platform will be based INT synthesises data from a
technological capabilities in and ATR 42-500MP aircraft, on Bombardier’s Global 6500 variety of sensors – including
terms of design and integration designated P-42A and P-42B business aircraft and modified radar, multifunction electro-
of platforms and systems at the respectively, with the Gruppo for the Multi-INT ISTAR role by optical/infra-red and signals
highest levels.” Esplorazione Aeromarittima, Raytheon and Korean Air, in intelligence suites – to create
The four aircraft will be based at Pratica di Mare. Nigel partnership with the original a comprehensive picture of the
utilised by the agency for Pittaway equipment manufacturer. battlespace.” Nigel Pittaway

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The Past, Present & Future of Flight

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RUSSIA
of production; the first order for Moscow, home of the Russkiye training while the Su-35 is not
By Piotr Butowski two series production Su-57s was Vityazi (Russian Knights), the produced as a two-seat version.
placed by the Russian Ministry of Russian Air Force aerobatic team. The Strizhi team, currently flying
ON NOVEMBER 8, 2019 the Defence at the Army exhibition in Aircraft numbered 50 through old MiG-29s, is to be equipped
Russia’s Deputy Minister of August 2018. Last July the Ministry 53 belong to the sixth Su-35S with new MiG-35s.
Defence responsible for arms of Defence ordered 76 Su-57s production batch; each batch has
acquisitions, Alexei Krivoruchko to be delivered by the end 2027. 20 aircraft.  CR929 will be designed
visited Sukhoi’s aircraft plant at After much conjecture, the Su-57 The 237th Aviation Technology in Russia
Komsomolsk-on-Amur (KnAAZ). has been given a NATO reporting Demonstration Centre based at An important decision in the future
He toured the production name; Felon Kubinka hosts two aerobatics China-Russian CR929 long-range
facilities of the first series- Alexey Krivoruchko confirmed teams; the Russkiye Vityazi wide-body commercial aircraft
production Su-57 and subsequent that the Komsomolsk-on-Amur (Russian Knights) and the Strizhi has been made; the China-Russia
Su-35 fighters factory had undertaken the plan (Swifts). Both were created in Commercial Aircraft International
Ministry of Defence TV channel to deliver all of the Su-35S fighters 1991. It is a combat unit, however, Corporation’s board of directors, a
Zvezda presented the almost ordered in 2019. He said: “KnAAZ and the aircraft are fully capable joint venture of Russian UAC and
complete Su-57 in the production completed the State defence order fighters; no equipment was Chinese COMAC, has approved
hall. The aircraft was painted for 2019, delivering ten Su-35S removed to reduce weight. the creation of an engineering
in the standard dark-grey pixel fighters ahead of schedule. We Since its activation on April 5, centre for developing the CR929
colour scheme (as per the T-50 expect to receive the last batch 1991, the Russkiye Vityazi team in Russia. That’s according to head
prototypes) and a blue 01 tactical of ten aircraft included in the flew Su-27 fighters; re-equipping of Russia’s Ministry of Industry
number; system installation was in current contract during 2020 [that with eight Su-30SMs in November and Trade, Denis Manturov who
progress. A board fixed to the work contract signed in December 2015 2016, complemented more disclosed the move in November.
platform around the jet had the covered 50 fighters]. recently with four Su-35S aircraft. He said: “In Shanghai, where final
fighter’s serial number, 51001. According to Krivoruchko, the Russia’s aerobatic teams are used assembly of the aircraft will take
Speaking at Komsomolsk, factory will receive additional Su- primarily to demonstrate new place, a branch of the engineering
Krivoruchko said: “By the end 35 contracts in the future. aircraft intended for export, both centre will be disposed.”
of the year, it will be delivered the Su-30SM and Su-35S are UAC and COMAC agreed
to the Aerospace Forces. Next Vityazi Su-35s offered for export by the Russian to work as equal risk-sharing
year, we expect one more.” The On November 12, 2019 four government so we can expect partners: to halve expenses and
second production Su-57 was of the ten Su-35s built by the that both types will remain in the to conduct joint sales. It’s a bitter
also shown in the TV report; it was Komsomolsk factory were Russian Knight’s inventory. Two- pill for the Chinese team to
in a much less advanced stage delivered to Kubinka Air Base near seat Su-30SMs are required for swallow, since demand from the

Su-57, LMS and AHL


Russkiye Vityazi Su-35S 50 blue at
Komsomolsk-on-Amur in November
before its delivery to Kubinka Air Base.
Sukhoi

16 | www.airinternational.com @ [email protected]
RUSSIA
An-2 successor ordered
After decades of deliberation
over what aircraft should replace
the An-2, it seems the Russian
government has decided.
On October 5, 2019 the Ministry
of Industry and Trade settled
on the design for the Lyogkiy
Mnogotselevoy Samolyot (LMS or
lightweight multipurpose aircraft)
and ordered the design.
In basic configuration, and
in accordance with a strict
specification, the LMS must carry
between nine and 14 passengers,
attain a cruise speed of no less
than 162kts (300km/h), a range of
810 nautical miles (1,500km) with a
payload of 2,000kg (4,409lb) and a
45-minute fuel reserve. LMS take-
off and landing characteristics must
not be inferior to those of the An-2.
Finally, the cost of a production
standard aircraft must not exceed
RUB 120 million and the cost
per flight hour no more than
RUB 30,000. The aircraft will be
powered with a single 800shp
(596kW) Klimov VK-800S or a GE
The first production-series Su-57 Felon, 51001 (01 blue) on the production line at Komsomolsk-on-Amur. Russian internet
Aviation H80-200 turboprop.
Chinese market is estimated at
approximately 1,200 wide-body
airliners in the next 20 years, while
Russia may require as few as 120.
Disagreement arose over the
selection of the country in which
the CR929 type certificate will
be received. Manturov reckons
certification options are being
studied by the parties.
On another Russian-Chinese
project: Russian Helicopters
and AVIC have completed
negotiations and agreed on all of
the contract documentation for
development of the Advanced
Heavy Lift (AHL) helicopter
according to Russian Helicopters’
press service in October. The
contract is expected to be signed
at the end of this year.
Unlike the CR929, Russia is not
a partner in the AHL programme,
just a sub-contractor; the
project is fully owned by Chinese
AVIC, which is responsible for
implementation of the programme
in general, including design,
construction of prototypes,
carrying out tests, certification,
and then the series production and
sales of the helicopter.
The Russian side will complete
the preliminary design and then
develop some subsystems,
including transmission and tail
rotor; their technologies will be
later handed over to China.
The AHL helicopter is expected
to have a maximum take-off
weight of 38,700kg with an
internal load of 10,000kg and
15,000kg external. Service ceiling
is set at 20,000ft (6,000m), range
430 nautical miles (800km), and a
cruise speed of 145kts (270km/h).
First delivery is set for 2032. A mock-up of the CRAIC CR929 airliner. Piotr Butowski

www.facebook.com/airinternationalmagazine www.airinternational.com | 17
RUSSIA

Artist impressions of the future Russian LMS lightweight multipurpose aircraft. Baikal Engineering

For the time being, the LMS Aviation Institute design bureau.
contract is modest at RUB 1.25 The aircraft will be produced in
billion (approximately $20 million) the facility at Ulan-Ude currently
paid by the Russian government manufacturing Mi-8AMT and Mi-
providing for only the design and 171 helicopters.
production of one static prototype
for testing, to be completed by Russia’s merged helicopter
December 15, 2020. organisation
Follow-on phases include At the beginning of October,
production of prototypes and the Russian Helicopters board
flight testing. of directors decided to integrate
The LMS contract was granted Russia’s two largest helicopter
to a company, only established on developers.
February 22, 2019, called Baikal Under a unified structure,
Engineering located at Ulan-Ude, the design bureaus of Mil and it had been based since 1940, to Several aircraft were presented
with authorised capital of just RUB Kamov will be merged in the the site of the Mil design bureau to the African leaders during the
10,000. Yekaterinburg-based Ural Mil and Kamov National Centre at Tomilino. Kamov’s buildings event including the VIP-configured
Works of Civil Aviation (UWCA) is of Helicopter Engineering. in Ukhtomskaya were sold; as a Ansat light helicopter, MiG-35NG
the founder which has participated Legally, the new centre will be consequence, Russian Helicopters fighter, Mi-35P attack helicopter
in the assembly of Czech L-410 created in January-February claim the total space occupied by and Superjet regional airliner.
aircraft, Austrian Diamond DA42T 2020 by transformation of the Mil and Kamov decreased by 42%. Speaking at the event, the head of
trainers, Bell 407 helicopters, and Mil company; Kamov will be Perhaps the greatest advantage Russia’s Federal Service for military
Forpost unmanned aerial vehicles. disbanded and its departments will of the merger will be cost technical cooperation, Dmitry
The LMS tender process had one join the new centre. reduction, but there is a fear Shugayev said the African order
standout ambiguity that the other Integration of the design bureaus that the weaker partner, Kamov, book for Russian weapon systems
competitor was UWCA, the holding started back in 2007 when Mil and will be consumed by the new stands at $14 billion; one quarter
company of Baikal Engineering. Kamov became part of Russian structure and eventually vanish: a of all orders for the Russian arms.
Staff designing the new aircraft Helicopters. In 2015, Kamov was major disadvantage. However, the majority of the figures
come from UZGA and the Moscow moved from Ukhtomskaya, where Russian Helicopter’s come from just two countries,
management promises to save Algeria and Egypt. Orders from the
both of the original design bureaus sub-Sahara countries amount to
and to keep Mil and Kamov in just $2 billion where Russia is mainly
designations of new helicopters. in competition with China.
Kamov may survive thanks to Much stir was caused by the visit
its niche products, which Mil of two Tu-160 Blackjack strategic
never dealt with. Currently at bombers to South Africa during the
the advanced stage of its design Sochi summit; the bombers were
process is the Minoga (lamprey) supported by an An-124 transport
multi-role maritime helicopter, and an Il-62M passenger aircraft.
successor to the Ka-27. Tu-160 RF-94102 (02 red) Vasily
Reshetnikov and RF-94112 (04
To Africa with love, and red) Ivan Yarygin departed Engels
bombers. Air Base, their permanent base,
The Black Sea resort of Sochi refuelled over the Caspian Sea,
hosted the Russia-Africa then bound for the Indian Ocean to
Summit on October 23 and South Africa. After a 5,950 nautical
24, where Russian President mile (11,000km), 13-hour flight,
Vladimir Putin hosted leaders of the bombers landed at Air Force
A mock-up of the AHL helicopter. Piotr Butowski 43 African countries. Base Waterkloof. The Tupolevs

18 | www.airinternational.com @ [email protected]
RUSSIA
were escorted into South African
airspace by three South African Air
Force Hawk Mk120 trainers and
two JAS 39 Gripen fighters.
Speaking at Waterkloof
Commanding officer of Russia’s
Long-Range Aviation, Lieutenant
General Sergey Kobylash said the
primary reason for the flight was to
train crews on long-range missions
and improve co-operation with the
South African Air Force.
Russia periodically deploys its
heavy bombers to conduct out-
of-area operations as a power-
projection capability, but this was
the first such visit to Africa. Notable
international visits by Russian
strategic bombers in recent years
were two Tu-95MS bombers to
Indonesia in December 2017, and
two Tu-160 bombers to Venezuela
in December 2018; other Tu-160s
visited Venezuela in 2008 and 2013.

Turkish Su-35s?
Ankara-based newspaper the Daily This Su-35S, RF-81719 (52 red) is the type recently presented to Turkish officials at Ataturk Airport, Istanbul. Piotr Butowski
Sabath, referring to local sources
reported on October 25 that Turkey presentation to Turkish officials Superjet 100 (SSJ100) airliners. in late October that Russia wanted
is close to reaching a deal with including the Minister of Industry In exchange, the Norwegian Egypt to buy 15 Superjets. In return
Moscow over the purchase of and Technology Mustafa Varank company has requested clearance Russia would agree to resume
Su-35 fighter jets as well as co- and the President of Defence to fly from Europe to Asia along charter flights from Russia to the
manufacturing some components Industries İsmail Demir. the Trans-Siberian route and to resorts at Hurghada and Sharm-el-
of the Russian-made jets. As many However, on October 29, the allow a discount for payment of Sheikh. Flights to the two resorts
as 48 Su-35 fighters are reported to Turkish Minister of Defence Hulusi such flights. On the same day were suspended in 2015 after the
be involved. Akar called the reports about the Norwegian Air Shuttle denied the explosion of a bomb aboard a
Russia is very interested in selling purchase of the Su-35 a lie, re- existence of such a memorandum. Russian aircraft departing Egypt.
its combat aircraft to Turkey after affirming that Turkey is a partner in The company’s press officer said: Similarly, Kazakhstan wants
the Euro-Asian nation purchased the F-35 programme. Time will tell “We can confirm we held meetings Russian clearance for extending the
S-400 air-defence systems. on the latter. with Russian authorities and the exemption from duty on imported
During MAKS 2019 at Zhukovsky SSJ manufacturer, but we did not Airbus A320 and Boeing 737
in August, Turkish President Recep Norwegian Superjets? sign any agreements.” airliners and larger types to 2032;
Tayyip Erdoğan watched the Su-35 On October 25, Russian newspaper Away from the Norwegian Kazakhstan remains bound by the
and the next-generation Su-57, RBC reported that low-cost rumour, linking Superjet sales with customs union with Russia. The
while in mid-September a Su-35 carrier Norwegian Air Shuttle had general concessions is not a new Russians are intent on restoration
took part in Teknofest 2019 at concluded a memorandum of practice. Russia’s head of Russia’s of the duty to protect their own
Ataturk Airport, Istanbul. During the understanding with the Sukhoi Civil Ministry of Industry and aircraft of similar class, the Irkut
event, the Su-35 made a separate Aircraft Company for 40 Sukhoi Trade, Denis Manturov said MC-21. Negotiations continue.

The most recent SSJ100 Superjet delivered


was to Azimuth airline in October 2019
involving aircraft RA-89120 (msn 95174).
Azimuth airlines

www.facebook.com/airinternationalmagazine www.airinternational.com | 19
UNITED STATES

Artist impressions of
the Bell Invictus 360.
Bell

FARA, FLRAA and


multi-domain
operations
20 | www.airinternational.com @ [email protected]
UNITED STATES

requirements. Brigadier General FARA represents FVL’s Capability Amongst the competitors,
By David C Isby Walter Rugen said that 2019 had Set 1, an attack-scout helicopter. the Sikorsky Raider-X2 is a
been “a breakout year in FVL” It will be limited to a 40ft (12.1m) scaled-up design based on
NEW US military rotorcraft will marked by, “a wonderful amount rotor span to allow it to operate in its S-97 coaxial rotor and
– starting in 2028 – increase of accomplishment … across four urban canyons. pusher propeller technology
capabilities to fight, manoeuvre lines of effort: FARA [Future Air The five competing FARA designs demonstrator. Sikorsky’s
and resupply forces as part of Reconnaissance Aircraft], FLRAA will be submitted for evaluation – in programme manager, Tim Malia
multi-domain operations (MDO), [Future Long Range Assault electronic form – to the Army in stressed the many changes
Army leaders said in Washington Aircraft], Future UAS [unmanned December. In March, two designs made to produce an operational
DC at the annual Army of the air system], all wrapped up in will be selected, and prototypes design while increasing the S-97’s
United States Association open system architecture.” Rugen will be built for a one-year fly-off performance. He said: “I still get
(AUSA) meeting on October heads the cross-functional team starting in 2023, the last three goose bumps every time I see
14-16. The Future Vertical Lift (CFT) of the US Army’s Futures months of which will be conducted this helicopter fly. The propeller
(FVL) programme – a family Command that is working on FVL. by military pilots. Once a winner is at the back can be used for rapid
of rotorcraft designs (defined decided in 2024, FARA may become acceleration or deceleration.”
by five different categories as FARA a programme of record. If so, the The Bell 360 Invictus combines
capability sets) – is intended The FARA – the first FVL effort first unit will be equipped in 2028 a wing (for lift at high speeds)
to replace legacy helicopters – is a replacement for the now- with initial operational capability with coaxial rotors. A clean-
as one of the Army’s top six retired OH-58D Kiowa Warrior planned for 2030. Affordability, both sheet design, it incorporates
modernization priorities while (AH-64E Apaches are currently in procurement and sustainment, is technologies developed for
also meeting other services’ filling the Kiowa Warrior’s role). a key parameter. civil helicopters to increase

www.facebook.com/airinternationalmagazine www.airinternational.com | 21
UNITED STATES
technologies in each where we
could do further development.”
The V-280 test programme has
logged 135 flight test hours and
200 rotor hours. Bell’s programme
manager Ryan Ehinger reckons
the V-280 has proven as agile as a
UH-60 Black Hawk. He said: “The
program will expand to include
autonomy testing later this year.”
The potential for both manned
and autonomous flight is an
objective for all FVL designs.
Identifying and correcting
gearbox problems with the
SB>1 has delayed the flight test
programme: three hours logged
so far. Boeing’s programme
manager, Ken Eland, cautioned:
“It’s not the number of hours but
things that we can accomplish
that counts at this point in the
test programme, expanding the
flight envelope with the objective
affordability and according to Bell’s FLRAA prevent FVL progress; these will hold of demonstrating 250-280 knots
FVL director, Frank Lazarra “provide The Army issued a request for spending at FY2019 levels and block cruise speed.”
a high technical readiness level.” information (RFI) to industry in April new starts. The US Marine Corps, looking
Karem Aircraft, after 2019 for the FLRAA, to meet the Two FLRAA competitors will for a replacement for its Bell
considering at a tiltrotor design, performance parameters set out in likely include operational versions UH-1Y utility and AH-1Z attack
instead is offering a helicopter FVL Capability Set 3. A replacement of the Bell V-280 tiltrotor and helicopters, opened the Attack
with co-axial rotors, a pusher for the Sikorsky UH-60 Black Hawk, the Boeing-Sikorsky SB>1 Defiant Utility Replacement Aircraft
propeller, and tilting wings. The FLRAA is planned to closely follow compound rotor helicopter, (dubbed AURA) programme on
design by the AUX team features the FARA into development, with which are both currently flying September 16 by issuing a RFI.
a wing, coaxial rotors and twin first unit equipped in 2030. But under the Joint Multirole AURA must be capable of 295
ducted fans, with the digital Congress’ failure to pass legislation, Rotorcraft – Technology knots cruise speed with a 450
capability required by the US even though FY2020 started on Demonstration (JMR-TD) nautical mile unrefuelled radius
Army provided by teammate L3 October 1, has the potential to programme. The Army’s Program of action; higher performance
Harris Technologies’ advanced impose delays. Rugen was among Executive Officer for Aviation, specifications than those
electronics. Boeing’s design has the many Army leaders emphasizing Major General Thomas Todd associated with Capability Set
not been revealed. how continuing resolutions will said: “We would like to target 3, to enable the AURA design to

22 | www.airinternational.com @ [email protected]
UNITED STATES
Artist impressions of the FAARA
competitor by AUX/L3 Harris.
AUX

operate with Bell-Boeing MV-22 moving targets at night at up to General David Francis spent US armed services; the Army
Osprey tiltrotors. Some teams 14 nautical mile (25km) range. 2019 determining how to take wants a battery of such weapons
planning to compete for FLRAA Discussing the missile shots, Chief an Aviation force currently by FY2023.
may also offer the Marines a Warrant Officer 4 Scott Durrer of optimized for counter-insurgency, Together, MDO and MDC2
modified version for AURA. the 82nd Combat Aviation Brigade while retaining a commitment will have to be part of a joint
said: “The trajectory is different. to undertake multi-domain and multinational – US airpower
Army aviation programmes A longer range stand-off missile, operations by 2028. does not fight without its
The Army has started deploying cued to the target area, allows He said: “MDO is a concept, not friends and allies – effort lasting
operational DVE (degraded visual you to start the fight from further doctrine yet because we cannot years to produce an effective
environment) equipment to enable handoff, such as from a UAV execute it. We will turn it into operational capability. A starting
helicopters to land in brownout as part of manned-unmanned doctrine as quickly as we can.” point will be NATO Exercise
and whiteout conditions. Sierra training.” The Army’s MDO will have to Defender 2020 scheduled for
Nevada supplied DVE equipment, Postponing the CH-47F mesh with the US Air Force’s multi- the spring of 2020. The exercise
ordered in 2016, is being retrofitted Chinook Block 2 upgrade is domain command and control will include command post drills
to 15 UH-60M medical evacuation intended to free up money to fund (MDC2), which is being developed simulating the MDO capabilities
helicopters and will be completed the FVL. It is uncertain Congress separately. Both the Army’s MDO required by 2028. These drills
by the end of the year. will agree. and the Air Force’s MDC2 define will include a simulated unit
The Army has started rebuilding However, MH-47G models capabilities – and threats – in equipped with FARAs.
the 101st Air Assault Division’s assigned to Special Operations terms of networks of systems. Exercise Defender 2020 will
capability to move a full brigade of Command will all be upgraded Land and sea-launch long- involve the largest movement
troops in a single night. Funding to Block 2 configuration. This range missiles and those from of troops from the US to Europe
reductions had led to the division’s will help make the Block 2 submarines will help defeat since the Cold War. Over 20,000
fleet of CH-47F Chinook medium configuration available for the threats posed to US airpower. personnel will be airlifted,
helicopters being cut back, but current UK and UAE procurements This is nothing new. To cite just most by the US Air Force’s Air
the numbers have been increased and – if the CH-47 Chinook wins one example, US Navy offensive Mobility Command. Five forcible
back to 12, and eventually their current competitions – Israel air operations have for decades entry scenarios will be staged
increased to 48. and Germany. In addition, Boeing’s counted on Tomahawk Land in Poland, the Baltic States
Army test firings of the Israeli programme manager for the Attack Missiles to clear a path for and Georgia. These events will
Rafael Spike-NLOS (non line of Chinook, Chuck Dabundo said: manned aircraft. include AMC transport aircraft
sight) missile from AH-64 Apaches “France has held lots of discussions The US Army’s top carrying out air assaults by units
at the Yuma Proving Ground, over the past couple of years, but modernization priority is precision from the 82nd Airborne Division
Arizona and in Israel, have proven its current budget does not have long-range fires, including and 173rd Airborne Brigade. The
successful, showing the value of room in it for Chinooks.” surface-to-surface missiles with US Army will not deploy any
designing FVL rotorcraft to carry longer ranges than any deployed US-based aviation units for the
long-range missiles. MDO and Defender 2020 since the height of the Cold War. exercise although the current
All of the Spike-NLOS missiles Head of the Army Aviation Development of hypersonic rotational unit in Europe, the 3rd
fired hit their targets, including Center of Excellence, Major missiles is underway by all three CAB, will participate.

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ASIA
second phase of the programme The upgrade will include F-15J assets will better enable
By Nigel Pittaway to develop the capability as a the replacement of the F-15Js Japan to respond to airborne
replacement for its F-4 and existing Raytheon APG-63(v)1 threats and defend airspace.”
JAPAN, SOUTH Korea and the Northrop F-5 Tiger II fleets. active electronically scanned The JASDF currently operates
Philippines are all looking to Finally, the Philippines array (AESA), with the APG-82(v)1 around 200 Eagles, comprising
upgrade existing capabilities or government is continuing to multi-mode AESA radar now single-seat F-15Js and twin-
introduce new ones in coming overhaul its run-down defence being fitted to the US Air Force’s seat F-15DJs, with the majority
months and years and a range capabilities with the imminent F-15E Strike Eagles under the radar assembled in Japan by MHI.
of announcements made arrival of six Embraer A-29 Super modernisation programme. In October, Japan’s Ministry of
during October have provided Tucano light attack aircraft. In Other equipment specified Defense announced a ‘Farewell
more details. other news, the government in the $4.5 billion deal includes to the F-4 Phantom’ airshow will
The Japan Air Self Defense has also announced it will Honeywell Advanced Display be staged at Hyakuri Air Base in
Force (JASDF) has announced acquire single examples of the Core Processor II (ADCP II) the Ibaraki Prefecture northeast
it will upgrade almost 100 Gulfstream G280 business jet mission computers, BAE Systems of Tokyo, on December 1, 2019.
McDonnell Douglas/Mitsubishi and Airbus Defence and Space ALQ-239 Digital Electronic Two JASDF squadrons currently
Heavy Industries F-15J Eagle C295 transport for command and Warfare System units and fly the venerable Phantom from
fighters to significantly enhance control missions. Rockwell Collins ARC-210 radios. Hyakuri, 301 Hikotai (Tactical
the aircraft’s air defence capability. While Boeing will be the prime Fighter Squadron) equipped with
However, on the debit side of Upgraded Eagle and contractor for the FMS portion the F-4EJ and 501 Hikotai with the
the ledger, Japan’s Ministry of Phantom farewell of the work, MHI will assume the RF-4E. A third Phantom unit, 302
Defense is retiring the remaining On October 29, 2019, the US lead contractor role for the direct Hikotai, was disbanded at Hyakuri
McDonnell F-4 Phantoms from Defense Security Co-operation commercial sale elements. in March 2019, prior to standing
service and is due to hold a Agency (DSCA) advised that The DSCA notification up as a Lockheed Martin F-35A
‘farewell’ airshow for the type in Washington has approved a said: “This proposed sale will Lightning II unit at Misawa Air Base.
early December. potential Foreign Military Sales provide Japan a critical air The F-4 Phantom entered service
South Korea unveiled a full-scale (FMS) contract to upgrade 98 defence capability to assist in Japan in 1971 and the final
mock-up of its KF-X fighter at the of the JADF’s F-15J fleet to in defending the Japanese two squadrons are expected to
recent ADEX exhibition in October Japanese Super Interceptor homeland and US personnel relinquish their last aircraft by the
and is also set to launch the (JSI) configuration. stationed there. Modernised end of March 2020.

New capabilities for


Japan, Korea and
Philippines
Two F-4EJ Phantoms take off from Hyakuri Air Base. Nigel Pittaway

24 | www.airinternational.com @ [email protected]
ASIA

Phantoms forever! Nigel Pittaway

KF-X progress the second phase of the KF-X Embraer Defense and Security Speaking to local media,
Korea Aerospace Industries acquisition programme in 2021, signed the contract for the six Philippines Department of National
unveiled a full-size mock-up marking a RoKAF order for an aircraft in late 2017, and the Defense spokesman Arsenio
of its proposed KF-X fighter at initial batch of 40 aircraft. estimated PHP 4.968 billion Andolong said: “The G280 will
the recent Seoul International Quoting a Defense Acquisition funding is sourced via the Armed primarily serve as a platform
Aerospace and Defence Program Administration forces of the Philippines AFP to carry our senior leaders and
Exhibition, dubbed ADEX 2019, spokesman, Yonhap reported Modernisation Trust Fund. commanders in a crisis situation,
in the presence of South Korean that the Republic of Korea Gulfstream Aerospace for example it can be used by the
Prime Minister Lee Nak-yeon on National Assembly had voted to Corporation announced on Chief of Staff, the Secretary of
October 15, 2019. allocate KRW 3.99 trillion (around October 2, 2019 it has won a National Defence, our major service
The unveiling follows $3.35 billion) of funding for the contract with the Philippine Air commanders and the president.”
completion of a critical design programme over five years. Force, via the US government’s Local media reports on October
review of the home-grown fighter foreign military sales programme, 7, 2019, suggested the PAF is
in September 2019. New kit for the Philippine for the purchase of one G280 also to receive a single Airbus
The Republic of Korea Air Force Air Force mid-size cabin business jet. C295 aircraft, also configured for
(RoKAF) plans to acquire up to Local media reported on October President of Gulfstream, command and control operations,
120 examples of the production 10, 2019, that the six Embraer Mark Burns said: “The G280’s with delivery expected in the first
version of the KF-X towards the A-29 Super Tucano aircraft on unmatched performance, backed- half of 2020. The aircraft will also
end of the next decade as a order for the Philippine Air Force up by our world-renowned be used for maritime patrol and
replacement for its ageing F-4 (PAF) will be delivered during the customer support makes it an transport missions.
Phantom and F-5 Tiger fleets. The first quarter of next year, possibly agile and reliable platform for the Airbus Defence and Space has
prototype is expected to make by the end of February 2020. Philippine Air Force.” previously delivered three C295Ms
its maiden flight in first quarter The aircraft will be used by the The aircraft, to be delivered in in transport configuration to the
of 2022 with an operationally PAF on counter insurgency and August 2020, will be configured Philippine Air Force. The company
representative aircraft planned to close air support operations in with a VIP cabin, but a defence has yet to publicly acknowledge
follow in 2026. support of Philippine Army units spokesperson told local reporters the latest order, however a
On October 7, 2019, Korea’s and will supplement, or possibly on October 8, that the aircraft fourth aircraft was noted at the
Yonhap news agency reported replace, the current fleet of North will be used for command and manufacturer’s facility in Seville in
that Seoul plans to initiate American OV-10 Bronco aircraft. control missions. May 2019.

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MILITARY F-35 LIGHTNING II

F-35
Same old song and dance
Mark Ayton reviews the latest news from the world’s largest
defence programme, the F-35 Lightning II fighter

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F-35 LIGHTNING II MILITARY

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MILITARY F-35 LIGHTNING II

Fast pass! Senior Airman Alexander Cook/US Air Force

D
uring a joint hearing of costs mount up placing additional budget breaking more often than planned and taking
the House Armed Service pressure on the programme. Two, US longer to fix. However, there are several
Committee titled ‘F-35 Federal law prevents a major defence suitability metrics that are showing signs of
Program Update: Sustainment, acquisition programme from proceeding improvement this year.
Production, and Affordability to full-rate production until the director “There are two phases of IOT&E
Challenges’ on November 13, Dr Robert of operational test and evaluation submits remaining. The first is electronic warfare
Behler, Director, Operational Test and a final report to the secretary of defense testing against robust surface-to-air threats
Evaluation at the United States Department and Congress following the conclusion at the Point Mugu Sea Range. The other
of Defense said the F-35’s Initial Operational of the testing process. On < TBC > Under is testing against dense surface and air
Test and Evaluation could not resume Secretary of Defense for Acquisition and threats in the Joint Simulation Environment
until mid-2020 at the earliest. F-35 IOT&E Sustainment, Ellen Lord signed off of a F-35 at Naval Air Station Patuxent River. I would
was placed on pause in < TBC > because programme deviation report documenting approve the start of these tests when the
development delays of the Joint Simulation the expected schedule threshold breach necessary test infrastructure is ready. The
Environment used to evaluate the F-35 in in the Milestone C full-rate production Joint Simulation Environment is essential,
robust threat scenarios. Based at Edwards decision of up to 13 months. Until then, low- a man-in-the-loop synthetic environment
Air Force Base, California, the Joint rate initial production will continue through that uses actual [F-35] aircraft software.
Operational Test Team started F-35 IOT&E in Lot 12, Lot 13 and Lot 14. It is designed to provide scalable, high-
December 2018 and expected to complete Testifying, Dr Robert Behler said: “So fidelity, operationally realistic simulation. I
its test programme during the summer of far the Joint Operational Test Team has would like to emphasize that the JSE will
2019. A fully functioning Joint Simulation conducted 91% of the open air test missions, be the only venue available other than
Environment is a critical system requirement actual weapons employment, cybersecurity actual combat against peer adversaries. To
for completion of the F-35’s IOT&E. While testing, deployments and comparison testing adequately evaluate the F-35, due to the
the JSE remains incomplete, IOT&E remains with fourth-generation fighters, including the inherent limitations of open-air testing,
on pause. So what’s incomplete after so congressionally directed comparison test of these limitations do not permit a full and
many years of development devoted to the F-35A and the A-10C. IOT&E events have adequate test of the aircraft against the
the F-35? Lockheed Martin and the US assessed the F-35 across a variety of offensive required types and density of modern
Department of Defense’s agencies are and defensive roles. Operational suitability threat systems, including weapons, aircraft,
behind schedule in integrating a simulated of the F-35 fleet remains below service and electronic warfare that are currently
model of the F-35 air vehicle, its systems expectations. Test results show that neither fielded by our near-peer adversaries.
and weapons into the JSE. the F-35B nor the F-35C are currently on Integrating the F-35 into the JSE is a very
As a result of the pause at least two big track to meet ORD reliability or maintainability complex challenge, but is required to
issues arise. One, with the very expensive requirements when they attain flight-hour complete IOT&E, which will lead to my final
IOT&E programme on pause running maturity. In short, for all variants, aircraft are IOTE report.

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F-35 LIGHTNING II MILITARY

Based on the current schedule, Behler does


not expect the JSE to be ready to start final
phase of operational testing until July 2020.
Also testifying, F-35 Program Executive
Officer, Lieutenant General Eric Fick said:
“We’re not only integrating the F-35 in a box
into this environment, we’re also integrating
all of the blue and red threat vehicles —
ground systems, airborne systems, weapons,
electronic warfare — and all of the things
needed to bring a full 8-on-8 [aircraft]
or greater scenario to life in a synthetic
environment. We’re trying to come as close to
a combat environment without putting iron in
the sky.”
According to Ellen Lord: “The F-35
Autonomic Logistics Information System
[ALIS] is a key enabler for tactical and
operational availability and sadly, as
presently constituted, ALIS is not delivering
the capabilities the warfighter needs. The
department is progressing towards a future
ALIS developed and sustained utilizing agile
software development techniques designed
to rapidly deliver flexible applications on a An F-35A breaks away from the tanker during Exercise Agile Lightning. SSgt Chris Thornbury/US Air Force
modern secure architecture.” Major shortfalls
include non-timely delivery of spare parts Chair of the House Armed Services long end of the leather, and the government
and difficulty in its use, especially at remote readiness subcommittee, Rep. John has been on the short end of the leather,
locations and on board amphibious warships. Garamendi (D-California) said the F-35 is that’s going to change.”
In addition, Robert Behler said integration plagued by high operating costs, inadequate Ellen Lord affirmed that the Pentagon is at
of ALIS on board an aircraft carrier has repair capacity, spare part shortages and least a year away from giving consideration to
challenges due to weight and power, while poor replacement part reliabilities, ongoing asking for approval for awarding F-35 multi-
General Fick said problems remain with challenges running the Autonomic Logistics year contracts.
data transfer between the aircraft and an Information System which compounds spare Fifteen days before testifying to the
amphibious ship. According to the Director part problems. Garamendi also highlighted House Armed Service Committee, Ellen
of defence capabilities at the Government that the F-35 programme’s acquisition costs Lord announced an agreement between the
Accountability Office, Diana Maurer, during are currently expected to exceed $406 billion, Department of Defense and Lockheed Martin
FY2019 F-35s were only able to perform and sustainment costs are estimated to for three low-rate initial production lots for
one of many potential missions less than exceed $1 trillion. a total of 478 aircraft and $34 billion; Lot 12
two-thirds of the time and all missions only Garamendi all but squashed any hope of a (149), Lot 13 (160), and Lot 14 (169). By variant
one-third of the time, and that for about multi-year contract being awarded until the the agreement covers 351 F-35A CTOLs, 86
30% of time, F-35s can’t fly because parts fundamental questions that have been asked F-35B STOVLs and 41 F-35C CVs. With so
are breaking more often than expected and thus far, and several that have not yet been many ongoing problems still rattling around
maintenance write-ups are taking twice as put on the table have been resolved. He said: the rafters of the F-35 house, let’s hope the
long as expected to fix. “Heretofore, the contractors have had the warranties of these jets are enforceable.

33rd Fighter Wing F-35As at Volk Field, Wisconsing during Northern Lightning 2019. Airman Heather Leveille/US Air Force

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MILITARY F-35 LIGHTNING II

Strike Fighter Squadron 147 (VFA-147) ‘Argonauts’ is the US Navy’s first operational F-35C unit. Chief Petty Officer Shannon Renfroe/US Navy

What about the unit costs of the air vehicle 8.7% full mission capable rate, according to an validation and verification process prior
and its F135 engine? The combined air vehicle official F-35 ITF chart acquired by the Project to laser shock peening.
and engine cost is referred to as the unit on Government Oversight. The chart provided The 16,000-square-foot facility comprises
recurring flyaway cost or URF. The F-35 Joint aircraft availability rates from December 2018 two bays, where the actual laser shock
Program Office expects the URF to continue through to mid-July. Since IOT&E started peening process will take place, and a
to fall over the next three years. Price tag for on December 5, 2018, the 23 aircraft test connected area that will house the laser
an F-35A is expected to drop from $89.2 to fleet bottomed-out with a 4.7% full mission generator. The state-of-the-art process
$77.9 million in 2022; F-35B from $115.5 to capable rate in May, against a monthly will allow FRCE to conduct heavy structure
$101.3 million; and F-35C from $107.7 million average of 11%. modifications that will strengthen areas of
to $94.4 million. According to General Fick Marine Corps Air Station Cherry the F-35’s airframe without disassembling the
the price tag of a Pratt & Whitney F135 engine Point, North Carolina is home to Fleet entire aircraft.
is not declining at the same rate as the rest of Readiness Center East (FRCE), a depot- The process strengthens designs without
the aircraft. Pratt & Whitney’s chief flack, John level maintenance facility for Navy and adding additional metal or weight, which
Thomas reckons the company cut the price Marine Corps types including the F-35. increases the aircraft’s life and reduces
of the F135 engine by more than half between It now has an F-35 laser shock peening maintenance costs. It has been used on the
2009 and 2018, with ongoing single-digit facility which will use laser technology to F-22 Raptor and in manufacturing aircraft
percentage cost cuts from order to order. He strengthen F-35 structural components; components including engine blades, but
said: “Deeper cost reductions would only be the facility will become fully operational has never been employed for the F-35. FRCE
possible through major technology and design in 2020. In June 2020, the first F-35 will use the technology to help Marine Corps
upgrades.” aircraft will be inducted to undergo the aircraft reach their full life limit.
In early October, Pratt & Whitney
announced a US Department of Defense Department of the Navy’s F-35C transition plan
contract award valued at $5.7 billion for 332 Squadron Name Status Air Wing Base
F135 engines; the power plants for aircraft in
low-rate initial production Lot 12 and Lot 13. VFA-147 Argonauts in work up CVW-2 USS Carl Vinson cruise in
Based at Edwards Air Force Base, California, 2021
the F-35 Joint Operational Test Team has a VMFA-314 Black Knights operational in FY2020 CVW-17 MCAS Miramar in FY2020
fleet of 23 aircraft assigned, comprising 8
F-35As (including two Dutch jets), 9 F-35Bs VFA-97 Warhawks operational in FY2022 CVW-5 MCAS Iwakuni, Japan in
(including three UK jets) and 6 F-35Cs. All 23 FY2024
were manufactured in the early low-rate initial VMFA-311 Tomcats operational in FY2025 MCAS Miramar
production lots and had received a series
of upgrades to operationally representative
configuration prior to the start of IOT&E. That VFA-115 Eagles operational in FY2025 NAS Lemoore
said, some of the aircraft remain configured
VMFA-115 Silver Eagles operational in FY2026 MCAS Beaufort
with specific flight test systems and
instrumentation. Given the fleet’s operational
VFA-151 Vigilantes operational in FY2027 NAS Lemoore
test programme, so crucial to the entire F-35
programme it’s surprising to discover that in
June, the 23 aircraft test fleet achieved an VMFA-251 Thunderbolts operational in FY2028 MCAS Beaufort

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F-35 LIGHTNING II MILITARY

Aircraft maintenance personnel at FRCE


will conduct preparation work and some
structural modification on the F-35s inducted
into the depot, then turn them over to the
contractor running the laser shock peening
operations. The contractor will complete
the process to strengthen the bulkheads and
airframes without adding weight, and FRCE
will re-assemble the jets, perform functional
check flights and return them to the fleet.
In laser shock peening, the surface of the
media is first coated with an ablative layer
and covered with a water tamping layer. A
high-energy laser beam is fired at the metal,
which creates an area of plasma on the
metal’s surface. The impact creates a shock
wave, which travels through the metal, and
compressive residual stresses remain. This
compression helps improve the metal’s
damage tolerance, fatigue life and strength.
The process creates a square laser beam,
and the intensity is consistent across the
entire laser beam. Using a grid pattern, square
lasers are stacked up right beside each other
so the entire surface of the part is completely
uniform without weak spots in between that The first US Air Force F-35A combat sortie was flown from Al Dhafra Air Base in the UAE on April 26, 2019.
would then induce cracking later. TSgt Jocelyn Ford/US Air Force
Laser shock peening will be a main focus
of the F-35 line for the next four to five years to declaration of initial operational capability to-ground training that is employed at the
completing modifications to the remaining (IOC) at the end of next year. Additional F-35A Salt Ash Air Weapons Range.”
jets in the F-35B fleet that require this aircraft will be added to the V&V programme On July 15, two Royal Australian Air Force
treatment. The F-35C fleet will be processed as they are delivered to Australia. pilots conducted their first training mission
by Ogden Air Force Base in Utah. Heather Commander of Air Combat Group (ACG), on the F-35A after completing a two-month
Wilburn, Fleet Readiness Center Air Commodore Michael Kitcher said: “In academic and simulator transition training
December 2020, Australia will have up to program at Williamtown.
Australia 33 aircraft, established a sovereign training Speaking about the mission, Officer
By the end of 2019, the Royal Australian Air capability and completed verification and Commanding 3 Squadron, Wing Commander
Force’s Air Combat Group expects to have validation of the Australian F-35A capability. Darren Clare said: “Although we currently
eight F-35As at RAAF Base Williamtown in New By the end of 2020, one operational still send pilots to the United States [Luke Air
South Wales and over 30 jets by the end of squadron [3 Squadron] will be proficient in Force Base, Arizona] for training, this shows
2020. In January, the first two aircraft delivered air combat, strike and offensive air support, Australia is quickly becoming self-sufficient
on December 10, 2018 commenced flight and ready to deploy in support of Australia’s and it all contributes to our F-35A squadrons
operations. Many of the flights flown to date national interests.” reaching combat readiness as planned. The
are part of the F-35A Lightning II Verify and In May, up to four F-35As started the first introduction of a fifth-generation aircraft
Validation programme (V&V) designed to verify phase of weapons training at the Salt Ash Air and all of its new systems has been highly
and validate the entire F-35A system in the Weapons Range. Commander Air Combat complex. It has only been since January
Australian operating environment. Specifically, Group, Group Captain Harvey Reynolds that we started testing out how the F-35A
the V&V programme will assess the F-35A said: “The initial training runs would involve integrated with the Australian logistics, base
air system against F-35A initial operating a series of dry passes over the range, and be support and local training systems.”
capability (IOC) requirements, including: followed by gunnery activities. The weapons On August 2, Australian Defence Minister
functionality with Australian logistics, base training programme will include practising Linda Reynolds announced a five-year,
support and local training systems, assessment F-35A weapons loading and unloading AUD $91 million contract between the
of processes and procedures, producing procedures, and gunnery practice which Ministry of Defence and Lockheed Martin
required sortie generation rates, i.e. number remains an essential skill for fighter aircrew. Australia dubbed the Autonomic Logistics
of flights per day and weapons events and The Air Force has a responsibility to ensure Information System Integration (ALIS),
live-firing exercises. The V&V programme personnel are ready and able to deploy at Maintenance and Administration Services
will continue through 2020 in the build-up short notice and this involves necessary air- (IMAS) contract. Under the contract,
Lockheed Martin Australia will provide
mission combat system support and cyber
accreditation for Australia’s F-35 program.
Linda Reynolds said: “This is a significant
milestone towards achieving initial operating
capability for the F-35A. It delivers a more
responsive and cost-effective solution for
key aspects of Australian F-35A maintenance
management, and will create up to 60 jobs in the
Canberra, Adelaide, Hunter and Katherine regions. 
Lockheed Martin Australia, CEO Scott
Thompson told Australia’s Defence Connect:
“Our new contracts with the Department of
Defence are a world first and are an important
step in developing fifth-generation sovereign
capability, providing an opportunity for
potentially billions of dollars’ worth of new
sustainment contracts for local industry.”
Air Commodore Damien Keddie, Director-
F-35Bs assigned to VMFA-122 on board USS America (LHA 6) in October. LCpl Juan Anaya/US Marine Corps General Joint Strike Fighter Division told

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MILITARY F-35 LIGHTNING II

at both Florennes, currently home of 1 and


350 Squadrons under 2 Wing, and Kleine
Brogel Air Base, currently home of 31 and 349
Squadrons under 10 Wing. All 34 aircraft will
be delivered by 2030.
New infrastructure will be constructed
at Florennes to support F-35 operations
including squadron buildings, training facilities
with four flight simulators and maintenance
hangars for six aircraft; similar facilities will
also be constructed at Kleine Brogel.

Denmark
Denmark’s acquisition of the F-35A,
announced on June 9, 2016, currently
comprises 27 aircraft, a number that might
be increased in order to permanently base
at least four of the fleet at Thule Air Base,
Greenland to counter potential Russian
threats to the island.
According to the Danish Ministry of
Defence, parts of Greenland will soon be
within reach of Russian aircraft, capable
of breaching Greenland’s airspace
without hindrance. The Danish Ministry of
Defence reckons that Russia’s military build-
up in the Arctic involves tanker aircraft and
Italian F-35As over Iceland during the type’s first NATO deployment in September. Aeronautica Militaire fighter jets based at Nagurskoye Air Base on
the Arctic island of Alexandra Land located
Defence Connect: “These agreements are Belgian Defence Minister, Steven Vandeput about 1,000 kilometres from the coast of
the next stage in maturing the sovereign said the F-35 beat the other contenders in all Greenland.
maintenance and sustainment programme for seven selection criteria. In Denmark, acquisition of 27 F-35As will
Australia’s F-35 capability and the sovereign Secretary of the Air Force, Barbara Barrett ensure Denmark has freedom of action and
sustainment and capability for Australia. This is selected Luke Air Force Base, Arizona, the ability to assert Danish sovereignty, to
important for supporting the ALIS agreement as a candidate to host a Belgium F-35A be deployed on international operations
is particularly important because working Formal Training Unit, for up to seven years, and contribute to NATO’s collective defence
with Lockheed Martin Australia enables us starting in 2023. She said: “Because of of Danish and allied territory. The Danish
to keep the mission data and fidelity of the Luke’s infrastructure and its experience in government said the F-35A ranked higher
information generated by Australia’s JSFs in hosting international F-35 customers, Luke is than all other competing types in all four
our hands while supporting the development uniquely suited to provide an optimal training major requirements; strategic, military,
of Australia’s sovereign industry.” environment for our Belgian allies.” economic and industrial.
The Belgian Air Component’s transition The Kongelige Danske Flyvevåben (Royal
Belgium from the F-16 to the F-35 will take place Danish Air Force) plans to introduce its F-35s
October 25, 2018 was the day that the Belgian between 2023 and 2030. Luke will receive to service between 2021 and 2026 such that
government announced it had selected the the first Belgian Air Component F-35As in all national tasks can be undertaken by the
F-35A Lightning II as its next-generation 2023 and a further four in 2024. The eight new fighter from 2024 before the last F-16
fighter; the 13th country to do so. The US aircraft are expected to be delivered from aircraft will be phased out by the end of the
State Department had approved the deal Luke to Florennes Air Base in 2025. The year, ensuring Denmark’s quick reaction alert
with an estimated value of $6.5 billion for 34 Belgian Air Component has not confirmed can be continuously maintained. A deployed
aircraft. During the official announcement, how many squadrons will operate the F-35A limited combat capability is expected in 2025

An F-35B assigned to VMFA-


211 conducts a vertical
landing on board USS Essex
(LHD 2) in the Arabian Gulf.
Mass Communication Specialist
Adam Brock/US Navy

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F-35 LIGHTNING II MILITARY

Vapour and vortices swirl around the top of an F-35A during a high-performance demonstration. Senior Airman Alexander Cook/US Air Force

followed by the full combat capability from Keflavik to safeguard the integrity of NATO under the Servizio Sorveglianza Spazio Aereo
2027. Consequently, the Kongelige Danske air space, and strengthen surveillance activity (Air Space Surveillance Service) mission.
Flyvevåben will be unable to conduct any in Icelandic air space. Four aircraft flew to Using its brand new fighter for a NATO-
international commitments with a full combat Keflavik on September 24 supported by a led mission enables the Aeronautica Militaire
capability between 2022 and 2024 and with KC-767 tanker, followed by another two on to evaluate the F-35 while operating from
only limited combat capability through 2026. September 25. a different base with significantly different
Flyvestation Skrydstrup, is the base selected Organised as Task Force Air 32nd weather conditions to those at Amendola
by the Danish government to base its fleet of Wing, led by Italy’s Comando Operativo following different procedures under a
F-35s; the base is currently being upgraded to di Vertice Interforze (Joint Operation different chain of command, a significant
the standard require to operate the Lightning II. Command), the Italian contingent also milestone ahead of the type’s final operating
The Danish government has estimated included Task Group Lightning, an Air capability declaration.
the acquisition cost of its F-35 fleet over the Defence Controller team from Comando
phase in period between 2021 and 2026 to be Operazioni Aeree (Air Operations Japan
DKK 20 billion. Command) based at Poggio-Renatico; the On April 9, Japan lost F-35A 79-8705 (c/n
latter conducted in cooperation with the AX-05) in the Pacific Ocean during a training
Italy Icelandic Coast Guard. mission flown from Misawa Air Base with the
Italy is the first NATO nation to deploy the An Icelandic-specific initial operational tragic loss of pilot, Major Akinori Hosomi.
F-35 to Keflavik Air Base, Iceland for NATO’s capability was declared on October 1 followed Bound for a combat training mission with
interim air policing operation Northern by a final operational capability the following three other jets, Major Hosomi took off from
Lightning which started on October 2, 2019. day; a declaration of the contingent’s Misawa around 7pm and proceeded to the
This commitment is also the first in which the readiness to conduct the Icelandic air policing training area. At around 7.26pm ground
F-35A falls under the command and control mission. control told Major Hosomi to descend
of NATO. Armed with two AIM-120 AMRAAM missiles, to maintain separation from a US military
Six Aeronautica Militaire F-35As assigned this weapon load configuration is the standard aircraft some 36km away, but the F-35 kept
to 13° Gruppo, part of 32° Stormo based load out used back home at Amendola where descending and disappeared from the radar.
at Amendola Air Base in southeastern Italy, 13° Gruppo maintains a quick reaction alert Air Self-Defense Force investigators
deployed to maintain quick reaction alert at on a rotational basis with other fighter units concluded the crash was caused by spatial

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MILITARY F-35 LIGHTNING II

Chief Petty Officer Shannon Renfroe/US Navy

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F-35 LIGHTNING II MILITARY

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MILITARY F-35 LIGHTNING II

Chief of the Royal Norwegian Air Force, Major General Tonje Skinnarland declared the Kongelige Norske Luftforsvaret’s F-35A fleet operational on November 6.
Kongelige Norske Luftforsvaret

disorientation on the part of Major Hosomi with reinforced decks and systems required to facility at Cameri, Italy. The jet delivered to
and not by any mechanical problem. support F-35Bs. Both programmes are being Leeuwarden on October 31, serial number
Investigators found that Major Hosomi did not implemented to bolster Japan’s air defence F-009, is the first Italian-built Dutch F-35A.
have enough time to stabilize the aircraft after capability around its southern islands. The aircraft made its maiden flight from
a warning alarm sounded, and concluded Cameri on September 9 and was officially
Major Hosomi crashed without realizing his Netherlands rolled out three days later. The next jet off the
plane was barrelling toward the sea. The Royal Netherlands Air Force (Koninklijke assembly line, serial number F-010, took to
Misawa is home to 302 Hikotai, Japan’s first Luchtmacht or KLu) reached a major the air for the first time on November 4.
F-35A squadron, which began operations in milestone with the delivery of the first F-35A In recent years, the Netherlands has
March 2019. Lightning II to the Netherlands on October increased its defence spending in an effort
This was the second F-35 crash, the first 31. This was not the first KLu F-35A Lightning to meet its NATO obligations. In 2018,
involved Marine Fighter Attack Training Squadron II to touch down at a Dutch Air Case – Dutch NATO called for three operational Dutch
501 (VMFAT-501) F-35B BuNo 168057/VM01 F-35As based at Edwards Air Force Base, F-35 squadrons. With 15 F-35s projected
on September 28, 2018 near Marine Corps Air California previously visited the Netherlands for each squadron, 37 jets are inadequate
Station Beaufort, South Carolina. on two occasions; once in 2016 and earlier to equip three squadrons plus a training
Japan joined the F-35 club in December this year (see Bombing the Netherlands, unit. On October 8, the Ministry of Defence
2011 with an order for 42 F-35A jets. Last August, p10-11). What made this occasion confirmed plans to order nine additional
December, Japan’s Prime Minister Shinzo Abe special is that it marked the first F-35 delivery F-35As for the KLu before the end of 2019,
increased the F-35 order to 147 by requesting to a Netherlands-based squadron. bringing the total to 46. Another follow-on
an additional 63 F-35As and 42 F-35Bs from Although the Dutch requirement is for order will be necessary to fully meet the
the US government. Japan became the fourth more aircraft, due to budget limitations the NATO commitment. A Lockheed Martin
nation to opt for the short take-off, vertical government decided in September 2013 to representative recently suggested that a
landing variant of the F-35 Lightning II. limit the number of F-35As ordered to 37 – solution for the Netherlands might be the
Japan’s government plans to deploy F-35Bs including two test aircraft acquired in 2009 acquisition of F-35As that have been built
to its southern islands where runways of the and 2011. The first eight (serials F-001 to for Turkey, but will not be delivered because
length required by the F-35A are in short supply. F-008) had been delivered by May 2019 and the US government excluded Turkey from
In addition, the Japanese Ministry of Defence are permanently based in the United States for the F-35 programme in July after Turkey
now plans to modify its two Izumo-class multi- operational testing and pilot training. These took delivery of the Russian S-400 air
purpose operation destroyers, Izumo (DDH- were all built at Lockheed Martin’s facility at defence system.
183) and Kaga (DDH-184), currently in service Fort Worth, Texas. The remaining 29 will be At Leeuwarden, the first aircraft arrival
with the Japanese Maritime Self Defense Force built at the Final Assembly and Check-Out event on October 31 was attended by more

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F-35 LIGHTNING II MILITARY

than 2,000 invited guests, including Minister the logistic aspects develop. Of course we F-005 that completed the 500th sortie flown
of Defence Ank Bijleveld, State Secretary of benefit from the experience gained with our by the Dutch jets at Luke. And on October 8,
Defence Barbara Visser and KLu commander F-35s in the US, particularly at Edwards where the first operational Leeuwarden-based pilot
Lieutenant General Dennis Luyt. Also present we operate relatively independent as a Dutch graduated from the conversion course at
were politicians and many people from team.” Luke.
the military and industry involved in the Until the first F-35 squadron reaches initial At Edwards, 323 Test and Evaluation
F-35 project, plus inhabitants of the city of operational capability status towards the end Squadron continues to participate in the
Leeuwarden and villages surrounding the base. of 2021, two squadrons will operate side- much delayed IOT&E, a test programme that’s
The F-35 was flown to its home base by by-side at Leeuwarden: 322 (F-16) Squadron now likely to not be concluded until 2021.
Lieutenant Colonel Ian Knight, the recently continues to fly the old jets from the southern Consequently, F-35As F-001 and F-002 will
appointed commanding officer of the F-35 part of the air base, while 322 (F-35) Squadron not relocate to Luke at the end of this year
Squadron at Leeuwarden. Throughout its operates the new ones from the northern as originally foreseen, but remain committed
delivery flight, F-009 was accompanied by part. to operational testing until the conclusion
two KLu F-16BMs acting as chase plane Delivery of F-010 is scheduled before the of IOT&E. A decision has yet to be taken on
and photo ship. Upon arrival Knight made end of the year and F-011 should follow in whether the Netherlands will remain involved
a couple of low passes and a formation fly April or May 2020. The Cameri FACO will in F-35 operational testing beyond the end
past with three of its predecessors – an F-16, deliver eight F-35As to the KLu annually. Full of IOT&E. Aircraft F-002 is fully instrumented
Hawker Hunter and Spitfire – before landing operational capability (FOC) of 322 Squadron as a dedicated test aircraft, so it seems likely
on runway 23 at 1524hrs. After taxiing onto is scheduled in the first quarter of 2024. that the KLu will to some extent – if not
Leeuwarden’s northern platform, F-009 The first Volkel-based squadron will start permanently, then at least occasionally remain
received the usual hose-down treatment by converting to the F-35 in 2021 and initially at Edwards for follow-on operational test and
the air base fire brigade. Unfortunately, one operate from Leeuwarden to benefit from the evaluation. Kees van der Mark
of the crash tenders’ crew had accidently experience and infrastructure there, before
selected foam instead of water, so the F-35 relocating to Volkel in mid-2022. The final Norway
came to a standstill between the grandstands F-16s are slated for retirement in 2024. On November 6, Chief of the Royal
covered in foam. Since fire extinguishing foam Over in America, KLu F-35As are involved Norwegian Air Force, Major General Tonje
may have a corrosive effect on the aircraft and in pilot training and operational testing. Skinnarland declared the Kongelige Norske
its engine, Lockheed Martin was consulted The Nederlands Opleidingsdetachement Luftforsvaret’s F-35A fleet operational after
and the jet got washed with water during an F-35 (NODF-35, Netherlands F-35 Training completing a deployment to Rygge Air Station
engine run immediately after the welcoming Detachment) at Luke Air Force Base, Arizona, in November to validate they are able to
ceremony. With inspections already planned achieved several milestones in the past operate the jets away from Ørland Main Air
before the KLu formally accepts the jet, months. On July 19, F-005 flew the 500th Station.
additional inspections should reveal whether hour for the Dutch fleet within the 308th Over the last two years, the Kongelige
any damage has occurred. Fighter Squadron ‘Emerald Knights’ since the Norske Luftforsvaret has conducted an
According to Leeuwarden’s base commander Dutch jets started flying at Luke on February intensive operational testing and evaluation
Colonel Arnoud Stallmann it would take up to 21. The Emerald Knights received the sixth – of the F-35A in Norwegian conditions
three weeks for F-009 to be accepted and F-35 and, for the time being, final – Dutch F-35A including winter operations, operations in
flying operations to commence. Lieutenant on July 23, when F-008 relocated to Luke the northern areas and cooperation with the
Colonel Laurens Jan Vijge, head of operations from Edwards Air Force Base, California. Army, Navy and Special Forces. To conclude
at Leeuwarden, became the first KLu pilot to fly Delivered to Edwards on May 10, 2019, this the test period, aircraft, personnel and
an F-35A on December 18, 2013. He said: “In jet had been used temporarily by the KLu’s equipment were transferred from Ørland to
the coming months the squadron will gradually 323 Test and Evaluation Squadron for test Rygge to train and practice operations from
build up and get used to working with our new flights within the multi-national F-35 Initial the base. This was the first time Kongelige
weapon system. This allows technicians to get Operational Test and Evaluation (IOT&E) Norske Luftforsvaret F-35s conducted flight
acquainted with the aircraft and us to see how programme. On September 16, it was again operations from a base other than Ørland.

Japan has more F-35s on order


than any other nation. The Japan
Air Self Defense Force currently
operates one squadron at Misawa
Air Base in northern Honshu.
Japanese Ministry of Defence

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MILITARY F-35 LIGHTNING II

Japan’s first F-35A squadron is


302 Hikotai based at Misawa.
Japanese Ministry of Defence

Next year Norwegian F-35s will deploy to Fitters (officially 18 aircraft, 12 combat- require the most expenditure to configure
Keflavik, Iceland to conduct the NATO air- coded and six dedicated to training). for F-35 operations.
policing mission, and by 2022, the Kongelige According to the Warsaw-based Casimir Minister of National Defence of Poland,
Norske Luftforsvaret expects to have built Pulaski Foundation, the Siły Powietrzne Mariusz Błaszczak tweeted that the purchase
up enough F-35s, pilots and maintainers in Rzeczpospolita Polska operates four of the F-35 jets would be “the most important
Norway to enable the F-35 to take over the squadrons of combat-coded MiG-29s and contract in the history of the Polish armed
24/7 quick reaction alert from Evenes Air Su-22s, amounting to 64 machines. forces. But this is not the end of our work. We
Station in northern Norway, a mission that Poland’s MiG-29s are assigned to two will be negotiating hard to secure the best
requires pilots to scramble and intercept tactical squadrons; 41. Eskadra Lotnictwa possible price.”
aircraft flying near Norwegian airspace. Taktycznego based at 22. Baza Lotnictwa
Taktycznego, Malbork and 1. Eskadra South Korea
Poland Lotnictwa Taktycznego based at 23. Baza Cheongju Air Base in the south-central North
On September 11, the Polish government Lotnictwa Taktycznego, Miñsk Mazowiecki. Chungcheong province of the Republic of
announced it has requested 32 F-35A Two tactical squadrons; 8. and 40. Eskadra Korea is now home of the Asian nation’s
Lightning IIs, a full mission trainer, training, Lotnictwa Taktycznegos are based at 21. Baza first F-35A unit, 151 Fighter Squadron, a
logistics and support, which the US Lotnictwa Taktycznego, Swidwin. component of 17 Fighter Wing.
State Department and the Congress duly Given the number of F-35 involved in The first two jets arrived at Cheongju on
approved by late September. The deal this $6.5 billon deal, it appears the Polish March 29, seven days after departing Luke
is estimated by the Defense Security government is replacing half of its current Air Force Base, Arizona. Luke is home to
Cooperation Agency to be valued at $6.5 64-aircraft fleet. Which Tactical Aviation the 56th Fighter Wing, host unit of the F-35
billion. In service with the Siły Powietrzne Base or bases will receive the F-35As has international pilot training schoolhouse,
Rzeczpospolita Polska (Polish Air Force), the not been announced, though it’s more where the first six Republic of Korea Air Force
F-35As will replace the remaining MiG-29 likely to be Malbork and Swidwin; Miñsk F-35As were delivered and operated by Air
Fulcrums and Su-22M-4 and Su-22UM-3K Mazowiecki is perhaps the base that would Force Reserve Command’s 944th Fighter

An F-35B assigned to VMFA-211 fitted with a 25mm GAU-22 cannon during deployment on board USS Wasp. US Marine Corps

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F-35 LIGHTNING II MILITARY

Wing. Republic of Korea Air Force pilots


commenced F-35 flight training with the
944th in 2017 with the first solo flight flown
in July 2018. By the end of 2019, 151 Fighter
Squadron is scheduled to have 13 F-35As on
strength, with a further 14 to follow through
2020. The Republic of Korea government
placed a 40-aircraft order in September 2014
under the US government’s foreign military
sales programme. All 40 Republic of Korea Air
Force F-35As will be assembled at Air Force
Plant 4 in Fort Worth, run by Lockheed Martin.
A Defense Acquisition Program
Administration report presented to the
Republic of Korea National Assembly on
October 7 stated that the government is
preparing to launch the second phase of
the F-X III in 2021 lasting five years; official
language for the acquisition of 20 more F-35s
at a cost of around $3.3 billion. The specific
variant was not disclosed, but in general,
Republic of Korea defence sources predict
the aircraft will be F-35As; the alternative
F-35B has a higher unit recurring flyaway cost Aeronautica Militaire F-35A MM7358/32-08 trails vortices during a mission over Iceland. Aeronautica Militaire
and the nation’s first 30,000-ton large-deck
landing ship will not arrive until the 2030s. Four Türk Hava Kuvvetleri F-35As have United States
been resident at Luke Air Force Base, Arizona In a press release issued on May 9, the office
Turkey since mid-2018 where they were assigned of the Secretary of the Air Force announced
In July 2019, the US Congress suspended to the 56th Fighter Wing’s 63rd Fighter F-35A Lightning IIs will be moved from Eglin
Turkey’s participation in the F-35 programme Squadron, and used to train Turkish pilots and Air Force Base, Florida to Nellis Air Force Base,
thereby halting its involvement in the technicians to fly and operate the fighters; 42 Nevada from early 2022 to equip the re-
manufacture of production of aircraft Türk Hava Kuvvetleri pilots and maintainers activated 65th Aggressor Squadron.
components and parts used on the final returned home following Turkey’s suspension The aggressor squadron’s re-activation is
assembly lines at Cameri, Italy and Fort Worth from the F-35 programme. part of an initiative to improve training for fifth
Texas, and delivery of jets to the nation. The F-35 Program Executive Officer, Lieutenant generation fighter aircraft by using the F-35A
suspension decision was made because of General Eric Fick is expecting Turkey’s to replicate emerging threats entering service
the Turkish government’s procurement and entire phase out from the programme to with the Voyenno-Vozdushnye Sily Rossii
acceptance of the first shipment of Russian be complete by March 2020. Testifying to (Su-35 and Su-57) and the People’s Liberation
S-400 air defence systems, a lethal system a joint hearing of the House Armed Service Army Air Force (Su-35 and J-20)
that the US government says is in compatible Committee on November 13, he said: “We Commander Air Combat Command, General
with NATO equipment. In reality, the US does began just over a year ago, very quietly but Mike Holmes recommended improving
not want Russian operators supporting the deliberately, taking actions to find alternate training for fifth generation fighter tactics
Turkish armed forces gaining ‘eyes on’ to any sources for all of the parts produced in Turkey. development and close-air support by adding
of the F-35’s systems. We have, on the airframe side, 11 components F-35s to complement the fourth generation
Turkey was a significant player in the we have to mitigate to be at full-rate aircraft currently being used. To support this
F-35 programme; the Türk Hava Kuvvetleri production ... and on the engines, there’s one: requirement, the Air Force has decided to create
had a requirement for 100 F-35As to integrated bladed rotors.” a fifth-generation aggressor squadron at Nellis
replace aging F-4 Phantoms and its oldest Some parts ordered from Turkey however, and move nine non-combat capable F-35A
F-16 Fighting Falcons. will be delivered after the March 2020 deadline. aircraft from the 33rd Fighter Wing based at Eglin.

The first F-35A delivered to Leeuwarden Air Base in the Netherlands arrived on October 31. Kees van der Mark

www.airinternational.com | 39
MILITARY F-35 LIGHTNING II

Four generations of Dutch fighters; two


British and two American. The Spitfire
looks magnifcent leading the formation.
Kees van der Mark

The Air Force has already re-assigned Back in 1986, the 158th Fighter Wing On the other side of the nation, at the
two F-35A aircraft from the 31st Test and transitioned from F-4D Phantoms to Block sprawling Marine Corps Air Station Miramar
Evaluation Squadron based at Edwards Air 1, 10 and 15 F-16A Fighting Falcons; only the on the northern outskirts of San Diego, Marine
Force Base, California, to join the F-16C- second Air National Guard unit to re-equip Fighter Attack Squadron 314 (VMFA-314)
equipped 24th Tactical Air Support Squadron, with the Fighting Falcon. ‘Black Knights’ retired its last F/A-18A Hornet
a close air support unit also based at Nellis. The 158th Fighter Wing’s operational on June 21. Prior to that date, the initial
The 24th TASS assignment will provide the squadron is the 134th Fighter Squadron, the cadres of the squadron’s pilots were already
Air Force with F-35As dedicated to close air fifth Air National Guard unit to be formed. at Naval Air Station Lemoore in California’s
support training. Squadron Airmen are carrying on the long central valley learning to fly and operate the
At Eglin, the 33rd Fighter Wing will only lineage with their famed ‘Yellow Scorpions’ F-35C with Strike Fighter Squadron 125 (VFA-
begin to reassign its early lot F-35A aircraft to emblem painted on the side of the F-35’s 125) ‘Rough Raiders’, the Navy and Marine
Nellis once new replacement jets have filled vertical stabilisers. Corps’ F-35C Fleet Replacement Squadron.
the billets currently expected in early 2022. Converting to the F-35 has affected the VMFA-314 is transitioning to the F-35C,
The first brand new F-35As for Vermont entire wing with changes required at all levels. the first Marine Corps squadron to convert
Air National Guard’s 158th Fighter Wing were While pilots needed to learn to fly a new to the type, a process that is scheduled to
delivered to its Burlington base on September aircraft and maintainers needed to learn new complete in the spring of 2020; the first
19. Vermont is the Air National Guard unit to procedures, everyone from the fire department aircraft with squadron markings is F-35C
receive the F-35A. to security forces also needed to adapt as the BuNo 169601/VW434. Squadron maintainers
One month later to the day, the 158th base facilities and taxiways were overhauled to are undertaking their initial training at Eglin
Fighter Wing officially welcomed the F-35A accept the new aircraft. Air Force Base, Florida before moving to
Lightning II into the wing. Eighteen more jets Vermont’s 158th Fighter Wing is the first of 15 Lemoore. Pilot training started with VFA-
will arrive over the coming months as the Air National Guard units currently planned for 125 at Lemoore in early September. Once
wing continues to develop its skills in flying transition to the F-35A Lightning II involving 300 the squadron is certified as safe-for-flight
and maintaining the stealth fighter. aircraft. TSgt Ryan Campbell, 158th Fighter Wing by a Marine Corps officer, actually the
Commanding Officer of Marine Aircraft Group
11 after which it will move to Miramar its
future home base.
As the US Air Force continues with its goal
to become a more lethal and ready force,
the 388th Fighter Wing based at Hill Air Force
Base, Utah, the first combat-coded F-35A
Lightning II wing has been a key contributor
to the force’s overall readiness.
Over the summer, all three squadrons
assigned to the 388th FW, the 4th, 34th
and 421st Fighter Squadrons — nearly 70
F-35A aircraft — were operating away from
home station. They conducted operations
in nine different countries on three separate
continents, supporting multiple combatant
commanders. The 421st FS supported a
European Theater Support Package, the
34th FS conducted off-station operations at
Mountain Home Air Force Base, Idaho, while
Hill’s runway was under construction, and
the 4th FS conducted the first F-35A combat
deployment.
Commander 388th Fighter Wing, Colonel
Steven Behmer said: “We’re focused on
Lieutenant Colonel Ian Knight makes a flypast in F-009 at Leeuwarden on October 31. Kees van der Mark maintaining and improving every aspect of

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F-35 LIGHTNING II MILITARY

readiness – training, manning, and developing Last autumn, former Defense Secretary people to PCS and retirement, and we had a
our people and tactics to meet current James Mattis directed Air Force and Navy lot of brand new F-35A maintainers. It takes
threats. Our maintainers are doing a great job fighter squadrons to improve material time to build that experience level back up.”
providing the sorties we need to do just that.” readiness by achieving a mission capable General Goldfein said mission capability
Successes can be attributed to several rate of 80% – something many believed to rates are important, but don’t represent a
factors, from higher experience levels of be a lofty goal given the operations tempo, complete measure of overall readiness. He
the maintainers, to rebounds in the supply manning and resource constraints faced by all said: “What really matters is that I’ve got
process. And not everything has been a recent of the services. trained and ready crews…and we’ve been able
fix. The numbers are catching up to past Twelve months later, materiel to meet those timelines and actually exceed
process improvements. readiness at the 388th FW, to include one them. That’s what counts.”
Explaining, 388th Maintenance Group chief squadron deployed, has seen remarkable In late October, Airmen from the active-
enlisted manager, Chief Master Sergeant improvements. This was highlighted when duty 388th and Reserve 419th Fighter Wings
Trey Munn said: “A lot of the time people’s 388th FW units hit a single day in September returned home following a six-month
perceptions and expectations of the with two units above 90% mission capable deployment to Al-Dhafra Air Base, United Arab
programme are influenced by stale data, old, and the third unit above 80%. This is Emirates.
inaccurate information. A really good example testament to the level of effort the Airmen The 4th Fighter Squadron’s deployment,
is the Autonomic Logistics Information maintaining and sustaining the F-35 have put which started in April, was the first F-35A
System [dubbed ALIS]. There are definitely in over this year. Lightning II combat deployment supporting
applications within ALIS that still need to Col Miles believes his is a reflection of Central Command’s regional task providing
be addressed, but the prognostic health processes that are on the right track. He said: various missions, including close air support
management system and joint technical data “It took hard work and there will be a lot of and regional deterrence. The 4th FS also
are great examples of where ALIS, on the naysayers, and many people don’t understand conducted Agile Lightning, a demonstration
whole, has improved and we’ve improved.” the trajectory the programme is on.” of adaptive basing methodology in which
Commander 388th Maintenance Group, Mission capable rates are just one component personnel and aircraft operate in austere
Colonel Michael Miles said: “The jet’s assessed at the unit level to determine environments to complete essential missions.
prognostics health management system can readiness. In a recent interview, Air Force Chief Discussing the deployment, the 4th Fighter
detect problems before they fail and allow of Staff General David Goldfein described five Squadron commander, Lieutenant Colonel
maintainers to prioritize workload. Making aspects of overall readiness, which include Joshua Arki said: “We demonstrated that the
prudent maintenance decisions in coordination training Airmen, sustainable budgets and F-35A is ready for any of the missions we may
with the operations group’s flying schedule is a funding, mission preparation, a reliable logistics be called upon. We can hold any conflict in
key process enabled by these systems.” supply chain of available parts, and flying hours any theatre at bay.”
The newest jets assigned to the 388th FW so pilots have more time in the air. With more than 455 aircraft operating
are also reflected in the improvements as Parts and systems are not the only thing from 20 bases around the globe, the F-35 is
Col Miles explained: “We’re not seeing the required to maintain aircraft. So are people, playing a critical role in today’s global security
same problem parts and issues that we did in as Col Miles explained: “Experience levels environment. More than 955 pilots and 8,485
the past. Problems sent in from the field are are often overlooked in the maintenance maintainers have been trained, and the F-35
being addressed and solutions are woven into equation. We had a really robust talent pool fleet has surpassed more than 230,000
the production line. I like the trajectory we’re [of personnel] when we stood up our first cumulative flight hours. Nine nations have
currently on. There have been some valleys, operational aircraft maintenance unit [AMU] in F-35s operating from a base on their home
but our overall experience shows we’re on a 2015. Over time, that experience level became soil and eight services have declared initial
readiness incline.” diluted as we stood up two other AMUs, lost operating capability. AI

Vermont Air National


Guard’s 158th
Fighter Wing is the
latest Air Force unit
to transition to the
F-35A Lightning II.
TSgt Ryan Campbell/Air
National Guard

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COMMERCIAL LONDON SOUTHEND AIRPORT

Expansion ta
L
ondon Southend Airport (LSA), In January 2019, the airport celebrated the became more of a general aviation airfield,
situated 45 miles (72km) from the tenth anniversary of the Stobart Group buying rather than an airport. Jones said: “When
centre of London, is the fastest the airport from Southend Council for £21 [Stobart Group] took over the airport in 2008
growing airport in the UK for the million. Since then, Stobart has completely it was only handling 47,500 passengers a year
second year running. redeveloped LSA with a major £160 million and now it is handling more than 1.5 million.”
In 2018–2019, it handled a total of programme, turning it into an international The first major airline to set up a base at
1,502,000 passengers, an increase of 33% airport by constructing a new terminal building, LSA when the new terminal building opened
in the group of UK airports with under five control tower, railway station and hotel, and in 2012 was easyJet, which had signed an
million passengers. It is on track for the same extending the runway by 984ft (300m). initial ten-year agreement the previous year.
achievement in 2019–2020. The carrier based three Airbus aircraft at
Glynn Jones, the Chief Executive Officer New routes, more passengers the airport to operate scheduled services to
of Stobart Aviation, the owners of LSA, Southend Airport has a rich 100-year history. European destinations in 2012. Due to the
said he is, “absolutely delighted with the It was at one point in the 1960s the third- success of these routes, a fourth aircraft and
passenger figure”. Jones added LSA is on busiest airport in the UK, with Channel new routes were added.
course for 2.5 million passengers this year Airways passenger flights to Europe and EasyJet went on to break the passenger
after Ryanair started its services in April 2019, British United Air Ferries cross-channel car numbers record for a flight from Southend
with expectations the number will reach five ferry services using ATL-98 Carvairs. As other in March 2014 with a flight to Faro with 177
million by 2023. airports developed, Southend declined and passengers aboard an A320, beating the

42 | www.airinternational.com
LONDON SOUTHEND AIRPORT COMMERCIAL

takes off
Simon Murdoch
reports from the
fast-growing London
Southend Airport as
it outlines ambitious
future plans

previous record of 170 passengers set by a


British Air Ferries CL44 on a flight to Ostend
in 1972.
EasyJet is not the only low-cost carrier to
move into Southend. In June 2018, Ryanair
announced a £228 million deal with Stobart
Aviation to set up a base at LSA and operate
55 flights a week to 11 new destinations. The
carrier has based three Boeing 737-800 jets at
the airport since April 1, 2019. The first three
to arrive were EI-GDT (c/n 44815, now with
Air Malta as 9H-QAG), EI-GDZ (c/n 44820)
and EI-GJG (c/n 44829).
Jones said: “The airport has the theoretical
capacity for up to five million passengers
a year, and with Heathrow and Gatwick
continuing to struggle with a capacity crisis
Wizz Air began A320 and A321 flights to Lithuania and Romania in October 2019. Southend is the answer.”

Southend’s new terminal opened in 2012.


All photos Simon Murdoch

www.airinternational.com | 43
COMMERCIAL LONDON SOUTHEND AIRPORT

Loganair now uses Saab 340 turbprops


and Embraer ERJ135s to serve Aberdeen,
Carlisle, Glasgow and Stornoway.

Even more new routes (via Glasgow) and four to Carlisle. The latter Lagan Airport Maintenance was appointed
In summer 2018, the airport operated route, launched on July 4, 2019, using Saab to carry out the essential maintenance project
passenger flights to 35 European destinations, 340s, was due to begin last year but was to upgrade the durability and performance of
with Amsterdam, Dublin and Manchester the delayed due to operational reasons at Carlisle. the runway by removing 50mm (1.9in) of the
most popular routes. During the summer of In October 2019, Loganair switched its existing surface and replacing it with 200mm
2018, nearly 100 scheduled passenger flights flights from London to the City of Derry (a (7.8in) overlay of grooved Marshall asphalt by
were operating from the airport every day. route the carrier took over after the demise using an onsite batching plant.
In 2019 flights operated to 40 destinations of Flybmi earlier this year) from Stansted to Other works included friction testing,
during the summer. LSA. Loganair will operate 26 flights a week airfield lighting and white lining. The work was
The low-cost giants easyJet and Ryanair are (13 return flights) using 49-seat Embraer carried out at night between January and April
far from the only new commercial operators 145 aircraft. The route has been made 2019 to minimise disruption to services.
at Southend. Air Malta started flights to Malta, possible through government Public Service The runway improvements followed
Cagliari and Catania in 2018 and Flyone Obligation funding to maintain the route. work during 2017 on the apron, taxiways
operates to Chisinau in Moldova. Another new operator is Blue Islands, and parking stands. The apron and taxiways
Franchise, ACMI (aircraft, crew, which started a daily service from Guernsey to were all completely dug up and relaid, and
maintenance, insurance) and leasing specialist Southend from May 20, 2019 using ATR 72s. An six new stands were added to bring the total
Stobart Air bought three E190 aircraft from advanced pre-launch publicity charter flight for passenger airliners near the new terminal
Flybe to continue operating their franchise was operated on March 15 with newly delivered building to 16.
services from Southend alongside ATR 72 ATR 72-500 G-ISLN (msn 884). The services are The airport now has ten stands in front
turboprops. Stobart Air now leases these three part of the franchise arrangement with Flybe. of the new terminal, five in front of the Jet
E190s aircraft to KLM, Great Dane Airlines and Centre on the south apron and six on the
British Airways CityFlyer via their new leasing Infrastructure investment north apron that could be used for overflow
company Proteus and continues to operate The Stobart Group is planning to invest of commercial airliners at busy times with
two ATR 72s on services from Southend. a further £40 million in LSA through to passengers being dropped off at the terminal
Loganair started three new daily services 2021. This year £10 million was spent on first and the aircraft then being towed to the
from Southend to Scotland on May 12, 2019, resurfacing and grooving the runway to other stands.
to Aberdeen, Glasgow, Stornoway (the first improve the braking efficiency for larger LSA now has a solar power panel energy
ever London to Stornoway flight) and Carlisle. aircraft with full passenger loads, such as the farm, reputedly the largest at any airport in
The carrier operates 17 weekly flights to Ryanair 737-800s, to enable them to operate the world, and has become entirely self-
Aberdeen, 15 to Glasgow, six to Stornoway from the airport. sufficient in generating electricity to power all

Passenger operations
restarted at London
Southend Airport in 2012.

44 | www.airinternational.com
LONDON SOUTHEND AIRPORT COMMERCIAL

EasyJet started flights from Southend Services from Southend


in 2012 and has steadily grown its Airline Destination
network from the Essex airport. Loganair Aberdeen, Carlisle, City of Derry, Glasgow,
Stornoway
Blue Islands Guernsey
EasyJet Alicante, Amsterdam, Barcelona,
Bordeaux, Budapest, Dubrovnik, Faro,
Geneva, Ibiza, Jersey, Lanzarote, Malaga,
Malta, Menorca, Murcia, Paderborn,
Palma, Paris, Prague, Pula, Sofia, Tenerife
Flybe Antwerp, Caen, Groningen, Guernsey,
Lyon, Newquay, Rennes, Reus
Flyone Chisinau
Ryanair Bilbao, Brest, Cluj-Napoca, Corfu,
Cologne, Copenhagen, Dublin, Faro,
Kosice, Malaga, Milan, Venice
Volotea Palma
Wizz Air Bucharest, Vilnius, Isai (from summer
2020)
Note: Data refers to summer 2019 schedule.

its needs. The airport recycles all its rainwater from all over the world, because Southend is To celebrate the tenth anniversary of
from the terminal buildings and uses it to open 24/7 while quotas have been imposed Stobart Group ownership of LSA, a special
flush the toilets, with the water collected in an on business jet movements at Luton and exhibition has been put up in the terminal
underground tank. Stansted. The facility was particularly along with a Second World War memorial
The infrastructure investment also includes busy during the 2018 World Cup football plaque, proudly displayed landside in the new
new passenger facilities. Four new retail units tournament with lots of bizjets flying to and terminal in memory of those pilots who lost
were opened in the airside departure lounge from Russia. Stobart hopes to handle around their lives operating from RAF Rochford.
in 2018 including a Bourgee seafood and 2,500 business jets a year. With the Ryanair agreement and now Wizz
steak bar and a new World Duty Free shop. Air joining the other airlines, things are looking
A £5 million ten-year franchise deal with Wizz Air routes good for the foreseeable future at LSA. The
The Restaurant Group also saw a Giraffe Further expansion at Southend is coming airport is on track to become London’s new
Stop and Costa Coffee open to complement from another low-cost operator, Wizz Air, fifth, if not fourth, busiest airport, potentially
the existing coffee outlets, along with the which started flights from Southend to overtaking London City. It is all very different
Navigator Bar and Restaurant, which replaces Bucharest, Vilnius and Sibiu in October 2019 to the relatively quiet operations of just a few
the original Lakers Bar and Restaurant. using A320s and A321s. years ago.
Jones commented: “We have been voted Warwick Brady, Chief Executive Officer of Jones said: “The Stobart Group has
best airport in the London area for six years Stobart Group, said: “The agreement with ambitious plans to ensure the growth and
now in the Which? magazine consumer Wizz Air is another significant milestone in success of the airport, including plans
survey and a key part of our mission is to the development of the UK’s fastest-growing to extend the baggage areas in the new
deliver a great experience for our guests and airport. The partnership increases the terminal building, making it 75% bigger,
food and beverage offer the main way we can domestic and European destinations we can resurfacing the runway and grooving it to
make their experience even better.” offer customers to more than 40 by adding enable slightly larger aircraft such as the 737-
exciting and increasingly popular destinations 800. A new hotel is also part of the plans for
Other operations in central and Eastern Europe.” the next decade.” AI
There are currently no aircraft maintenance
facilities for large airliners at Southend, JOTA Aviation is an ACMI specialist based at Southend,
following the collapse of ATC Lasham in 2016 with ex-PSA, US Air and CityJet BAe 146-200 G-SMLA
and Inflite Engineering closing its maintenance (c/n E2047) used for charter flights.
base at Southend as part of company
restructuring moving operations to Stansted.
Air Livery continues to thrive and has
been repainting most of the easyJet Airbus
fleet into the airline’s new colour scheme.
Its existing hangar was destroyed by a fire in
2017 and a new, much larger ‘super hangar’
is currently under construction. This should
open by the end of the year and will enable
larger aircraft to be painted. In the meantime,
Air Livery has been using a spare hangar at the
airport for painting work.
JOTA Aviation, an ACMI charter operator
Blue Islands ATR 72 G-ISLN departs
based at the airport, continues to expand, LSA on a pre-launch flight for the
with two BAe 146 and one RJ.100 passenger new daily Guernsey service.
aircraft for leasing contracts to other airlines
when required. The company has also
launched JOTA Cargo to operate cargo flights
using four BAe 146QT freighters bought from
ASL Airlines of Spain. The first BAe 146QT with
JOTA Cargo titles, G-JOTE (c/n 3182), entered
service at the end of July 2018.
A new Stobart Jet Centre for business jets
was set up by the Stobart Group and opened
in summer 2018. It is already proving a
success and attracting flights and customers

www.airinternational.com | 45
MILITARY BOEING KC-46A PEGASUS

Mythical, winge
I
n ancient Greek mythology a Pegasus permitted to stick with its original selection Force said: “Our aerial refuelling capability
is a mythical winged divine horse. for the KC-X programme, the A330-based underwrites the global nature of Air Force
In modern America, a Pegasus is a KC-45, new tankers would be operational in power and enables the rapid deployment of
Boeing 767 with a few clunky subset combat zones right now. aircraft. We recently welcomed our first KC-
designators, dubbed the KC-46A. 46 tankers and are proposing to buy 12 more
It’s the brand new all-American aerial Initial deliveries KC-46 tankers in Fiscal Year 2020.”
refueller that’s set to replace the god On January 25, 2019, the US Air Force Colonel Rich Tanner, 22nd Air Refueling
father of tankers, the majestic, 1950s era KC-46A tanker programme delivered the Wing commander told AIR International: “As
KC-135 Stratotanker. But its development first two KC-46As to the 22nd Air Refueling of October 2019 we are up to 15 airplanes.
and service introduction with the US Air Wing at McConnell Air Force Base, Kansas. Our Airmen have worked diligently since
Force has been an ugly tale of ‘big deal’ Aircraft, serial numbers serial numbers 15- [first] delivery to generate the sorties and fly
problems and a multi-billion-dollar cost 46009 and 17-46031, departed Everett Paine the missions required for IOT&E and beyond.
tag for Boeing, which marketed the aircraft Field on their delivery flight to McConnell; a Along the way we’ve learned a lot and our
as a low-risk solution for the US Air Force’s notable milestone for the programme. hands-on work helps the Air Force and the
new tanker requirement. There can be The US Air Force posture statement for manufacturer address the concerns from
little doubt that if the Air Force had been FY2020 released by the Secretary of the Air operator and maintainer perspectives.”

46 | www.airinternational.com
BOEING KC-46A PEGASUS MILITARY

ged and divine?


AIR International outlines the KC-46A Pegasus aerial refuelling tanker, America’s new air
mobility workhorse, and the challenges remaining for the programme

A KC-46A Pegasus connects


with an F-15E Strike Eagle
during an aerial refuelling
mission flown from Edwards
Air Force Base, California.
John Parker/Boeing

www.airinternational.com | 47
MILITARY BOEING KC-46A PEGASUS

A KC-46A Pegasus takes off for the first crew familiarization flight from McConnell Air Force Base, Kansas on February 26, 2019. Airman 1st Class Alexi Myrick/US Air Force

The second unit to receive the KC-46 was Field, which declared a Level 3 alert on the and quality which cited multiple foreign
the 97th Air Mobility Wing based at Altus Air assembly line, one level from mandatory object debris escapes involving some of the
Force Base, Oklahoma; the KC-46 school factory shutdown. companies most critical programs. Lovett
house. AIR International received an update Following an out brief of the Defense wrote: “This includes the identification and
concerning operations at Altus from Colonel Contract Management Agency-approved removal of unnecessary tools, equipment,
Matthew Leard, the 97th Air Mobility Wing corrective action plan to the Air Force service electronic files, documents and refuse. We
commander: “The 97th received its first KC- acquisition executive and Commander, all have a responsibility to maintain safe,
46A Pegasus on February 8, 2019, and is now Air Mobility Command, Boeing delivered clean, efficient and FOD-free working areas
[October 2019] home to five KC-46s. Here at the seventh KC-46 to Altus on March and it’s so vitally important to who we are
mobility’s hometown, we have a long history 11 following a new closely scrutinized we’re making it a company-wide priority.”
of training our nation’s airlift and air refuelling acceptance process. This initial plan didn’t do the intended
crews and we will remain the first stop in With lives and billions of dollars on the job because on March 23 the Defense
training KC-46 pilots and boom operators. line, Boeing declared a FOD amnesty day Contract Management Agency halted
Like every new advanced weapon system, on March 15. Defense One got to see a KC-46A deliveries for a second time. Once
we are working through the challenges of copy of an email issued by Gena Lovett, again because foreign object debris was
building up its combat capacity, but we are vice president for manufacturing, safety found in closed compartments on a KC-
100% confident it will bring the right suite of
capabilities to any future fight.”

On hold, off hold


However, after delivery of six new KC-46As
the Defense Contract Management Agency
(DCMA) halted any further deliveries on
February 20, 2019 because foreign object
debris was found at various locations inside
the brand new aircraft; a critical issue for any
aircraft. According to a March 1 report in the
Seattle Times, the debris included loose tools
and pieces of debris. At the time Air Force
spokeswoman Major Malinda Singleton said
the Air Force would not accept deliveries
of the tanker until the production aircraft
were cleared, and the service and DCMA had
approved a corrective action plan by Boeing
designed to prevent FOD in the future. A
memo issued by Boeing’s factory managers,
obtained by the Seattle Times, stated that
eight tools were found in aircraft delivered to A C-17A Globemaster III aircrew assigned to the 3rd Airlift Squadron, Dover Air Force Base, Delaware,
the Military Delivery Center at Everett Paine conducts aerial refuelling training with a KC-46A Pegasus on March 22, 2019. TSgt Laura Beckley/US Air Force

48 | www.airinternational.com
BOEING KC-46A PEGASUS MILITARY

A KC-46A Pegasus from McConnell Air Force Base approaches a KC-135 Stratotanker. Airman 1st Class Skyler Combs/US Air Force

46A at the Everett production facility. The committee notes that the Secretary
This led to a more stringent pre-delivery of the Air Force has completed a capability-
KC-46A Pegasus characteristics
inspection process approved by Dr Will based assessment and signed off the initial Wingspan 156ft 1in (47.5m)
Roper, Assistant Secretary of the Air Force capability document for the requirements Length 159ft 2in (48.5m)
for Acquisition, Technology and Logistics associated with the next-generation tanker, Height 51ft 9in (15.5m)
on April 5. This process includes very close but has not started an analysis of alternatives. Max take-off weight 415,000lb (188,240kg)
inspection scrutiny of all the aircraft’s sealed The committee believes the Secretary of the
compartments for foreign object debris. Air Force has several viable options to ensure Max fuel capacity 212,299lb (96,297kg)
Such was the concern about the closed future tanker capability, to include acquiring Max cargo capacity 65,000lb (29,484kg), 58
compartment issue that KC-46A tankers a non-developmental commercial derivative passengers
already delivered to McConnell and Altus also tanker while bridging from the end of the Pallet positions 18 pallet positions
had to be checked. Air Force personnel at KC-46A production to the new developmental Engines Two Pratt & Whitney PW4062
both bases were tasked to drain and inspect tanker. Therefore, the committee directs the turbofans each rated at 62,000lb
the fuel tanks for foreign object debris. Secretary of the Air Force to submit a report
Boeing said it is committed to delivering to the congressional defence committees…on has undergone $100 million in construction
FOD-free aircraft to the Air Force and a 30-year vision for the tanker force structure. projects to accommodate the KC-46
is conducting additional company and The report shall include the following. One, Pegasus. Currently, we have pilots and boom
customer-specified inspections of the the current KC-46A tanker acquisition timeline operators training with the KC-46 at Altus
jets, and has implemented preventative through Lot 13. Two, future tanker production Air Force Base, Oklahoma and McConnell
action plans. options to include an acquisition timeline Air Force Base, Kansas. Ultimately, these
During April 2019 Congressional hearings, comparison of a bridging non-developmental activities will result in our ability to generate
then Secretary of the Air Force, Heather commercial derivative tanker and new tanker the sorties and fly the missions required by
Wilson commented: “We expect excellence development. Three, modernization options Air Mobility Command.”
in the manufacture of our aircraft, and we for the entire tanker force structure through
are working with Boeing on corrective the 30-year vision timeline. Cat ones
action plans.” The US Air Force uses a deficiency
In its June 12, 2019 National Defense Deliveries resumed categorization protocol for all issues with
Authorization Report for FY2020, the House Deliveries were once again resumed. On a weapon system. A category 1 deficiency
Armed Services Committee expressed August 8 and 9, two KC-46s (serial numbers is classed as one which may cause death
concerns about the progress of the KC-46A: 17-46029 and 17-46034) flew to Pease Air or severe injury; may cause loss or major
“The committee notes that the Department National Guard Base, home of the New damage to the weapon system; or critically
of Defense Mobility Capability Requirement Hampshire Air National Guard’s 157th Air restricts the combat readiness capabilities of
Study identified a tanker force structure Refueling Wing. AIR International received the using organization.
inventory requirement of 479 aircraft. Integral an update from Colonel John Pogorek, Boeing is working to correct four Category
to this capability is the delivery of mission 157th Air Refueling Wing commander: “We 1 deficiencies impacting the KC-46A tanker.
capable KC-46A aircraft and the continued received the Air National Guard’s first two Two with the remote vision system used for
development of additional tanker aircraft after KC-46s in August 2019 and expect to have aerial refuelling, one affecting the refuelling
the expiration of the current KC-46A contract our full complement of 12 aircraft on-station boom’s performance, and since September,
with Lot 13 in 2027. by June 2020. Pease Air National Guard Base one involving cargo restraint devices.

www.airinternational.com | 49
MILITARY BOEING KC-46A PEGASUS

A cargo pallet is positioned with open doors as aeromedical evacuation crews prepare to load the container with litter equipment at McConnell Air Force Base, Kansas.
The medical cargo pallet contains the necessary stands and support equipment to build litters. 2nd Lt Daniel de La Fé/US Air Force

Remote Vision System AIR International spoke with Michael “More specifically, the Air Force has an issue
The Rockwell Collins remote vision system Hafer, Boeing’s Global Sales and Marketing where the KC-46 boom operator, using the
(RVS) generates and displays video feeds on Director for the KC-46 Program concerning RVS, may not have the visual acuity to confirm
the aerial refuelling operator station using a the remote vision system on the KC-46. the boom made contact with the receiver
set of cameras located around the underbelly He said: “This system is a major upgrade to aircraft during refuelling, contacts outside
of the KC-46. similar systems developed and used on Dutch of the air refuelling receptacle. Boeing and
In January, US Air Force Acquisition KDC-10 and Japanese KC-767 tankers. The the US Air Force are working on changes to
spokesperson, Captain Hope Cronin said the US Air Force has done extensive flight testing hardware and software, and a test programme
Air Force was allowing deliveries to proceed with the RVS, and has identified visual acuity to achieve Air Force certification.”
but programme issues were still to be challenges in a small percentage of the tanker
resolved. flight envelope. Fly-by-wire boom
There are issues associated with development
and operation of the new digital flying boom
used for refuelling US Air Force aircraft. A June
2019 US Government Accountability Office
report said the new KC-46A boom is stiff and
could affect operations and cause damage to
aircraft with low observability coatings.
Explaining the fault, Mike Hafer said: “The
KC-46 boom is a fly-by-wire, digital aerial
refuelling boom built in house by Boeing to
US Air Force specifications. The Air Force has
tested the new boom with 14 different types
of aircraft and has so far achieved certification
with seven types of aircraft. However, light
weight, thrust-limited receivers, like the A-10,
have challenges for remaining in contact with
the boom in corners of the aerial refuelling
envelope. Testing is still underway, and
hardware and software changes are being
evaluated to improve and finalize the boom’s
air refuelling performance”.
Boeing is also working to deliver the Wing
Aerial Refueling Pod System (WARPS) to the
Air Force for testing; WARPS is the system
used to aerial refuel probe equipped aircraft;
Airmen assigned to the 60th Aerial Port Squadron from Travis Air Force Base, California, load cargo onto a KC- those operated by the US Marine Corps, US
46A Pegasus. Senior Airman Christian Conrad/US Air Force Navy and many allied nations.

50 | www.airinternational.com
BOEING KC-46A PEGASUS MILITARY

A complete litter configuration built inside a KC-46A Pegasus Fuselage Trainer at McConnell Air Force Base, Kansas. Configured for the aeromedical evacuation
role, a KC-46A can carry 54 patients, 24 litter and 30 ambulatory. 2nd Lt. Daniel de La Fé/US Air Force

A Boeing spokesperson for the KC-46 Boeing is working with the Air Force on the routine inspections of the restraints in flight.
program commented: “The Wing Aerial delivery plan and schedule”. Despite the safety measures, the unlocking
Refueling Pod System flight testing, occurred during flight, though no cargo or
including WARPS receiver certification for Cargo restraint devices equipment moved and there was no specific
the F/A-18 Hornet is complete. The Boeing- According to the US Air Force, during several risk to the aircraft or crew.
Air Force team will perform one more flight long-range KC-46A test flights with the A KC-46 is cleared to carry two types of
for electromagnetic effects testing for aircraft loaded with cargo, multiple cargo rolling pallets; one for passenger seating (up
WARPS FAA Supplemental Type Certification floor restraint locks malfunctioned and came to 58) and 463L cargo pallets (up to 18) or a
issuance using a production standard unlocked. Prior to departing on each mission, combination of both. Each type of pallet is
aircraft in January 2020. This form of flight aircrew fully installed, locked and thoroughly fixed to the floor of the aircraft’s cargo hold
testing is the precursor to system delivery. inspected each restraint, and performed with cargo restraint devices.
Explaining the problem, Mike Hafer said:
“The Air Force requirement calls for the
aircraft to be able to reconfigure within two
hours after landing. These locking systems
secure to the floor with a switch lock, but
are removable. During flight testing, dynamic
vibrations caused several of the mechanisms
to move out of confirmed locking position.
We have developed a mechanical fix to this
problem. It has passed initial flight testing and
we are on path to provide a permanent fix to
this problem.”
During the Air Force Association’s Air,
Space and Cyber conference held at
National Harbor, Maryland, Commander
Air Mobility Command, General Maryanne
Miller told reporters: “We are eight months
into accepting our airplanes, and Boeing
has not presented a solution that meets all
the parameters. Boeing’s solutions for the
RVS just aren’t good enough. The cameras
used to monitor the fuelling systems feed
three images to the screen and Boeing
has struggled to provide effective depth
perception, which makes it pretty challenging
Temporary litters can be added and removed expeditiously to meet the immediate needs of patients. to mate the boom and manage refuelling. In a
2nd Lt. Daniel de La Fé/US Air Force couple months, that is what I’ll be looking for…

www.airinternational.com | 51
MILITARY BOEING KC-46A PEGASUS

Force operates an established programmed


depot maintenance system which keeps the
aircraft overhauled and updated.
A 2018 Transportation Command study
supported the Air Force’s stated requirement
for 479 aerial refuelling tanker aircraft.
America’s jet-powered tanker fleet is
assigned to Air Mobility Command with
each air refuelling squadron supporting
aerial refuelling, aeromedical evacuation
and personnel/cargo transportation as their
primary mission assignments.
Aerial refuelling is a core element of global
reach, increasing US and coalition range and
capability. Air Mobility Command’s posture
priorities include readiness, sustaining
nuclear response, mobility operations in a
contested environment, force development,
modernization and innovation.
The road to KC-46 has been long, difficult
and a touch perverse. In the 1990s, the Air
Force considered buying and/or leasing an
upgraded version of the 767 tanker from
Boeing. In 2003 the project was put on
A KC-46A Pegasus and a KC-135 Stratotanker on the flight line at Dover Air Force Base, Delaware. hold when allegations of corruption were
Mauricio Campino/US Air Force discovered; ultimately the contract was
cancelled in 2006.
we have got to get this airplane into the fight.” (with an average age of 63 years), an aircraft A request for proposal was released in 2007
Air Force and Air Mobility Command leaders which have been updated several times after for the KC-X programme including 179 new
met with Boeing representatives at Scott Air deliveries between 1955 and 1965. In addition, tankers.
Force Base, Illinois, Headquarters Air Mobility the tanker fleet includes 59 KC-10 Extenders Boeing proposed its KC-767 and faced
Command on September 30 to discuss delivered in the 1980s (with an average age off against the larger Northrop Grumman-
ongoing efforts to identify viable solutions for of 32 years). During a much shorter service EADS A330 Multi Role Tanker Transport. On
KC-46 deficiencies. life compared to the KC-135s, KC-10s have February 29, 2008, the A330 dubbed the
sustained a heavy utilisation rate to the point KC-45 was selected. Boeing was hopping mad
Creating a hot mess where today, they are a challenge to maintain. at the decision and protested the contract
The US Air Force tanker fleet comprises 396 While the KC-135 fleet is old, the airframes award. This was sustained by the Government
KC-135 Stratotanker aerial refuelling aircraft still have service life remaining, and the Air Accountability Office with its June 2008

A KC-46A Pegasus assigned to the 344th


Total acquisition costs for the KC-46 Pegasus Air Refueling Squadron on the flight
Total acquisition cost estimate category February 2011 October 2017 Percent change line at Dover Air Force Base, Delaware.
Development 7,149.6 5,835.1 -18.4% Mauricio Campino/US Air Force

Procurement 40,236.0 35,523.8 -11.7%


Military construction 4,314.6 2,999.8 -30.5%
Total 51,700.2 44,358.7 -14.2%

52 | www.airinternational.com
BOEING KC-46A PEGASUS MILITARY

A KC-46A Pegasus from the 22nd Air Refueling Wing.


SSgt Mary McKnight/US Air Force

decision in favour of Boeing. Bidding was KC-46A Pegasus timeline


reopened in July, KC-X solicitation was
cancelled in September. One year later the January 2013 - DOT&E approved the post-Milestone B Test and Evaluation Master Plan, with concerns about adequate
Air Force started its process for accepting calendar time for correction of discrepancies or deficiencies between the end of developmental testing and the
new bids. In March 2010 Northrop Grumman beginning of IOT&E.
withdrew but EADS soldiered on. That was in December 28, 2014 - First flight of the first EMD aircraft, six months late, primarily due to electrical wiring design
vein. On February 24, 2011, Boeing won the problems. The aircraft began flight testing at the end of July 2015.
hotly contested contract for a new generation January 2015 - The Air Force accepted Boeing’s Stage 4 (final build) test plans.
tanker based on a revised version of the May 2015 - DOT&E approved the Air Force Operational Test and Evaluation Center’s second KC-46A operational
proven 767-200LRF (flown by many cargo assessment (OA-2) plan to support the Milestone C decision.
companies) but with a 767-300 series wing, September 2015 - The first fully configured aircraft, EMD-2 started flying; originally planned for January 2015.
landing gear, cargo door and floor, flight deck January and February 2016 - Initial AR testing uncovered unanticipated axial loads in the boom that approached the
and glass cockpit plus other updates. boom’s structural limits, resulting in temporary suspension of further AR testing.
The KC-46 design includes a permanent July 2016 - Demonstration flights of Boeing’s redesigned the boom control system were completed.
aerial refuelling boom and wing aerial August 2016 - The KC-46A program successfully accomplished a Defense Acquisition Board Milestone C decision.
refuelling pod systems, a capacity to carry November 2016 - DOT&E approved the Milestone C TEMP, with concerns about adequate calendar time for correction of
18 463L pallets (the KC-135 holds six) and discrepancies or deficiencies between the end of developmental testing and the beginning of IOT&E.
medical systems for the transportation of Through 2016 - LAIRCM testing provided hit point distribution data to inform the vulnerability assessment and to verify
patients in the aeromedical mission. both LAIRCM system configurations (Block 20 with ultraviolet missile warning system and Block 30 with two-colour
The aerial refuelling boom can transfer infrared missile warning system) LAIRCM performance on the KC-46A.
more than 1,200 gallons of fuel per minute July 2017 - Naval Air Systems Command conducted EMP testing at Naval Air Station Patuxent River, Maryland on behalf
(7,200lb), and more than 400 gallons per of Boeing. Testing was not accomplished in accordance with the DOT&E-approved TEMP and the LFT&E Strategy. The
minute (2,400lb) from the drogue. The mould NAVAIR testing demonstrated flight critical capabilities were still available after exposure to a 6dB pulse. However, testing
did not fully demonstrate AR capabilities as required. The program uninstalled or deactivated multiple mission critical
line of the new fly-by-wire boom is similar to
systems prior to testing and, therefore, their EMP tolerance was not tested on the aircraft in mission-representative
the KC-10 but all hardware is new.
configuration, nor was the functionality of the AR boom and WARP pods tested.
The KC-135 and KC-10 both have an air
July 2017 - The KC-46 program completed all planned flight test events necessary for the FAA Aircraft Amended Type
refuelling operator, a boom operator, located
Certificate of the Boeing 767-2C aircraft. FAA Supplemental Type Certificate test events continue to complete FAA
in the rear of the aircraft to operate the boom
certification of the KC-46A aircraft.
from a control station, watching the receiver
August 2017 - A KC-46A deployed to Yuma, Arizona, for hot weather testing.
aircraft approaching the tanker through
October 2017 - Flight testing began to certify the AR system and the first eight types of aircraft for receiver operations.
purpose-fitted windows.
October 2017 - Flight testing began to certify the KC-46A AR system and the first eight aircraft for receiver operations,
Boeing’s KC-46 proposal elected to place and will continue into FY2019.
the air refuelling operator near the flight December 2017 - A KC-46A deployed to Guam for extreme humid weather testing.
deck and manage boom operations from Through 2017 - Boeing completed Block 20 LAIRCM flight testing at Moses Lake, Washington to confirm installed system
an aerial refuelling operator station (AROS). performance.
Cameras located around the KC-46 fuselage, Through 2017 - Testing ongoing of the production-representative version of the redesigned prototype boom.
operating in visual and infrared modes, feed January 2018 - A KC-46A deployed to Fairbanks, Alaska, for cold weather testing.
their imagery to the air refuelling operator at April 2018 - The Air Force completed KC-46A Joint Interoperability Testing with Link 16 with other aircraft.
the AROS. June 2018 - The KC-46A program completed follow-on developmental testing of an RVS software-only fix.
Fitted with the latest communications June 2018 - The KC-46 program completed flight test requirements for the first KC-46A aircraft delivery by finishing test
and networking systems, including Link events for the RVS and the F-16, C-17, and A-10 receivers, and KC-135 refuelling the KC-46A as a receiver.
16, the KC-46 also has armour around the June 2018 - Boeing completed Block 30 LAIRCM flight testing at Moses Lake, Washington to confirm installed system
cockpit, explosion and fire suppression, performance.
electromagnetic protection shielding and July 2018 - A KC-46A deployed to Yuma, Arizona, for hot weather testing.
self-protection systems. The latter include September 2018 - Flight tests completed for FAA Supplemental Type Certification.
Raytheon’s ALR-69A radar warning receiver, Through 2018 - Initial centreline drogue system testing revealed deficiencies in software and hardware that resulted in
and Northrop Grumman’s AAQ-24(V) Large unexpected disconnects during AR operations. Boeing identified the root cause and implemented new coupler tolerances
Aircraft Infrared Countermeasures system and updated control software logic.
dubbed LAIRCM, which provides automatic

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MILITARY BOEING KC-46A PEGASUS

schedule and the programme went over


Director, Operational Test and Evaluation Assessments budget. However, the US taxpayer was
DOT&E 2015 Assessment protected from footing the bill thanks to the
• The expected IOT&E start date was delayed 10 months from the post-milestone B TEMP schedule. DOT&E analysis firm fixed-price contract.
during 2015 indicated that operational testing would likely be delayed by 12 months. Keeping a check on the KC-46
programme, like all US government
DOT&E 2016 Assessment programmes, is the Government
• At Milestone B, in February 2011, the Air Force had planned to be 66% complete by Milestone C. However, upon Accountability Office (GAO) which performs
accomplishing Milestone C in August 2016, Boeing had completed only 30% of the total EMD testing. an annual audit. In its April 2018 report titled
• AR demonstrations to date have been at a single point of the KC-46’s operational envelope for only three boom GAO-18-353 KC-46 Tanker Modernization,
receivers (A-10, C-17 and F-16) and two probe and drogue receivers (AV-8B and F/A-18C), during daylight only, and no the GAO assessed programme progress and
aircraft have completed certification as a receiving platform. challenges toward achieving its cost goals
• The boom variant used during 2016 was a prototype designed to solve boom axial load problems encountered in and delivery schedule. The total acquisition
early testing and was not production-representative. cost estimate for the KC-46 tanker aircraft
• During the second operational assessment testing (OA-2), the aerial refuelling operators (AROs) identified a problem remained stable over the last year at $44.4
that can occur when the ARO station is set to dual operation such that the controls at both the primary and instructor billion. As shown in the table below, the
stations are active. When both positions apply a flight control stick command, the boom will move to a summed position estimate has decreased about $7.3 billion
due to the system’s summation logic. There are situations where this could result in a rapid boom movement to the (14%) since the initial estimate. This decrease
instructor-commanded position; if the receiver aircraft is in the path, the potential exists for the boom to inadvertently is due in part to stable requirements.
strike the receiver aircraft. In September 2017, US Air Force KC-46
• The AROs also noted the long-wave infrared cameras, part of the RVS system, produced an undesirable effect when Program Manager Colonel John Newberry
interacting with the sun and clouds. For example, a solar trail occurs when the sun moves across the screen (such as commented: ““One of the risks we probably
during a turn) and leaves a persistent afterimage forming a line. Additionally, the ARO station screen overlays – which underestimated collectively was the
provide boom envelope position and other information – interfere with the ARO’s ability to view and monitor AR concurrency of doing an amended type
operations. certificate on a brand-new aircraft — the
• Given the recent problem with KC-46A cargo floor restraint devices unlocking, with hindsight its revealing that the 767-2C is a brand new 767 [that] obviously
Director of Operational Test and Evaluation 2016 Annual Report said in its assessment of the KC-46A, that OA-2 testing takes advantage of the heritage of the 767
had not identified any critical deficiencies with the cargo handling mission, though testing did identify deficiencies the Air family. Doing that all at the same time was
Force should address. Surely the restraint device was not one such deficiency? underestimated [as to] the complexity and
scope of effort. I think Boeing is now paying
DOT&E 2017 Assessment for those underestimates.”
• Analysis of boom AR testing through 2017 showed a significant number of instances where the boom nozzle In a 2017 article, former Boeing employee,
contacted the receiver aircraft outside the refuelling receptacle and in many of those instances, the AROs were unaware Raymond Cosner said: “It’s not so simple to
those contacts had occurred. Boom nozzle contact outside the receptacle can damage antennae or other nearby convert an existing commercial passenger jet
structures, but is especially problematic for low-observable receiver aircraft by damaging radar-absorbing coatings. into a militarized flying gas station. I should
A potential contributing factor for both the number of contacts outside the receptacle and undetected contacts
know: I helped prepare Boeing’s proposal for
was determined to be reduced visual acuity of the ARO using the remote vision system. Boeing and the Air Force teams
the KC-46A tanker. In addition to installing
conducted root cause analysis, reviewed the historical data, and collected additional data during subsequent tests.
a first-of-its-kind refuelling system that will
Without an appropriate solution, the problem has adverse operational mission effects on low-observable aircraft at a
use both a refuelling boom and the hose
minimum.
and drogue system, new defensive systems,
• LAIRCM testing provided hit point distribution data for the vulnerability assessment and to verify LAIRCM
sensors and other electronic systems, will
performance on the KC-46A. Evaluation included both LAIRCM system configurations; Block 20 with ultraviolet missile
enable the KC-46 to operate in an increased
warning system and Block 30 with two-colour infrared missile warning system.
threat environment. Wiring and hydraulic
DOT&E 2018 Assessment
lines have been extensively modified, and
• The DOT&E forecast the earliest likely start of IOT&E as March 2019. Schedule analysis identified two key milestones numerous other changes are being made to
affecting IOT&E start and completion. One, completion of AR certification of the initial group of receiver aircraft before enable the aircraft to perform its missions.
the beginning of IOT&E. Two, certification of activity. Many of these advanced technologies are
• In 2017, the program started flight testing with a production-representative version of the redesigned boom. being used for the first time.”
• During FY2018, the Air Force planned to complete two nuclear threat-focused assessments for the KC-46A. One, to Given the fixed price contract form,
assess the ability to launch and fly a safe distance from a simulated nuclear attack to a KC-46A staging base. Two, assess Boeing has had to write off more than $3
the KC-46A’s inherent nuclear hardness to blast, radiation, flash, thermal, and EMP effects. billion of expenses due to changes in the
development of the aircraft and its systems.
In late 2018, after many serious debates,
protection for large aircraft against shoulder-
fired, vehicle-launched, and other infrared-
guided missiles.

Programme challenges
The KC-46 contract included $4.4 billion for
the development and manufacture of four
test aircraft. Additionally, Boeing received a
$3.5 billion engineering and manufacturing
development (EMD) contract.
The first KC-46A N461FT (c/n EMD-1) flew
on September 25, 2015. Four test aircraft flew
many missions and the EMD programme
showed progress. However, Boeing ran into
problems with the schedule. This was the first
major programme seeking to secure both
military and FAA certification at the same time
for a single platform.
Lessons were learned in flight testing and
many issues and required changes were
identified. Boeing decided to continue
building the aircraft and incorporate changes
at later dates as they were confirmed. The first local aerial refuelling sortie between a KC-46A Pegasus and KC-135 Stratotanker from McConnell
Development and production fell behind Air Force Base. Airman Skyler Combs/US Air Force

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think tanks and other groups have advocated


different concepts for future tankers. US Air
Force planning for a future tanker is now
being re-evaluated and some KC-135s may
have to stay in service longer. However, in
early 2019 the US Air Force Chief of Staff,
General David Goldfein commented: “I don’t
know if it’s manned or unmanned, and I
actually don’t care that much as long as it
brings the attributes we need to win.”
Given that in August 2018 the US Navy
committed to develop the MQ-25 Stingray
unmanned air vehicle with aerial refuelling
as one of its primary missions, it’s likely that
the Air Force’s future tanker mix will include
similar unmanned tankers. The MQ-25
was born of Naval Air Systems Command’s
Carrier Based Aerial Refueling System
programme.
Given the KC-46’s ugly tale to date, was
there any positive developments for the
program this year? Yes, if you consider the
appearance of a KC-46A in the static display
at the 2019 Paris International Airshow in
June to demonstrate positivity. From an
editorial perspective, flying a Boeing 767
from the United States to France is neither a
new event nor particularly impressive!
Elsewhere, and by October Boeing had
delivered 25 KC-46A aircraft to McConnell,
Altus and Pease where additional deliveries
were expected imminently. That’s a good
thing for the Air Force, but let’s not get
carried away with the number. At the same
point in time there were as many KC-46
jets parked up at Everett and Boeing Field in
Seattle as there were in service.
Perhaps a more significant fact is that
production standard KC-46 aircraft are
now involved in flight testing such that
operational testing has been moving forward.
On October 22, the Program Executive
Officer for tankers formally certified the KC-
46’s transition into initial operational test and
evaluation dubbed IOT&E. This phase will
test the KC-46’s effectiveness, suitability, and
mission capability toward accomplishing its
three primary mission sets: aerial refuelling,
cargo and passenger airlift, and aeromedical
evacuation. The Air Force continues to
Above and bottom right: A KC-135R assigned to the Utah Air National Guard’s 151st Air Refueling Wing,
flight test its new tanker, while Boeing
conducts aerial refuelling operations with a KC-46 Pegasus assigned to the 22nd Air Refueling Wing, continues to try and correct the category 1
McConnell Air Force Base, Kansas. The KC-46 is the Air Forces newest aircraft in its fleet and can carry a deficiencies in parallel, a process deemed as
combination of more than 210,000 pounds of fuel, 65,000 pounds of cargo and 58 passengers. the most expeditious means of achieving full
TSgt John Winn/Utah Air National Guard operational capability. Despite the problems
and delays, in October the US Air Force
reportedly the Air Force and Boeing agreed A divine future? awarded Boeing a $2.6 billion contact for
on a revised delivery schedule. On January The FY2019-2023 KC-46 production plan 15 KC-46 aircraft, spares, engines, refuelling
24, 2019, Air Force Secretary Heather includes $20 billion to support production kits and other systems. This was the fifth
Wilson reported that 36 KC-46As would be of 75 aircraft plus billions of dollars for base production lot awarded to the Chicago
delivered in 2019. infrastructure construction and modification Illinois-based company for a total of 67 KC-
KC-46A Phase II certification was programmes. Production of the KC-46A is 46A aircraft. AI
completed in 2018 after the four test aircraft expected to continue until FY2027 when all
had flown more than 3,800 hours, and 179 aircraft are planned for delivery.
refuelled nine different types of aircraft; In 2016, the US State Department filed
eventually 64 types of US and NATO aircraft paperwork concerning the potential sale of
will be certified for refuelling operations. four KC-46 tanker aircraft to Japan. The first
On January 22, 2019 a KC-46A refuelled a Japanese aircraft is now in production and
US Air Force F-35A Lightning II fighter over the second will start soon. Boeing projects a
the desert skies near Edwards Air Force Base, market for up to 60 export KC-46 tankers.
California meeting a Phase III milestone in The KC-X programme called for a 179
the test programme; this was the first aerial aircraft buy of KC-46As with options for KC-Y
refuelling of a stealth aircraft by a KC-46A. and KC-Z tanker programmes to fully replace
Phase III certification testing and the type’s the KC-135s, KC-10s and upgrade of US Air
initial operational test and evaluation, all led Force tanker capabilities. However, as a result
by the 418th Flight Test Squadron, continue of changing threat conditions and defence
at Edwards Air Force Base, California. plans the Air Force, defence companies,

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COMMERCIAL AVIATION SAFETY

A
lthough one of the safest forms Aviation has, by its nature, the capacity to launches during NATO’s annual Able Archer
of transport, aviation has suffered kill large numbers of people in an instant. exercise. Soviet defence computers informed
some tragic losses. In 1974, an Given the human, financial and reputational the duty officer, Stanislav Petrov, that the
explosive decompression downed costs of disaster, the industry is tireless United States had launched five ballistic
a Turkish Airlines DC-10 with the in its pursuit of new thinking on safety. missiles against the USSR. Protocol required
loss of 346 lives. In 1977, a Pan American 747 Occasionally, academia helps. For example: Petrov to recommend a retaliatory strike.
collided with a KLM 747 killing 583. In 1979, However, Petrov judged that the satellite
following the failure of an engine mounting, Coupling, complexity and the trace was a false alarm (a ‘false positive’). He
an American Airlines DC-10 spiralled into the human touch reasoned that the United States would have
ground killing 272. In 1980, a flash-fire on a In the 1980s, American safety advocate launched all its missiles in a first strike. Using
Saudia L-1011 TriStar killed 301. In 1983, an Professor Charles Perrow suggested that his judgment and intuition, Petrov decoupled
off-course Korean Airlines 747 was blown out coupling and complexity are inversely related the USSR’s tightly-coupled missile-defence
of the sky by a Soviet fighter, killing 269. In to reliability and resilience. That is, the system and, arguably, saved the world from
1985, an explosive decompression downed a more tightly coupled (linear) and complex accidental nuclear war. In a paper titled
Japan Airlines 747 with the loss of 520 lives. a system, the less reliable it is. Perrow’s Close Calls with Nuclear Weapons, the
In 1988, a US Navy surface-to-air missile safety formula links reliability with simplicity, Union of Concerned Scientists notes: “The
downed an Iran Air A300 with the loss of 290 redundancy and ‘slack’ (buffers). strongest, and one of the few, safety links
lives. In 1996, a mid-air collision between a More recently, Professor Erik Hollnagel in the chain was the judgment of the officer
Saudia 747 and a Kazakhstan Airlines II-76 has argued that when things go awry, in command of the early warning centre”.
killed 349. In 2014, a Russian-made missile operators (for example, pilots), must be able Despite the bellicose context – heightened
downed a Malaysia Airlines 777 killing 298. In to make timely and effective interventions. East-West tension fomented by US and
October 2018, a Lion Air Boeing 737 Max 8 In Hollnagel’s socio-technical conception Soviet leaders, a large military exercise
crashed shortly after take-off from Jakarta. of safety (known as Safety-II), the operator and the recent downing by Soviet fighters
In March 2019, an Ethiopian Airlines 737 Max is considered an asset rather than a liability. of a Korean Airlines Boeing 747 – Petrov
8 crashed shortly after take-off from Addis Frequently, it is the employee who saves maintained his capacity for reason. The 1983
Ababa. A total of 346 passengers and crew the day. In 1983, a Soviet military satellite near-miss demonstrated the importance
died in the two disasters. mistook reflected sunlight for missile of affording those in charge of automated

Aviation safety – th

Pexels

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AVIATION SAFETY COMMERCIAL

systems opportunities to exercise judgment. moment the birds struck: “The symmetrical willing to exercise judgment. In Perrow’s
Petrov’s management of the incident to a loss of thrust ... was shocking and startling argot, lives were saved by introducing slack
satisfactory conclusion supports Hollnagel’s .... I could feel the momentum stopping, and into a tightly-coupled system.
argument that operators make a net positive the airplane slowing .... Within eight seconds In July, 2018, Reuters reported that:
contribution to safety and reliability: “Things of the bird strike ... I knew that this was the “Airplane manufacturers are working … to
do not go right because people behave as worst aviation challenge I’d ever faced. It was build new cockpits designed for a single
they are supposed to, but because people the most sickening, pit-of-your-stomach, aviator in order to ease a global pilot
can, and do, adjust what they do to match falling-through-the-floor feeling I had ever shortage and cut airline costs”. Asked to
the conditions …. As systems … introduce experienced”. Having taken control, Captain comment, Cranfield University’s Professor
more complexity, these adjustments become Sullenberger elected to ditch his stricken Graham Braithwaite said: “The technology
increasingly important”. aircraft in the Hudson River. For Sullenberger, to fly an aircraft on automatic is brilliant
The saving of US Airways Flight 1549 in this was the least-worst option. “We’re gonna …. We are really short of pilots. They are
2009 by Captain Chesley Sullenberger, First be in the Hudson” he announced to air traffic a very expensive resource”. Those who
Officer Jeff Skiles and flight attendants Donna control, then proceeded to execute a text- advocate single-pilot flight-decks should
Dent, Doreen Welsh and Sheila Dail, is the best book ditching. ask themselves whether Sullenberger could
recent example of operators’ contribution to Flight 1549’s passengers were saved not have saved Flight 1549 on his own. In his
safety. On January 15, 2009, US Airways Flight by automation, but by the flight-deck’s autobiography, Sullenberger praised his First
1549, an Airbus A320 carrying 155 passengers capacity for seat-of-the-pants flying. They Officer: “Jeff and I had met just three days
and crew, encountered a flight of Canada were saved by a Captain who had soloed on before …. Yet during this dire emergency –
geese. Canada geese have a wingspan of just seven hours and twenty-five minutes with no time to verbalise every action and
around six feet and can weigh up to eighteen flying, had flown fast jets in the United discuss our situation – we communicated
pounds. The bird-strike, which happened at States Air Force and had been a commercial extraordinarily well. Thanks to our training
2,900ft with the aircraft making 200 knots, pilot for nearly 30 years. They were saved by and our immediate observations in the
disabled both engines. Drawing on their a Captain who, drawing on his experience, moment of crisis, each of us understood the
experience, skill and judgment, Sullenberger picked the least-worst option. As happened situation, knew what needed to be done,
and Skiles ‘worked the problem’. In his during the 1983 missile crisis, lives were and had already begun doing our parts in an
autobiography, Sullenberger recalled the saved because operators were able and urgent, yet co-operative fashion”.

theory and practice


Simon Bennett provides an overview of aviation safety

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COMMERCIAL AVIATION SAFETY

Arguably, if Sullenberger had been alone is the monitoring and cross-checking by disintegrated … it flung out shrapnel in all
on the flight-deck he would have been one pilot of the decisions and actions of the directions. Fifty hits were found in the tail
overwhelmed. As to Braithwaite’s claim other. Removing one of the pilots removes structure, including one measuring 10 x 12
that today’s automatics are ‘brilliant’, during this safeguard. Having a back-up pilot on the inches, and among other effects, the debris
my two decades on the flight-deck I have ground – so-called ‘distributed crewing’ – is burst severed the three separate hydraulic
witnessed numerous malfunctions, including no substitute for having a pilot on the flight- lines …. Experts were unsure whether any
of the autopilot. deck. The industry would be well advised not hydraulic system could have survived the
Despite the proven safety benefits of a two- to jeopardise its improving safety record to disintegration that befell United Flight 232”.
person flight-deck, the one-person flight- save a few dollars. Professor Erik Hollnagel The loss of control experienced by Captain
deck is still mooted. In a September, 2010, has spent his career encouraging designers Al Haynes and his crew was the product of
interview with the Financial Times, Ryanair to think of operators (for example, pilots) a common-cause or common-mode failure
Chief Executive Michael O’Leary claimed not as liabilities, but as assets. “Humans are – a single event (the fan-disk disintegration)
that short-haul flights could be operated … a resource necessary for system flexibility taking down multiple systems (the DC-10’s
safely by a single pilot. Following O’Leary’s and resilience [providing] flexible solutions three independent hydraulic systems). There
claims, Ryanair said: “We are starting the to many potential problems” notes the is a positive relationship between density
debate so that we can look to reduce costs Professor. For his part, Chesley Sullenberger and vulnerability. The denser an aircraft (that
without compromising safety …. Given the is convinced that he would have lost his is, the more tightly-packed its systems), the
sophistication of our aircraft [the Boeing 737 aircraft had Jeff Skiles not been at his side: “If more vulnerable it is to common-cause or
was designed in the 1960s] we believe that Jeff Skiles had been on the ground ... there’s common-mode failure. The addition of new
one pilot flying can operate safely on short absolutely no way. It could not have been”. elements such as in-flight entertainment (IFE)
routes and reduce fares for all passengers”. In systems is making aircraft denser – and more
August, 2018, Boeing’s vice president Steve Common-cause failures vulnerable.
Nordlund talked about the airframer’s plans A common-cause or common-mode failure
for the flight-deck: “I don’t think you’ll see a sees multiple systems disabled by a single Opacity and intractability
pilotless aircraft … in the near future …. But failure. The International Organisation for Complex, high-speed systems with limited
what you may see is more automation and Standardisation (ISO) defines common- feedback are difficult to control. Operators
aiding in the cockpit, maybe a change in the cause failures as “failures of different items, struggle to understand them. Opacity and
crew number up in the cockpit”. resulting from a single event, where these intractability make it difficult, or impossible,
The single-pilot flight-deck, while failures are not consequences of each other”. for operators to take back control in an
economically attractive, is an accident The complexity, coupling and density of emergency. The problems of opacity and
waiting to happen. What if the pilot is taken aircraft create opportunities for common- intractability were first discussed by political
ill? What if, as happened to Germanwings cause failure. In 1989, a United Airlines DC- scientists Eugene Burdick and Harvey Wheeler
Flight 9525, the pilot decides to commit 10 suffered a catastrophic engine failure at in their best-selling 1962 novel Fail-Safe. The
suicide-by-aircraft? What if, as happened 37,000ft that severed all three of the aircraft’s novel’s premise – that machines are fallible –
to US Airways Flight 1549, the flight-deck hydraulic lines, leaving the crew having to is pertinent today. The novel describes how
finds itself processing inputs and deciding use differential thrust (from the number one an unanticipated and difficult-to-analyse
options under extreme time pressure? and number three engines) to control the malfunction in a defence computer sees a
Airframers and CEOs should re-familiarise aircraft. Author Andrew Brookes explains that squadron of B-58 Hustlers tasked to eliminate
themselves with the phenomenon of ‘task the destruction wrought by the disintegration Moscow. The film of the book contains
saturation’ – something I have witnessed on of engine number two was absolute: noteworthy observations. During a seminar,
the flight-deck. One of the pillars of safety “When the [engine number two] fan-disk General Black (played by Dan O’Herlihy),

Steve Riot

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AVIATION SAFETY COMMERCIAL

observes: “We’re going too fast. Things are “Examination of their last training records attack data display issue, together with the
getting out of hand …. We are setting up a and check-rides made it clear that the crew’s inadequate stick-and-rudder skills,
war machine that acts faster than the ability co-pilots had not been trained for manual created a perfect storm of latent errors (see
of men to control it. We are putting men into aeroplane handling of approach to stall and the work of Professor James Reason) that
situations that are getting too tough for men stall recovery at high altitude” noted the BEA. increased the chance of mishap. A latent error
to handle …. We have got to slow down”. In 2009, an Air France Airbus A330, en- is an accident waiting to happen.
Automation is framed as the answer to route from Rio to Paris, plunged into the When automation inhibits situation
society’s many ills, from creaking health sea from altitude, killing everyone on board. awareness to the point where it is no
services (computer-based triage) to road According to the Bureau d’Enquêtes et longer possible for an operator to remedy
deaths (driverless cars). In Fail-Safe, Burdick d’Analyses (BEA), immediate causes included a malfunction, consideration should be
and Wheeler drew attention to automation’s “obstruction of the pitot probes by ice crystals given to removing or re-engineering the
inherent dangers. In 1983, social scientist that ... caused ... autopilot disconnection”, “the system in question. Lives may depend on
Lisanne Bainbridge revisited the evils of crew not identifying the approach to stall” and it. Despite the claims of Steve Nordlund,
opacity and intractability in her seminal “the crew’s ... lack of inputs that would have Michael O’Leary and others, automation is
paper ‘Ironies of Automation’. She wrote: made it possible to recover from [the high- not a panacea. Sometimes it is lethal. The
“If the human operator is not involved in altitude, high-speed stall]”. compensation claims and premium hikes
on-line control, she or he will not have Proximate causes included the flight-crew’s resulting from an aircraft careening into a
detailed knowledge of the current state of inability to quickly access angle-of-attack terminal because its single pilot suffered a
the system. One can ask what limitations data, and the airline’s failure to train stall- heart-attack on short-finals will eclipse the
this places on the possibility for effective identification and recovery skills. dollars saved by eliminating a crewmember.
manual takeover, whether for stabilisation Regarding the former issue, the BEA noted United Airlines Flight 232 was saved neither
... or for fault diagnosis”. More recently, in its July 2012 Final Report: “The aeroplane’s by a computer nor by distributed crewing.
Pamela Munro, a Boeing human-factors angle-of-attack is not directly displayed to the It was saved collegially in situ, by Captain Al
specialist, has argued that pilots must be pilots …. It is essential in order to ensure flight Haynes, First Officer William Records, Flight
kept in the loop: “Engineers don’t always safety to reduce the angle-of-attack when Engineer Dudley Dvorak and Check Pilot
realise that automation can lull people into a stall is imminent. Only a direct readout of Dennis Fitch. Haynes is convinced that he
complacency .... People are expected to the angle-of-attack could enable crews to could not have saved the aircraft on his own:
be able to jump in when something goes rapidly identify the aerodynamic situation of “We had 103 years of flying experience there
wrong, but if they haven’t been getting the aeroplane and take the actions that may be in the [DC-10’s] cockpit, trying to get that
feedback, they lose the ability to analyse required. Consequently, the BEA recommends airplane on the ground, not one minute of
the situation”. In his June 2019, testimony … that the European Union Aviation Safety which we had actually practiced, any one of
to the Aviation Subcommittee of the United Agency and the Federal Aviation Authority us. So why would I know more about getting
States House Committee on Transportation evaluate the relevance of requiring the presence that airplane on the ground … than the other
and Infrastructure on the Boeing 737 MAX of an angle-of-attack indicator directly three? So if … we had not let everybody put
8 crashes, Captain Chesley Sullenberger accessible to pilots on board aeroplanes”. their input in, it’s a cinch we wouldn’t have
said: “We must … provide detailed system Regarding the latter issue, the BEA’s report made it”. In 1991, The Honourable Company
information to pilots that is more complete stated: “Examination of their last training of Air Pilots bestowed on Captain Al Haynes
…. We should all want pilots to experience … records and check-rides made it clear that the Hugh Gordon-Burge Memorial Award. An
challenging situations for the first time in a the co-pilots had not been trained for manual industry that ignores men of integrity like Al
simulator, not in flight with passengers and aeroplane handling of approach to stall and Haynes and Chesley Sullenberger is heading
crew on board”. stall recovery at high altitude”. The angle-of- for a fall. AI

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MILITARY CYPRUS AIR FORCE

A
t 08:00 hours engineers from are now withdrawn from service. Established Training of the initial aircrew cadre was
450 Mira Elikopteron Aeroskafon in 1995, 55 Combat Group, a subordinate conducted in Russia by the Russian Army, but
(Helicopter Squadron) are unit to the Cyprus Air Force Command, the squadron now uses its four remaining
conducting pre-flight checks currently comprises two helicopter squadrons SA-342L1 Gazelles to do so. The strong
on three Mil Mi-35Ps and two operating from Andreas Papandreou Air Base, association Cyprus shares with Greece is
Aérospatiale SA-342L1 Gazelles. Conducting a military facility located on the north side of reflected in the training as Lieutenant Colonel
a combination of offensive, defensive and Paphos International Airport. Each squadron Savva Kypros; Commanding Officer of 450
special operations within the Cyprus Flight comprises two platoons, each platoon Helicopter Squadron and a Mi-35P instructor
Information Region, the squadron maintains operates a single type. pilot explained: “Our pilots commence initial
a constant state of readiness in a politically flight training at Tatoi Air Base [Dekhelia, near
sensitive region. 450 Helicopter Squadron Athens] on the Cessna T-41D and now the
The Kypriaki Diikissi Aeroporias (Cyprus Air Established on October 15, 2001 to operate Tecnam P-2002JF, before commencing fast
Force Command) was established in 1987 Mil Mi-35Ps (delivered in July 2001), the jet training at Kalamata Air Base [Kalamata,
shortly before the arrival of six, sandy coloured significance of the arrival of the Russian Peloponessus] on the Textron T-6 Texan and
SA-342L1 Gazelle anti-tank helicopters gunships is reflected in the squadron’s finally the Rockwell T-2E Buckeye. We are
subsequently delivered in January 1988. Two emblem, which alongside a black panther, like no other helicopter squadron in Europe,
Pilatus PC-9s followed one year later followed contains 12 stars, one for each Mi-35P because we provide our pilots with fast jet
by a single BN-2B Islander, but these types acquired. One aircraft was lost in July 2006. experience, which I believe prepares them

Photographed during a SAR crew


training mission, the hoist aircrewman
operates the winch as a rescue
swimmer recovers a training dummy.
All images Ian Harding and Neil Dunridge

Protecting
Cyprus
Ian Harding and Neil Dunridge report from Andreas
Papandreou Air Base on the Kypriaki Stratiotiki Aeroporia

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CYPRUS AIR FORCE MILITARY

better. When you see the Mi-35P for the first management due to the cockpit ergonomics. them on low-level missions, we can lose sight
time, you ask yourself, how will this heavy Daily training flights reinforce this ethos. of them if we don’t keep them in our view.”
flying-tank get airborne? Once it leaves The squadron forward deploys, regularly Pilots consider the Gazelle a reliable and
the ground, you realise how powerful and participates in exercises and undertakes live agile aircraft, perfectly suited to Cyprus’
responsive the helicopter is. firing at nearby ranges several times a year rugged terrain, given its ability to fly low
“Initial helicopter pilot training is completed to stay current as Lieutenant Colonel Kypros and disappear from sight thanks to its
on the Gazelle which takes approximately explained: “During missions, the pilot operator camouflage. With its standard two-man
50 flight hours. Those pilots selected for works as a navigator and communicates with crew, Cypriot Gazelles are capable of
the Mi-35P complete basic and operational both Army and Air Force Joint Terminal Attack carrying four HOT-2 or HOT-3 missiles
flight training. They start as the co-pilot [pilot Controllers using secure communications, (High subsonic, Optical, remote-guided,
operator] in the front seat before moving whilst the pilot in command flies the Tube-launched second-generation anti-tank
to the back seat as the commander [pilot in helicopter. As commander, the pilot plans and missile) which have a range of approximately
command] after approximately 300 flight takes the operational decisions including the 2 nautical miles (4km). Targeting is
hours if successful; a standard crew also position of the helicopter formation which completed by the pilot in the left-hand seat
includes a flight engineer.” often includes other helicopter types like the using a targeting sight.
Pilots confirmed the Mi-35P is a reliable Gazelle if we conduct dissimilar formations. One day per week is dedicated to night
but demanding helicopter to fly, and The big advantage of the Gazelle is its size; it flying using night vision goggles. Given
reinforced the importance of crew resource is very difficult to spot and when we fly with the local terrain, intense seasonal heat and

450 Helicopter
Squadron
1st Platoon SA-342L1
2nd Platoon Mi-35P

460 Search and


Rescue Squadron
1st Platoon AW139
2nd Platoon Bell 206L3

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MILITARY CYPRUS AIR FORCE

Seen here along Cyprus’ southern coastline, humidity, this requires specialist training.
AW139 serial number 702 has recently returned Safety is paramount and flight operations
from Belgium following depot-level maintenance stop if a specific combination of humidity and
with a new colour scheme. temperature is achieved.

460 Search and


Rescue Squadron
Established on May 25, 2010 when the Cypriot
government took exclusive responsibility
for national search and rescue missions,
460 Search and Rescue Squadron is one of
the nation’s newest squadrons. It currently
operates three AgustaWestland AW139s
delivered between December 2010 and
July 2011, and two Bell 206L3 Long Ranger
helicopters which were transferred from
449 Helicopter Squadron in 2010. The
two Bell 206L3s are fitted with a VIP cabin
configuration and fulfil a range of duties
which include liaison and most importantly
crew training in a similar fashion to the
Gazelle. Those aircrew that transition to
the AW139 require approximately 150 flight
training hours in the Bell 206.
The AW139s primary role is maritime search
and rescue, which along with the AW139s
operated by the Cyprus Police based at
Larnaca International Airport, is coordinated
by the Cyprus Joint Rescue Coordination
Centre (JRCC); an independent agency of the
Ministry of Defence based in Larnaca. JRCC
determines which agency is best placed to
undertake specific SAR tasks.
The squadron has a diverse range of
secondary tasks which include parachute
dropping, medical evacuation, aerial
photography, firefighting, personnel transport
and tactical operations. After becoming
Commanding Officer on August 30, 2019,
Major Panoyiotis Athinodorou made his first
command decision which was to redesign the
colour scheme of AW139 serial number 702,
which now carries distinctive dayglo markings,
SQN 460 and Cyprus Air Force titles.
Major Panoyiotis Athinodorou said: “We
completed our day-night SAR crew training
within one year. A flight crew comprises two
pilots, one hoist aircrewman and one rescue
swimmer. Each year our pilots return to Sesto
Calende in Italy for continuation training
which comprises a two-day course and three
days of simulator work.
“On 24-hour duty, we aim to be airborne
within 30 minutes for SAR, and 45 minutes for

Initial pilot training for 460 Helicopter Squadron is carried out on the Bell 206L3 Long Ranger, AW139 serial number 702 waits to approach a cliff
which is also used for VIP and liaison flights. Pilots then progress onto the AW139. face during a crew conversion training mission.

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CYPRUS AIR FORCE MILITARY

firefighting. For the latter we have to connect to share knowledge and has also participated
the bambi-basket and complete other weight in two overseas exercises; Aetos 2016, a
checks, but we are normally airborne within SAR exercise held within the Greek FIR east
15 minutes. Our medevac target is 45 minutes of Rhodes and Inihios 2019 at Andravida
as we have to determine which hospital Air Base, home of the Hellenic Air Force Air
[Nicosia or Paphos] will receive us based on Tactics Centre. This was the first time the
the injury. If necessary, we can attach a triple squadron had participated in such a large-
stretcher weighing approximately 150kg scale international exercise during which
(330lb) to transport patients. When off-base, it completed both SAR and combat search
aircrew are on a three-hour call notice. Aside and rescue missions. During the week long
from normal SAR tasking, regular calls involve flying phase the squadron participated in the
rescuing refugees. During one incident complex briefing process and completed six
approximately 27 nautical miles (50km) off- missions; the first time it had flown as part of
shore, we rescued 25 people in two hours a large Composite Air Operation comprising
in very rough sea conditions. I flew as the over 20 fighter aircraft and other helicopters.
pilot with another aircraft from the Police. In one mission 460 Helicopter Squadron
Winching was very difficult on this occasion worked with JTACs calling in strikes, and
as the boat’s height varied in the swell another as a CSAR asset collecting a pilot who The Gazelle helicopter is used by the Kypriaki Diikissi
making it difficult to gain a reference point, had completed a simulated ejection. Aeroporias for airborne forward air control.
plus some people reacted very badly with
one refugee jumping into the water. We flew Maintenance Major Marios Constantinou, Chief Engineer
them to Larnaca Airport where the Justice Each squadron has its own engineers who are with 460 Helicopter Squadron, confirmed the
Department had organised ambulances for responsible for completing flight line (level unit hopes to have all three AW139s available
hospital transfer.” one) and base (level two) maintenance for by the end of the year. However, the AW139s
The squadron’s firefighting duties their respective aircraft in accordance with are also experiencing corrosion issues. He
commenced in 2014 following specific manufacturer’s technical documentation. said: “The main issue with the AW139 is
Police training. Major Athinodorou confirmed All depot level maintenance takes place corrosion control effecting both the airframe
the intense Cyprus firefighting season overseas; St Petersburg and Rostov in Russia and some dynamic components. We protect
extends from May 1 to November 15, with a for Mi-35Ps and Belgium where one AW139 is the helicopter daily, which is very difficult
national firefighting plan called Ikaros that currently undergoing heavy maintenance and to accomplish because we fly so low over
coordinates the various assets involved. These specific structural inspection. salt water. We wash the engines every day
include Police and Forestry Department During AIR International’s visit to Andreas as per the maintenance manual using either
helicopters. Russian Kamov Ka-32s from Papandreou Air Base, 450 Helicopter chemicals or just water, and are trained to
PANH Helicopters leased by the Republic of Squadron had seven Mi-35Ps and three rectify minor structural issues. However, we
Cyprus government and stationed at Paphos Gazelles operational, with its remaining sent one aircraft to Belgium after 1,200 flight
International Airport, plus Royal Air Force aircraft in scheduled maintenance. The hours because we needed structural support,
Griffin HT1s from 84 Squadron based at Royal squadron’s objective is to retain a 100% plus an independent check is helpful. Despite
Air Force Akrotiri. operational capability across the fleet. this specific issue, our AW139 serviceability
In the near future, Major Athinodorou Second Lieutenant Giorgos Karavias said: record has been good over nine years
hopes to have operating procedures in place “Mi-35P base maintenance is completed of operation. The Bell 206 is a very nice
to enable his aircrews to exercise with the 84 after approximately 200 flight hours and helicopter, old but very reliable, easy to
Squadron. He said: “For a firefighting mission takes approximately 20-man days. Unlike maintain and excellent for training.”
we fly with a three-man crew comprising a the Gazelle, the Mi-35P requires a lot of The Cyprus Air Force plans to further
pilot, co-pilot and hoist operator. The bambi- maintenance hours because of the number of upgrade its future capability, though
basket carried weighs 2,650lb [1,200kg] but lubrication points. Its Klimov TV3170 engine no plan has been finalised. Local media
we generally don’t fill it with water because is very reliable, but salt corrosion is an issue reports have suggested the Air Force may
of the distance we have to travel to the fire, due to our location. We therefore complete upgrade its attack helicopter capability.
the reservoir height we collect from, and an engine and compressor wash every three On October 8, local media also confirmed
the hot and high conditions we face fighting hours. Most issues, are picked up during the that the Cyprus government has acquired
the fire. Our crews are also restricted to two pre-flight checks which is an engineering four Israel Aeronautics Aerostar Tactical
firefighting missions per day, so I have to responsibility. In the case of the Mi-35P, these unmanned aerial systems at a cost of €12
switch crews.” are completed approximately 90 minutes million. The unmanned air vehicles will
The squadron has completed a number of before the aircraft is required for a mission; be used to monitor the Cyprus Exclusive
exercises in Cyprus with other nations keen less for the Gazelle.” Economic Zone. AI

An Mi-35P over the


Asprokremmos reservoir.

www.airinternational.com | 63
TECHNOLOGY FUTURE AIRLINER CONCEPTS

Tomorrow’s
airliners
What might airliners look like years from now?
Mark Broadbent rounds up some of the
research projects into future concepts

The CityBird is a low-wing configuration concept airliner


with aft-mounted engines, a small and faired landing
gear and a high-lift system designed for short take-off
and landing operations from inner-city airports.
Bauhaus Luftfahrt

64 | www.airinternational.com
FUTURE AIRLINER CONCEPTS TECHNOLOGY

A
irliners have mostly always had the The BWB concept is not new. Indeed, testing using a 6%-scale 13ft (4m) wingspan
same basic fuselage tube and wing research into it can be traced as far back as BWB model in the 22ft (6.7m) Subsonic Tunnel
configuration, whether it is a large the 1920s, but recent times have seen greater at the NASA Langley Research Center in
twin jet or a small turboprop, but interest in it. Building on its research into the Virginia. The aim was to validate BWB testing
innovations in design, materials concept in the 1990s, NASA worked with methodology by mapping airflow over the
and production mean numerous research Boeing’s Phantom Works division in the 2000s fuselage using lasers and smoke.
projects are underway exploring new airframe to explore BWB designs, resulting in the two Boeing said it sees a use for BWB, “possibly
configurations and power sources. Boeing X-48 subscale UAVs (built, incidentally, beginning with military transport variants
in the UK by Cranfield Aerospace Solutions) for airlift and aerial refuelling”, but with the
Blended wing body that flew between 2007 and 2011. technology offering aerodynamic efficiency
One especially striking concept is a blended The X-48 flight testing, carried out at the and quiet operations (the high-mounted
wing body (BWB) concept. A BWB looks like then NASA Dryden (now Armstrong) Flight engines shield noise) there is clearly potential
a cross between a conventional aircraft and Research Center, focused on the low-speed, for BWB in the commercial arena. Boeing
a flying wing, with no line between the wings low-altitude flight characteristics of the BWB said some of the wind tunnel work was
and the fuselage. The cabin, cargo hold configuration, including engine-out control, part of NASA’s Environmentally Responsible
and fuel tanks are integrated into a single stall characteristics and handling qualities. Aviation programme to develop technologies
structure and the engines mounted high on More recently, in 2016, Boeing and NASA to improve fuel efficiency, lower noise and
the rear fuselage. conducted further BWB concept wind tunnel reduce emissions.

www.airinternational.com | 65
TECHNOLOGY FUTURE AIRLINER CONCEPTS

The Flying-V concept is supported by KLM. TU Delft

A BWB concept does have downsides. TU Delft has conducted wind tunnel testing
Boeing Vice-President Product Development campaigns into the Flying-V’s aerodynamics,
and Future Airplane Development Mike Sinnett structure, airframe-engine integration, cabin
told an American Institute of Aeronautics design and expected flight characteristics.
and Astronautics meeting in 2018, reported Data has been acquired through balance
Leeham News and Comment, that although a measurements and flow visualisation
BWB is efficient it carries more empty weight techniques to study specific aerodynamic
than a tube-and-wing configuration, because characteristics such as stability, angle of attack
it requires more fuel. The large wingspan and lift-to-drag ratio. TU Delft has said it
might also present obstacles for airport intends to fly a scale model of the design by
compatibility, Sinnett said. the end of this year.

Flying-V CityBird and Ce-Liner


Another BWB research concept intends As the CGI renderings released by
to tackle this potential compatibility issue. manufacturers or developers show, BWB
The Flying-V concept from TU Delft in the concepts catch the eye because of their look,
Netherlands, which has received support but they are not the only rakish future airliner
from KLM, is designed to be compatible with concepts out there.
existing infrastructure. At 55m (180ft) in length The German research institution Bauhaus
and 17m (55ft) in height, with a 65m (213ft) Luftfahrt (the name is a reference to the
wingspan and capacity for 314 passengers, it famous Bauhaus art and design school) has
would have the same wingspan, passenger worked on several ideas. It has a concept
capacity and cargo volume as the Airbus called CityBird for an aircraft with a low-
A350-900. wing configuration, aft-mounted engines, a
TU Delft says the Flying-V is designed small and faired landing gear and a high-lift
with current-generation turbofan engines system along the entire span of the wing. It
in mind while also being adaptable for is designed for short take-off and landing
electric or hybrid-electric engines, and operations from inner-city airports, yet also to Blended wing body configurations continue to
that the aerodynamic shape and reduced offer high levels of efficiency and speed. interest NASA, with joint tests using a 13ft-wingspan
weight will mean it uses 20% less fuel than Another Bauhaus Luftfahrt concept is the model in the 22ft Subsonic Tunnel at the NASA
an A350-900. Ce-Liner for a zero-emission aircraft with Langley Research Center. NASA

66 | www.airinternational.com
FUTURE AIRLINER CONCEPTS TECHNOLOGY

189 seats (or up to 233 in an extended- NASA’s Aeronautics division is working


fuselage variant) using 100% electric on concepts in this area in the Subsonic
engines mounted on the rear fuselage in a Ultra Green Aircraft Research (SUGAR)
distinctive ‘C-wing’ design. programme. One part of this project,
Novelties of the Ce-Liner are two SUGAR Freeze, aims to achieve a 70%
ducted fans driven by high-temperature reduction in carbon dioxide emissions with
superconducting electric motors, advanced a partially turbo-electric architecture that
lithium ion batteries carried in specially generates power in flight by integrating
adapted LD-3 cargo containers positioned a solid oxide fuel cell with the turbine
side by side, and a ‘self-trimming’ wing using engine, with the resulting electrical energy
morphing techniques to adapt its shape used to drive an aft propulsor at the tail of
constantly to varying flight conditions. the aircraft.
Another part of the SUGAR project is
Distributed power SUGAR Volt, a concept for a hybrid-electric
A separate Bauhaus Luftfahrt concept aircraft using onboard batteries to drive
called the Propulsive Fuselage relates to a motor attached to the turbofan engine
a distributed propulsion system, where augmenting the shaft speed during the cruise
conventional wing-mounted turbofan phase. The idea is to reduce the amount of
engines power electrical generators that jet fuel required to produce thrust from the
drive smaller motors and fans to improve engine and cut emissions.
wing and engine performance and reduce Separate to SUGAR, another NASA
energy use. distributed power concept is STARC-ABL
This is an example of the move to for a single-aisle turboelectric aircraft.
research electric and hybrid-electric In this concept, high-power generators
technologies, which itself is part of the are integrated with two wing-mounted
wider momentum across industry for turbofan engines. In addition to producing
cleaner and more sustainable technology thrust, these generate megawatts of
(see also Back Pages, this issue). Research electricity to power cabin cooling and
into turboelectric systems that use electrical instrumentation.
power to drive engines and hybrid-electric A further NASA distributed power
systems (that use both conventional fuel concept is N3-X, for a large fully turbo-
and energy storage systems) is another big electric twin-aisle passenger aircraft that
research area. uses wing-mounted turbo-generators
The Institute of Propulsion Technology powered by liquid hydrogen fuel. Each
at the DLR (German Aerospace Centre) generator will distribute 30 megawatts of
is investigating and developing new power to 14 motor-driven fans at the aft of
architectures with electrically powered or the vehicle.
distributed engines under the EU’s Clean
Sky 2 aeronautics research programme. Boundary layer ingestion
It is coordinating work packages for the Many future airliner research initiatives
development of design and evaluation involve a concept called boundary layer
methods, the entire operating cycle of the ingestion (BLI), which involves using the
engine, the fan design (the fan generates boundary layer (an area of slower-flowing air
the thrust), aeroacoustics, aeroelasticity and that develops along an aircraft’s surfaces as
structural mechanics. it flies) as a power source. In a BLI concept,

An artist’s rendering of NASA’s STARC-ABL concept hybrid-electric propulsion aircraft. NASA

www.airinternational.com | 67
TECHNOLOGY FUTURE AIRLINER CONCEPTS

The EU CleanSky Hyper-F research project, which involves the DLR, is one of several projects researching boundary layer-ingesting propulsion for new airliners. DLR

the engine inlet and fan are embedded at the layer control system and complex development, testing fan designs in NASA
back of the fuselage. instrumentation to measure the Glenn facilities and applying them to aircraft
As its name implies, the fan ingests the characteristics of the air coming into the design concepts being investigated by NASA
slower boundary layer airflow to propel the model and the aerodynamic performance and its academic and industry partners.
aircraft. According to NASA’s Glenn Research of the fan and inlet. The BLI work has also fed into the STARC-
Center, engines using air in the boundary layer When it spoke about the research in ABL concept, which has a BLI thruster
are more efficient because they do not work 2018, NASA said the testing would involve mounted in the tail, and the N3-X concept
as hard, with the engines literally ingesting researchers changing the wind tunnel speed which has aft-mounted engines to ‘re-
high-speed airflow. and varying the boundary layer thickness and energise’ the aft boundary layer.
NASA Glenn has tested a new Boundary fan operation, “to see how these changes
Layer Ingesting Inlet/Distortion Tolerant Fan affect the propulsor’s performance, operability ONERA Nova
propulsor designed by United Technologies and structure”. Research into BLI is not unique to NASA.
Research Center in its high-speed 8 x 6ft The agency said results of the tests will be Working under a European Commission-
(2.4 x 1.8m) wind tunnel. Industry, NASA and applicable to “multiple cutting-edge aircraft funded project called DisBURSAL, Bauhaus
academic experts contributed to the design designs” being pursued by NASA as well as Luftfahrt is studying BLI in its Centreline
and analysis. by academic and private industry partners. project, leading the design of a turbo-
NASA Glenn engineers modified the The agency has not revealed any detail about electric version of the Ce-Liner involving a
wind tunnel at the facility to accept the results, but said it plans to continue third tail-mounted turbine engine powering
the fan, installing an active boundary BLI propulsion technology research and a BLI thruster.
At the DLR, researchers are investigating
the potential of boundary layer-ingesting
propulsion systems as part of the EU CleanSky
Hyper-F research project. Focus areas are the
interaction between unsteady airflow and fan
design, acoustics, structural mechanics and
the performance and operating characteristics
of the entire propulsion system.
Separately, the French aerospace research
centre ONERA is studying a BLI thruster in its
Nova concept for a medium-haul transport
aircraft able to carry 180 passengers on
3,000-nautical-mile (5,556km) routes at
Mach 0.82. Nova is also exploring new
possibilities for wing and engine options
integration options, such as modifying the
wing dihedral angle in its inner portion to a
gull-wing shape, semi-buried engines in the
fuselage fed by a BLI air intake, and a high-
aspect ratio wing with downward-oriented
The Bird of Prey is intended to inspire a new generation of designers with biomimicry features. Airbus winglets to improve aerodynamics.

68 | www.airinternational.com
FUTURE AIRLINER CONCEPTS TECHNOLOGY

ONERA also has a cooperative agreement be capable of Mach 25 in rocket mode for Opportunities?
with Airbus and the DLR to research spaceflight, although the company says Despite all the various research activities
computational fluid dynamics capabilities it, “can be scaled in size to provide different underway into new power sources like
for flow prediction. This has created what levels of thrust for different applications”, these and new airframe configurations
Airbus calls a “common development and with the engine also able to operate at Mach in which they could be installed, there is
integration team with the capability to 5.4 in air-breathing mode. obviously a bigger question: will any of
deliver tested and industry-ready code The company says SABRE-powered high- these futuristic concepts become reality?
containing the latest state-of-the-art speed airliners will be capable of cutting All the different, potentially game-
features relevant to aeronautics”. the flight time from London to Australia to changing, disruptive technologies are
four-and-a-half hours, with SABRE also being being studied because they have very clear
Biomimicry developed for a new generation of rockets to promise. As ONERA has observed, “the
Among other research projects for new airliner provide access to space. remaining gains to be obtained by [current
technologies, Airbus’ Bird of Prey concept In October 2019, Reaction Engines aircraft] are now very low”, which opens the
announced in July 2019 stands out. Although this announced it had successfully tested an door for more focus and investment in new
project’s primary purpose is simply to act as an innovative precooler at airflow temperature configurations.
inspiration for future aerospace engineers, it has conditions representing Mach 5. A ground- On the other hand, airliners with the
nevertheless provided a striking representation based test at a specially constructed facility type of exotic new technologies profiled
of what a future turboprop-powered regional at the Colorado Air and Space Port achieved in this article are trying to break the
aircraft with around 80 seats could look like. the highest temperature objective of its mould of an industry with mature aircraft,
The Bird of Prey’s most notable feature HTX testing programme. The precooler engines and systems and a very established
is a bird-like blended wing and tail successfully quenched airflow temperatures infrastructure of suppliers, operators and
structure, designed to mimic a bird of prey’s in excess of 1,000°C (1,832°F) in less than 1/20 airports supporting them.
aerodynamic profile. It has movable wingtip of a second. The hundreds of thousands of flights
surfaces, mimicking an eagle’s wings, to Reaction Engines said: “The tests carried out safely every day worldwide
provide active flight control and minimise demonstrated the precooler’s ability to cool testify to this maturity. Moreover, aircraft
drag and noise. There is a split tail to provide airflow at speeds significantly in excess of the with disruptive new technologies will,
control and no vertical tail to reduce drag. operational limit of any jet-engine powered as ONERA has noted, “have to convince
aircraft in history. This most recent test builds regulatory authorities and cost-sensitive
Hypersonic airliner upon the success of previous HTX hot tests decision-makers in the airline business”.
The UK-based Reaction Engines has been undertaken in April, which saw the precooler Ultimately, the conventional tube-
working on technologies for its SABRE successfully operate at temperatures of 420­oC and-wing configuration has endured for
(Synergetic Air Breathing Rocket Engine) (788oF) – matching the thermal conditions decades because it works. Regardless of
for propelling both high-speed aircraft and corresponding to Mach 3.3 flight.” how novel technologies are, if ambitious
spacecraft for 30 years. The precooler heat exchanger is an futuristic visions are to move from concept
By combining the fuel efficiency of a jet enabling technology for other precooled to reality, they will need to be cost-
engine with the power and high-speed propulsion systems and a range of effective, s calable and above all practical.
ability of a rocket, the SABRE engine will commercial applications, the company said. AI

Airbus, ONERA and the DLR are researching computational fluid dynamics. Airbus

www.airinternational.com | 69
MILITARY MALAYSIAN F/A-18D HORNETS

Two F/A-18Ds break over Langkawi


airfield during an airshow.
All images Nigel Pittaway

T
he eight McDonnell Douglas an all-weather, multi-role aircraft.
F/A-18D Hornets in service with Reportedly unable to afford sufficient
the Tentera Udara Diraja Malaysia quantities of a western fighter design,
(TUDM – Royal Malaysian Air the Government subsequently
Force) represent, together with elected to purchase just eight
the Sukhoi Su-30MKM, the cutting edge of Hornets and also acquire the (much cheaper)
Malaysian air power today. MiG-29N from Russia.
In recent years, the small but capable fleet The F/A-18D Hornet was ordered in the
of Hornets have been called upon to drop middle of 1993 and the acquisition contract
weapons in anger in East Malaysia, flying was subsequently signed on December 9,
strikes against armed insurgents, and have 1993. TUDM crews travelled to the United
undergone a significant upgrade to keep them States to undertake training with the United
relevant into the next decade. States Marine Corps, who also operate
In 2018, the TUDM deployed Hornets to the twin-seat F/A-18D version of the
Australia for only the second time since they popular Hornet family. The TUDM aircraft
entered service in 1997, when five aircraft subsequently arrived in Malaysia in two
participated in Exercise Pitch Black 2018. batches of four aircraft during 1997.
During Pitch Black, the largest air combat To operate the new aircraft, the TUDM
exercise in the southern hemisphere, AIR established No.18 Skuadron (Squadron) at
International was privileged to visit the TUDM Base Butterworth, situated on the east
TUDM Hornet detachment in Darwin to find coast of the Malaysian Peninsular opposite
out more. the resort island of Penang. Although their
official name is Lipan (a local species of
Hornets for Malaysia centipede) the squadron refers to itself as the
By the early 1990s the TUDM was, from a ‘Mighty Hornets’ and their unit crest also aptly
technology standpoint, in danger of falling depicts a Hornet. The squadron is tasked with
behind its rival, the Republic of Singapore interdiction and maritime strike missions. In
Air Force, which was then introducing the TUDM service, the Hornets carry the serials
General Dynamics F-16A/B Fighting Falcon, M45-01 to M45-08 and to date, none have
under a major modernisation plan. been lost in accidents.
In response, the Malaysian government In-country support for the Hornet
under the leadership of Dr Mahatir Mohamad, was provided by the original equipment
then (as now) the country’s Prime Minister, manufacturer, initially by McDonnell
embarked upon its own modernisation Douglas before the company was merged
plans for the TUDM in the early 1990s. with Boeing in August 1997. Boeing has
Malaysia’s most potent fighter at that time continued to support Malaysia’s Hornet fleet
was the Northrop F-5E and F-5F Tiger II at Butterworth, including the completion of
but the TUDM also had a requirement for the fleet upgrade in 2017.

Malaysia’s mig
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MALAYSIAN F/A-18D HORNETS MILITARY

TUDM Hornets described


Malaysia’s Hornets are similar to their twin-
seat US Marine Corps equivalents, including
a mechanically-scanned Raytheon APG-73
fire control radar, General Electric F404-402
engines and BAE Systems ALE-47 Airborne
Countermeasures Dispenser System. The initial
four aircraft (M45-01 to M45-04) are fitted with
flight controls in the rear cockpit to assist local
conversion and training, and the remainder have
a rear cockpit in a similar configuration to the
US Marine Corps F/A-18Ds operated by the all-
weather attack squadrons.
Initial weapons included Raytheon’s AIM-9L
and AIM-9P Sidewinder, AIM-7M Sparrow, Boeing
AGM-84A Harpoon anti-shipping missile, Bristol
Aerospace CVR-7 rockets and a range of laser-
guided precision weapons. As delivered, the
targeting pod was the Lockheed Martin AAS-38
Nitehawk, but the recent upgrade has seen this
replaced by a modern pod.
The aircraft wore an overall ‘Gunship Grey’
colour scheme on delivery but this is now
giving way to a lighter shade, referred to by
local sources as Air Mobility Command grey
but, unlike the MiG-29N and F-5E and F-5F,
Malaysia’s Hornets have never worn permanent
unit markings.
In December 2005 the US government
approved the sale of Raytheon AIM-120 AMRAAM
missiles to Malaysia for use on its Hornet fleet
and these weapons had all been delivered by the
middle of 2008. In April 2007, Raytheon was also
awarded a contract by the US government for the
upgrade of 57 TUDM AIM-9M missiles, with the
work completed in 2009.

More sting for TUDM Hornets


The durability of the Hornet designed has served
the TUDM well and it is worth noting that by the
end of the last decade the service was struggling to
keep its MiG-29N fleet in the air, whereas the F/A-
18D was looking forward to a capability upgrade.
Fast forward to the present day and the MiGs
have long been withdrawn from use and even the
much-vaunted and more recent Su-30MKM fleet is
displaying very low serviceability rates.

Nigel Pittaway provides an


overview of the Tentera Udara
Diraja Malaysia’s F/A-18D
Hornet fleet

ighty Hornets www.airinternational.com | 71


MILITARY MALAYSIAN F/A-18D HORNETS

At the Langkawi International Maritime and flying, suppression of enemy air defences, and
Aerospace exhibition in December 2011, Boeing reconnaissance, forward air control, close
announced it had won a major FMS contract air support and aerial refuelling missions,
for the design, development and installation of including the use of night vision goggles.
retrofit kits for the TUDM Hornet fleet, intended The TOFT includes two separate but linked
to enhance navigation, targeting and situational cockpits, one each for the pilot and weapons
awareness. Included in the upgrade were a systems operator and was subsequently
colour moving map cockpit display, enhanced delivered to Butterworth in December 2014. L3
Identification Friend or Foe capabilities and the Link vice president of strategic development,
addition of a Joint Helmet Mounted Cueing Frank Casano, said: “The F/A-18D Tactical
System. Software was also to be upgraded to the Operational Flight Trainer delivered to the
then-current 25X configuration. Royal Malaysian Air Force will provide a
At the time of contract award, Julie Praiss, significant increase in training capability. This
director of Tactical Aircraft and Weapons enhanced level of training will enable aircrews
Support at Boeing Global Services and to prepare for the full range of force multiplier
Support, said: “These upgrades will deliver capabilities that the F/A-18D can support
enhanced capability for the TUDM (Hornet) during rapidly changing battle scenarios.”
fleet to remain effective, interoperable with Initial upgrade work was carried out by
allies and operationally relevant for years to Boeing in St Louis, but all subsequent aircraft
come. Boeing looks forward to our continued were upgraded at Butterworth, with the final
partnership with the Royal Malaysian Air Force aircraft completed in April 2015. In 2017 the
and the US Navy to ensure that these F/A- Hornet celebrated 20 years of operational
18Ds continue to serve Malaysia’s strike and service with the TUDM and one aircraft
interdiction mission needs.” (M45-01) was painted in special markings to
Concurrent with this upgrade was the commemorate the event.
replacement of the Nitehawk targeting pod
with the next generation Raytheon ASQ-228 Strike missions - Operation Daulat
Advanced Targeting Forward-Looking Infra- Malaysia’s Hornets went to war in 2013 in
Red pod and the sale of the latest version TUDM F/A-18D M45-01 painted with a full colour tail response to an incursion of armed militants
to mark the 20th anniversary of Hornet ops.
of the Sidewinder missile, the AIM-9X-2 from the Philippines in the Lahad Datu District
Block II weapon to Malaysia. Other weapons of Sabah, East Malaysia, on the island of
capabilities added during this process Borneo. The Malaysian Government declared
included global positioning system guidance an emergency in response to the conversion
kits for the Joint Direct Attack Munition and the following stand-off was eventually
(JDAM) series of precision weapons. resolved by a major military operation, which
In 2012, L3 Link Simulation and Training included the use of airpower.
was awarded a contract by the US Naval Air Airstrikes were carried out by the Hornets of
Warfare Training Systems Division for the 18 Skuadron and BAE Systems Hawk Mk208s of
supply of an F/A-18D Tactical Operational 6 Skuadron against the intruders under Operasi
Flight Trainer to Butterworth in support of (Ops) Daulat (Operation Daulat), the Malaysian
the upgraded aircraft. The trainer is capable Defence Force’s combined response to the
of realistically simulating close formation emergency. The first airstrike was carried out in

TUDM maintainers conduct post-mission


checks at RAAF Base Tindal during
Exercise Pitch Black.

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MALAYSIAN F/A-18D HORNETS MILITARY

Mej Fauzi said: “We are participating in the


day and night missions during Pitch Black,
mainly in the LFE phase. We have brought
five jets down to Darwin, together with a
maintenance force.”
He added: “Operating as part of the LFE
is different to back home, where we don’t
operate with so many assets, but here it’s large
scale – operating with different nations (and)
different procedures and there are differences
on the operations side. We have learned a lot,
regarding procedures and how other nations
operate, so we can bring some of the good
things back home to learn and digest.”
Although 18 Skuadron did not employ live
air-to-ground weapons on the Delamere
Air Weapons Range within the Pitch Black
training area, it did simulate the use of 500lb
(227kg) GBU-38 JDAMs during close air
support missions.
Mej Fauzi, who has been flying the Hornet
for four years, said: “We brought five jets and
we fly four at any one time, we switch between
Blue and Red air, but we’re doing more flying
for Blue. We are flying both air-to-air and
air-to-ground missions during Pitch Black and
the learning outcomes are not just from the air
The TUDM always provides a rigorous F/A-18D flight demonstration at the Langkawi airshow.
operations themselves, but also the exercise
planning and so forth, there are lots to bring
Lahad Datu on March 15, 2013, a month after Butterworth on July 24, 2018, flying via Kuching back home.”
the insurgents had arrived in Sabah by boat. and Denpasar and arrived in Darwin on the He added: “We brought the A400M, but we
One F/A-18D aircraft (M45-07) released following day. have also been tanking with the KC-30A. The
two 1,000lb (454kg) GBU-16 Paveway IIs in The TUDM Hornets were based at Darwin A400M is dedicated to us but we also wanted
an airstrike on targets at Kampung Tando for for the duration of PB18, operating from a to try tanking with other platforms. It depends
the first time on the above date, reportedly series of shelters, alongside RAAF F/A-18A/B on the mission, how long we want to stay in
marking the first use of the weapon under Hornets from 77 Squadron. Using the squadron’s the fight, so we plan the tanking through the
operational circumstances in the region. M45- Ghostrider callsign, the first TUDM Hornet mission planning cell. We don’t often deploy
07 was suitably marked with mission markings PB18 sortie was flown by M45-01 and M45-06 outside Malaysia for exercises and Pitch Black is
after the event to denote the type of weapons on July 30, 2018 and during the exercise, 18 our longest deployment.”
released and other TUDM Hornets noted with Skuadron participated in daily day and night Finally, describing the upgraded capabilities
Ops Daulat mission markings include M45-01 sorties, operating as either Red air or Blue air as of the TUDM Hornet, Mej Fauzi said: “We use
and M45-02. When M45-01 was repainted required by mission planners, during the large ATFLIR for the close air support part of the
to commemorate the 20th anniversary of force employment (LFE) phase. The LFE Phase exercise, which gives us greater definition
TUDM Hornet operations during 2017, the involved up to 80 combat jets, from nine nations than the previous Nitehawk targeting pod.
Ops Daulat tally was amended to include the and during this time, the TUDM Hornets were We’ve had AIM-9X in the inventory for the last
numbers of each weapon released, rather also cleared to receive fuel from the RAAF’s two years, when we were upgraded to 25X
than just the type. Airbus KC-30A Multi-Role Tanker Transport. software and that gave us JHMCS capability
During the first week of the two-week LFE as well. Pitch Black was really challenging, but
Mighty Hornets down under Phase, AIR International spoke with Mejar in a good way. We learned a lot during the
TUDM Hornets first participated in a Pitch Black (Major) Faiz Fauzi, callsign Havoc, a Hornet pilot exercise, and we will take a lot of the lessons
exercise in Australia in 2008 when six aircraft with 18 Skuadron about his experiences. learned back home.” AI
deployed from Butterworth to Darwin, marking
their longest deployment since arriving in
Malaysia in 1997. The six aircraft were supported
on the flight by a Lockheed KC-130H Hercules
from 20 Skuadron TUDM, which also participated
in the exercise, regularly refuelling the F/A-18Ds
on air combat missions. During Pitch Black
2008, the TUDM Hornets also regularly tanked
from Royal Australian Air Force Boeing 707
tankers, which were then in the twilight of their
operational careers.
Malaysia’s Hornets regularly participate in Five
Power Defence Arrangements exercises, such as
Bersama Lima and Bersama Shield series, with
RAAF Hornets and fighters from other partner
nations on home soil, but their second major
international deployment was again to Australia
in 2018. Pitch Black 2018 (PB18) was also the
first time the jets had participated in a large
multilateral exercise since they were upgraded
with the 25X software, JHMCS, ATFLIR and AIM-
9X-2 capability.
Five F/A-18Ds were involved in Pitch Black
2018 (M45-01, 02, 06, 07, 08), together with a
supporting Airbus A400M from 22 Skuadron
(M54-04). The combined force departed A TUDM F/A-18D uploads fuel from a Royal Australian Air Force KC-30A tanker during Pitch Black.

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MILITARY EXERCISE RED FLAG AT 44

The crew of a RC-135 assigned to the 38th


Reconnaissance Squadron based Offutt Air Force
Base, Nebraska, prepare for night operations during
Red Flag 16-3 at Nellis Air Force Base, Nevada.
Airman 1st Class Kevin Tanenbaum/US Air Force

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EXERCISE RED FLAG AT 44 MILITARY

Red Flag’s
big shift
On the 44th anniversary of the first Red Flag at Nellis Air
Force Base, Mark Ayton charts the origin, objectives and
evolution of America’s premier air warfare exercise

www.airinternational.com | 75
MILITARY EXERCISE RED FLAG AT 44

A B-1B Lancer assigned to the 34th Bomb Squadron based


at Ellsworth Air Force Base, South Dakota undergoes
pre-flight checks during night operations at Red Flag 17-1.
Airman 1st Class Kevin Tanenbaum/US Air Force

F
or those readers fortunate enough so aircraft. Not just fighters and strike fighters, Red Flag 1
to have visited the State of Nevada, but electronic attack, command and control, The first edition of Red Flag started at Nellis
the City of Las Vegas or indeed rescue and ISR aircraft, and of course tankers on November 29, 1975 with five units, 37
Nellis Air Force Base, you’ll know and strategic bombers. aircraft and 561 personnel participating. Just
what notable places they are. Find Back in 1991, a Red Flag mission involved 552 sorties were flown over a four-week
yourself at Nellis during a Red Flag exercise 100+ aircraft taking off from Nellis in a well- period ending December 20, very few by
and you’re likely to see witness and significant orchestrated flow, all bound for the Nevada comparison to modern day editions.
amount of flight operations. When the author Test and Training Range to the north. Modern The Nellis-based 4440th Tactical
first visited Nellis, during a Red Flag at least, day Red Flags involve quite considerably Fighter Training Group, a component of
in the summer of 1991, the exercise was a different take-off flows; more fragmented the Tactical Fighter Weapons Center, held
six-week long event, organised in three two- with fewer aircraft. The mix of aircraft seen responsibility for implementation of the
week phases. Each phase involved around in a modern day Red Flag does of course Red Flag programme designed to provide
150 aircraft from all US armed services. Fast involve types that are much more capable combat training for squadron size units,
forward to this summer’s Red Flag, and the than their predecessors of the late 1980s and complementary support forces, and other
event looks very different. Long gone are early 1990s. Gone are the A-6 Intruders, A-7 major commands and services.
the six-week, three phase editions. Instead, Corsairs, F-4 Phantoms and F-14 Tomcats. Lead unit was the F-4D Phantom-equipped
a three-week one phase edition. No longer In are EA-18G Growlers, F-15E Strike Eagles, 49th Tactical Fighter Wing based at Holloman
during Red Flag is the vast Nellis flight line F-16C Fighting Falcons, F-22 Raptors and Air Force Base, New Mexico tasked with
rammed with 150 aircraft, mostly fighter/ F-35 Lightning IIs. Occasionally, B-2 Spirit strike missions against targets defended
strike fighter types, but sprinkled with 80 or bombers also participate. by Soviet surface-to-air missiles and anti-
aircraft artillery batteries. Back then, the T-38
Talon and F-5 Tiger II-equipped 64th Fighter
Weapons Squadron, the forerunner of today’s
F-16C-equipped 64th Aggressor Squadron,
provided a Soviet-style Red air opposing
force. Of the five Blue air units participating
in Red Flag 1 was an unknown Wild Weasel
F-105G Thunderchief squadron. The other
three participating units remain unknown to
AIR International.
Such was the success of Red Flag I that
Tactical Air Command started a monthly
exercise programme; ten were staged each
year between 1976 and 1979. Unsurprisingly
the number of sorties flown each year
rocketed; 7,510 (1976), 14,987 (1977), 18,081
(1978), and 21,009 (1979). From 1980, Red
Flag switched to a lower tempo programme,
more similar to the modern day schedule.
Following the US Army’s establishment
of its National Training Center at Fort Irwin,
California in 1981, the Air Force removed
close air support from Red Flag transferring
A crew chief, assigned to the 4th Aircraft Maintenance Unit, launches an F-35A Lightning II at Nellis. the CAS-specific training to a new exercise
Ronald Bradshaw/US Air Force named Air Warrior.

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EXERCISE RED FLAG AT 44 MILITARY

Royal Australian Air Force F/A-18A Hornet A21-35 at Nellis


during Red Flag 19-1. This aircraft is painted with a full
colour tail marking the 75th anniversary of 77 Squadron.
Airman 1st Class Bailee Darbasie/US Air Force

Electronic warfare units attended Red Flag Red Flag’s 25th anniversary ‘There were reasons for this. Air warfare
for the first time in 1982, the same year that In the November 2000 issue of Air Force was focused on the air-to-ground dimension;
one edition was devoted to close air support. Times, Walter Boyne wrote about Red Flag American aircraft were employed in integrated
The first edition of the FY1983 programme to mark its 25th anniversary. Boyne provided strike packages designed to get bombs on
had a dedicated close air support unit as the lead considerable background information behind important targets. They were opposed by a
unit, the same year that one edition involved the objectives for establishing Red Flag at sophisticated defence system that incorporated
aircraft from five of the Air Force’s major Nellis. He wrote: ‘During the Vietnam War, anti-aircraft artillery, surface-to-air missiles, and
commands (Air Force Reserve, Air National it became apparent that the overwhelming interceptors operating under ground control.
Guard, Military Airlift Command, Strategic Air concern about flying safety in peacetime Boyne highlighted the lack of dissimilarity in
Command and Tactical Air Command), the US compromised air-to-air combat training to US Air Force air combat manoeuvre training at
Marine Corps and the US Navy. an unacceptable degree. The most tangible the time. He wrote: ‘Up to that time, the Air Force
Dedicated suppression of enemy air symptom of this failure was the decline in the had conducted almost all air combat manoeuvre
defence units attended for the first time in exchange ratio (enemy losses vs US losses) training by matching identical aircraft - F-4
1984 which helped open up the battlespace between US Air Force and enemy forces. The against F-4. Not only that, but US Air Force’s
to allow deep strike and offensive counter-air exchange ratio obtained in the Korean War training exercises usually featured duels between
operations to take place. had been a highly satisfactory 10-to-1. In fighter aircraft from the same squadron.
Red Flag planners introduced night the Southeast Asian conflict, however, that US Air Force pilots were inhibited by rules of
operations on 92-1 by moving the day time exchange ratio fell to less than 1-to-1 during a engagement requiring visual identification of
afternoon mission to night time. period in the spring of 1972. the enemy and thus ensuring that air combat
At a Red Flag staged in FY1995, the
B-2 Spirit bomber made its exercise
debut followed by regular appearances in
subsequent editions.
In 2000, two Red Flag periods were classed
as US-only editions, the so-called ‘Black Flags’
that included B-2 Spirit bombers, EC-130H
Compass Call electronic warfare aircraft, RC-
135 Rivet Joint reconnaissance aircraft, E-8
Joint STARS battle management, command
and control aircraft, F-117 Nighthawk strike
aircraft, U-2 surveillance aircraft and MQ-1
Predator unmanned aerial vehicles. Black
Flags also involved various systems used
to kinetically and non-kinetically target air
defence networks.
In February 2004 a Combined Air
Operations Center opened at Nellis. Dubbed
CAOC-N, the facility remains at the heart of all
training events conducted at the Nevada super
base and enabled considerable change to the
structure of Red Flag since its commissioning.
The facility enables all units, systems and
capabilities to plan and execute each mission
in the live fly training environment with real MH-60 Seahawk pilots assigned to Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron 23 (HSC-23) prepare to lift off from
time command and control. Nellis on a combat search and rescue mission during Red Flag. Airman 1st Class Bryan Guthrie/US Air Force

www.airinternational.com | 77
MILITARY EXERCISE RED FLAG AT 44

An Air Force pilot is picked up by an MH-60 Seahawk assigned to Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron 23 (HSC-23) during a combat search and rescue mission at Red Flag
19-1. Airman 1st Class Bryan Guthrie/US Air Force

would occur at close ranges, where gun He wrote: “After Vietnam, one change 64th Fighter Weapons Squadron at Nellis
armament had an edge over missiles. was the renewed emphasis on training the AFB, Nevada. It was equipped initially with
Boyne explained how, during the Vietnam human beings who had been shown in the T-38s and then with Northrop F-5E Tiger II
War, the US Air Force conducted a thorough Red Baron study to be poorly prepared for aircraft. These small supersonic aircraft were
analysis of air superiority operations called battle. Red Flag did not come into being used to simulate the MiG-21 in air combat
Red Baron. The study demonstrated three fully formed. It derived from a series of ideas manoeuvres. The resulting exercises [in
sobering facts about USAF aircrews: from different people over many years. In which F-5Es participated] were deemed to
• The enemy often caught them by surprise. the March 1968 issue of the Fighter Gunnery be so useful that the Air Force fashioned a
• They had inadequate training for the Newsletter, an article noted a change in second squadron, the 65th Fighter Weapons
mission. Tactical Air Command procedures calling Squadron, at Nellis and two more for
• They were not fully informed about the for training in dissimilar aircraft. The Air overseas training.
enemy. Force in the fall of 1972 established the Boyne detailed how Major Moody Suter, a
US Air Force officer who became known as
the father of Red Flag, and a strong proponent
of the aggressor squadron concept had
worked out the training programme at Nellis.
He wrote: “Suter was visualizing a large-scale
combat training operation going beyond
mere air-to-air combat manoeuvring. He saw
it from the start as a means of improving and
extending the ability of Air Force integrated
strike packages to get to their targets with
maximum accuracy and minimum losses.
Suter knew of studies demonstrating that
the majority of combat losses occur during
a pilot’s first ten combat missions. After
that point, losses dropped nearly to zero.
Suter argued for the creation of a training
environment so realistic that a new pilot
would log his first ten combat missions in a
controlled environment. The idea was that
when he went into actual combat, the pilot
would have ‘survived’ his most vulnerable
period. Red Flag was to teach pilots how to
adapt quickly to combat and show them what
would happen to them if they did not; an
An Airman assigned to the 388th Operations Support Squadron aircrew flight equipment shop, checks a mask environment that offered an intense learning
for an F-35 pilot. Ronald Bradshaw/US Air Force opportunity-and was not a career-threatening

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EXERCISE RED FLAG AT 44 MILITARY

F-35A Lightning II fighter jets assigned to the 388th Fighter Wing’s 4th Fighter Squadron on the Nellis flight-line during Red Flag 19-1 where the 388th served as lead
wing for the exercise. Ronald Bradshaw/US Air Force

test. Suter wanted to employ the whole said: “Debriefs are never unprofessional, our secret sauce, and part of the beauty of
force; tankers, electronic countermeasures, but the conversations can get heated. Red Flag.”
bombers, fighters, reconnaissance aircraft Frankly, you have a lot of pilot egos in Captain Tyler D’Agostino, a pilot with the
against a realistic enemy that operated that room, and nobody wants to stand on 79th FS said the Nellis range provides valuable
advanced radar systems, integrated missile that stage embarrassed at becoming the and realistic simulation of enemy missile
and anti-aircraft systems, and first-rate, DFP [the debrief focal point]. The DFP is systems. He said: “These allow us to test
dissimilar interceptors.’ the main thing that went wrong on the and validate our techniques and procedures
Walter Boyne wrote: ‘The Gulf War of 1991 mission, and you might spend two hours against today’s modern air and ground
was the first war to showcase the results of analysing and talking about that one threats, operating with units from Australia,
Red Flag, and it produced a curious tribute. It mistake to make sure it never happens the UK and the US Navy against a multitude of
came from an Air Force pilot who, returning again in actual combat. That can require potential threats.” Senior Airman Christopher
from a combat mission over Iraq, was heard speaking truth to power. So the debrief is Maldonado/US Air Force
to remark, “It was almost as intense as Red
Flag.”

Red Flag 19-1: Wild Weasels


Airmen assigned to the F-16C-equipped 79th
Fighter Squadron based at Shaw Air Force
Base, South Carolina participated in this year’s
first edition of Red Flag dubbed 19-1. During
the three-week event the 79th FS conducted
its core suppression of enemy air defences
role as part of the air superiority mission. Red
Flag 19-1 included Royal Air Force and Royal
Australian Air Force aircraft.
Discussing the exercise, 414th Combat
Training Squadron commander, Colonel
Michael Mathes spoke of five ways to quantify
flag-unique warfighter culture at Nellis.
He said: “We give the fighters professional
adversaries, integration with forces they can’t
integrate with anywhere else, personnel
recovery integration they can’t get anywhere
else, a debrief that can’t be replicated
anywhere else and a resilient air fighter
culture.”
Commander of the 57th Adversary Crew chiefs assigned to the 4th Aircraft Maintenance Unit prepare to launch F-35A Lightning II fighter jets
Tactics Group, Colonel Travolis Simmons during Red Flag 19-1. Ronald Bradshaw/US Air Force

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MILITARY EXERCISE RED FLAG AT 44

Members of the 62nd Fighter Squadron from Luke Air Force Base Arizona pose for a group photo
at Nellis on March 9, 2019 during Red Flag 19-2. The team included Italian, Norwegian and US
personnel. Airman 1st Class Bryan Guthrie/US Air Force

can function as a team. It moves to package Explaining the importance of debriefs


Red Flag 19-1: Adjustments integration, which makes sure that functional Mathes said: “We are leveraging new
Red Flag is a realistic multi-domain training teams, like strike fighters and bombers – can technology to validate mission effects and
exercise that maximizes the combat work together. Then we get to Red Flag where compile data so we can quickly give facts to
readiness and survivability of participating multi-package integration comes into play, the mission commander, tactical mentors
units by providing a robust, accurate training learning how to integrate different packages and air expeditionary wing leadership. This
environment. –superiority, strike and mobility aircraft – into facilitates a more efficient and effective
The exercise has been run by the 414th one mission to achieve the same goal.” process of providing information for the
Combat Training Squadron for years and According to Mathes, Red Flag enables the Air person-to-person debrief, where the learning
changes are afoot to improve efficiency at Force to quickly harness readiness through really happens. Airman 1st Class Bryan
base. exposure to professional adversaries, also Guthrie/US Air Force
Col Mathes said units arrive at Nellis at known as the Red force and reckons Red Flag
varying levels of being prepared. By the end will continue to evolve further to meet today’s Red Flag 19-1: F-35A pilots
of three weeks, units are not just capable challenges. He said: “We’re continuing to One unit participating in Red Flag 19-1 was
of executing their wartime mission with improve threat replication, how we focus on the 4th Fighter Squadron based at Hill Air
confidence. They are ready for combat. The the supported commands and implementing Force Base, Utah which was on its first visit to
value of integration exercises like Red Flag is improvements to our debrief process to make the exercise newly equipped with the F-35A
in the building block approach. It starts with the training more effective and efficient.” Lightning II.
unit-level preparation, making sure the unit

Ronald Bradshaw/US Air Force

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EXERCISE RED FLAG AT 44 MILITARY

Fuerza Aérea Colombiana Boeing 767 tanker, serial number 1202,


during engine start prior to a Red Flag 19-2 aerial refuelling mission
with US Navy EA-18G Growlers. TSgt Angela Ruiz/US Air Force

Unit commander, Lieutenant Colonel Yosef a force that fights in all domains to take skinny.’ With the F-35, we can think through
Morris said the biggest difference between out or limit the technologies that modern a mission and choose how we want to attack
Red Flag 19-1 and the one involving the first aircraft and weapons depend upon; the it to make everyone more survivable.”
Hill-based F-35A squadron two years ago was F-35A has the ability to cut through such Breaking Defense also reported that
the number of pilots on their first assignment; clutter as Lieutenant Landon Moores a new Red Flag 19-1 also incorporated some
thirteen had never flown the F-35 in Red Flag, pilot with the 4th FS explained: “One of the political ambiguity, IFF (identify friend or foe)
and four had just graduated pilot training. jet’s greatest capabilities is to detect things challenges, and proxy war protocols that Air
He said: “Putting them alongside more that others can’t, take all the information Force pilots have encountered in Syria.
experienced wingmen is what Red Flag was it’s gathering from the sensors and present General Robert Novotny the 57th Wing
designed for. When I was a young pilot in them to the pilot. One of our biggest jobs is Commander said: “On top of those rules
the F-16, I had a couple of responsibilities learning how to process and prioritize that. of engagement challenges, Blue Forces at
in the cockpit. One, don’t lose sight of my Seeing the aircraft’s capabilities being put Red Flag are contested in the air, subject to
flight lead. Two, keep track of a bunch of to use as part of a larger force exercise has aggressor missile strikes on their operating
green blips on a small screen in front of me, been invaluable. When we mission plan with and logistics bases, and hit with cyberattacks
and correlate the blips to what someone is other units, it’s not always about kicking on their command-and-control and
telling me on the radio. Now, we’re flying down the door. It may be about looking at space systems designed to disrupt satellite
miles apart and interpreting and sharing what the enemy is presenting and ‘thinking communications and GPS targeting.”
information the jets gather, building a threat
and target picture. We’re asking way more
of young wingmen, but we’re able to do that
because of their training and the capabilities
of the jet.”
Captain James Rosenau flew the A-10 in
four previous Red Flags, but he was brand new
to the F-35 at Red Flag 19-1 having completed
the transition course in December 2018. He
said: “In the A-10, I was called upon to directly
support troops on the ground. To bring a fight
to the enemy. Now I like being the pilot who
can support legacy fighters when they may be
struggling to get into a target area because of
the threat level. The F-35 has more freedom
to operate and a big radar that can sniff out
threats. The jet can gather all of that and pass
it along or potentially take out those threats
ourselves.”
The Red force threat level is high
comprising advanced integrated air-
defence systems, an adversary air force, The US Navy regularly deploys EA-18G Growler aircraft to Red Flag to provide its highly specialised electronic
cyber-warfare and information operations, attack capability in the exercise scenarios. TSgt Angela Ruiz/US Air Force

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MILITARY EXERCISE RED FLAG AT 44

The Royal Netherlands Air Force participated in Red Flag 19-2 by deploying F-16 fighters to Nellis from its permanent training detachment at Tucson Air National
Guard Base. Airman 1st Class Bailee A. Darbasie/US Air Force

Novotny added: “The F-22 and F-35 of the 60-plus fourth-generation aggressor mission to analyse the outcome and look for
have complicated our job here at Red Flag, aircraft with robust electronic attack. ways to improve. 
because their speed, stealth and sensor fusion Colonel Wood had never seen anything like The 4th FS deployed 12 aircraft and more
capabilities make it difficult for our aggressors it before. He said: “It was a mission you would than 200 Airmen to Red Flag 19-1 – pilots,
to really challenge and push them. Nellis not want a young pilot flying in. My wingman maintainers, intelligence officers, weapons
officials are working hard to modernize the was a brand new F-35A pilot, seven or eight crews, and support personnel, including
air defence systems and aggressor squadron flights out of training. He told an experienced, reservists from the 419th Fighter Wing.
capabilities so they can keep pace, but it’s not 3,000-hour pilot in a very capable fourth- Maintainers didn’t lose a single sortie to a
a fair fight.” Micah Garbarino/US Air Force generation aircraft. ‘Hey bud, you need to turn maintenance ground-abort and had spare
around. You’re about to die. There’s a threat aircraft available for every mission. Lt Col
Red Flag 19-1: Proof in the off your nose. The young pilot then killed the Morris reckons that as the F-35A matures the
pudding enemy aircraft and had three more kills in Air Force will continue to perceive the jet as a
Airmen from the 4th FS and its parent 388th the hour-long mission. Even in this extremely significant force-multiplier in a threat-dense
and 419th Fighter Wings reckon that Red Flag challenging environment, the F-35 didn’t environment. Micah Garbarino/US Air Force
19-1 was an exponentially more challenging have many difficulties doing its job. That’s
exercise. The squadron’s F-35As were a testament to the pilot’s training and the Red Flag 19-2: Colombian tanker
integrated into a large Blue force and tasked capabilities of the jet.” In March the Colombian Air Force returned
with a diverse set of missions against an Each mission involved the squadron’s to Nellis for Red Flag 19-2. A single Boeing
equally capable Red force made up of hybrid aircraft being airborne for 90 minutes 767 Jupiter tanker spent three weeks at the
threats, combinations of the most advanced but more significantly 12 hours of intense Nevada super base flying daily missions too
weapons systems in existence to replicate planning the day prior, a two hour pre-brief, aerial refuel US Navy EA-18G Growlers by day
potential near-peer enemies. and then several hours of debriefing after the and night.
The 388th Operations Group commander,
Colonel Joshua Wood said that the threat
level and complexity are at a different level
compared to when he first took part in 2004.
He said: “It’s no longer assumed that we will
gain and maintain air superiority. That’s a big
shift.” 
Because of the diverse capabilities of
the Red force, many Red Flag missions are
flown in contested or denied environments
with active electronic attack, jamming of
communications, satellite communications
and GPS receivers for denial, the latter
performed by the 527th Space Aggressor
Squadron.
According to Lt Col Morris such situations
highlight the fifth-generation capabilities
of the F-35. He said: “We’re still able to
operate and be successful. Our ability to
continue to fuse and pass information to the
entire package makes every aircraft more
survivable.”
During the first week of Red Flag 19-1, the A crew chief, assigned to the 4th Aircraft Maintenance Unit, prepares to launch an F-35A Lightning II at
F-35 pilots flew in a counter-air mission as Nellis. The 4th Fighter Squadron and 4th Aircraft Maintenance Unit participated in Red Flag 19-1, the units
part of a large Blue air force blinding many first attendance to the exercise since transition to the F-35A. Ronald Bradshaw/US Air Force

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EXERCISE RED FLAG AT 44 MILITARY

Aggressor units
57th Adversary Tactics Group 
Boasts the world’s most capable and professional aggressor force to train US and coalition personnel during exercises
and deployments, while overseeing US Air Force-wide air, air defence, space and information aggressor initiatives and
threat academic programmes. To accomplish this mission, it directs operations of seven squadrons, including three
geographically separated units.

57th Information Aggressor Squadron


The mission is to know, teach, and replicate advanced, realistic, and credible adversary cyber and information
operations to train US and coalition personnel.

64th Aggressor Squadron


One of two US Air Force professional adversary squadrons flying F-16C aircraft, the 64th AGRS prepares US and
coalition aircrews for aerial combat with accurate and realistic threat replication training.

177th Information Aggressor Squadron


A Kansas Air National Guard unit based at McConnell Air Force Base that provides adversarial replication of current and
emerging threats by gaining persistent access and exploiting all forms of cyber systems using network tactics, close
access and intelligence analysis.

507th Air Defense Aggressor Squadron


The 507th is the only squadron of its kind in the US Air Force. Its mission is to provide part-task and fully integrated
realistic surface-to-air threat replication (by utilizing surface-to-air missile simulators on the Nevada Test and Training
Range), training and instruction to US and coalition aircrew for full spectrum combat operations. In short, ensuring
pilots are more aware of what a potential enemy can do with a surface-to-air missile, and how to defeat it.

Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 122 (VMFA-122) 527th Space Aggressor Squadron
deployed to Nellis in July for its F-35B debut at Red Based at Schreiver Air Force Base, Colorado, the 527th was activated in 2000 as the first US Air Force space aggressor
Flag 19-3. One of the squadron’s pilots steps up the squadron. Its mission is to prepare US and coalition forces to fight in and through contested space environments by
crew access ladder to crew-up. Senior Airman Julian analysing, teaching and replicating realistic, relevant and integrated space threats. The 527th has three mission sets
Kemper/US Air Force
which involve GPS electronic attack (putting noise over the GPS signal to prevent reception), satellite communications
electronic attack (send noise to the satellite so communication on the satellite is no longer possible) and orbital
engagement systems (playing the role of an adversary against satellites).

Red Flag 19-2 was the first edition that air assets were killed during each mission,
Italian instructor pilots had flown F-35As according to the Italian Air Force. Moreover,
at Nellis. The Italian and Norwegian pilots the five aircraft deployed to Nellis were able
were tasked with air superiority missions in to launch 100% of the planned missions: two
the suppression of enemy air defences role four-ship missions, each day.
escorting Blue air aircraft and protecting them Aeronautica Militaire Major Alessandro P
from surface-to-air missile threats. Operating said: “The results achieved in the two weeks
with F-15Cs, the F-35As defended Blue air are almost unbelievable: the statistics do
aircraft from Red air fighters providing air not need comment. The F-35 was the most
An Airman assigned to the 94th Aircraft Maintenance superiority for the Blue air strike packages. effective asset in neutralizing surface-to-air
Unit reattaches a panel after performing Furthermore, flew some defensive counter air missile systems and absolutely essential in the
maintenance on an F-22’s avionics systems at Nellis. missions which involved conducting the battle timely sharing of all the specific information
Senior Airman Tristan Biese/US Air Force manager role, sharing tactical information to needed for the success of the mission.”
other aircraft. Major Emanuele A, one of the Italian IPs
Colombian Air Force Colonel Kerly F-35s acted as force enablers neutralizing flying with 62nd FS at Red Flag 19-2 said: “We
Sanchez, Colombian Air Force Red Flag several threats: on average about seven knew we had an operational advantage, due
delegation commander said: “It’s important surface-to-air missile systems and five Red to the fifth-generation technology, but we
for the Colombian Air Force to maintain
consistent training with NATO partners to RAF Lakenheath’s 492nd Fighter
increase interoperability and continue to be Squadron participated in Red
a good partner to its allies. Colombia is the Flag 19-3 operating from the
first and only Latin American country that is a revetments located on the
NATO Global Partner.” southern side of the runways
Red Flag 19-2 was the third time the which enabled the F-15E crews to
use live weapons. Airman 1st Class
Colombian Air Force had participated in the Olivia Grooms/US Air Force
exercise. Kfir fighters took part in 2012 and
2018, the latter also included a Boeing 767
Jupiter tanker. TSgt Angela Ruiz/US Air Force

Red Flag 19-2: Historical


participant
Something historical happened at Red Flag
19-2, the attendance of a multinational
squadron. Equipped with F-35A Lightning
II fighters and based at Luke Air Force Base,
Arizona, the 62nd Fighter Squadron ‘Spikes’
arrived at Nellis with five aircraft and a cadre
of instructor pilots from the US Air Force,
Aeronautica Militare and the Kongelige Norske
Luftforsvaret (Italian and Norwegian Air
Forces). Italian and Norwegian pilots train to
fly the F-35A with the 62nd FS.

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MILITARY EXERCISE RED FLAG AT 44

At Red Flag 19-3, the F-22-equipped 94th Fighter


Squadron was given the core function of air
superiority to provide air-to-air support to Blue air.
Airman 1st Class Bryan Guthrie/US Air Force

didn’t expect such a high kill ratio: in the 16 legs to protect the entire strike train and we we’ve had Marines as the lead Air Operations
offensive counter air missions we flew, we covered the whole time.” Center. We’ve had Marine Corps participation
neutralized more than 100 surface-to-air While the stats read well, Lt Col Lee said before, but not in such a leadership role
missile systems and never lost a plane.” the real story is that of the team’s integration where they were the ones that integrated Air
Major Alessandro P added: “During our and cohesion, teaching the participating units Force, Navy, Army, Marines, coalition.”
missions we were among the first to enter about the integration of the F-35 in a strike Marines from Marine Tactical Air Command
the area of operations, far beyond the package which means much more to the Squadron 38 (MTACS-38), 3rd Marine Aircraft
enemy lines, and the last to leave it, thanks 62nd FS and the F-35 program as a whole.” Wing led the Combined Air Operations Center
to the persistence and the low-observable According to a Luke Air Force Base the Nellis (CAOC-N) augmented by other units
characteristics of the aircraft. We were able 62nd FS destroyed a total of 110 surface-to- from both the 2nd and 3rd Marine Aircraft
to identify, transmit and neutralize ground air missiles during the 87 missions flown as Wings, none of whom had ever worked in an
and air threats very quickly, protecting Blue part of 18 large force missions. SSgt Jenna Air Operations Center before.
air’s assets in high threat environments: the Bigham/US Air Force and Colonel Igor Bruni/ Red Flag has evolved into two parts; the
capabilities of the F-35 were often decisive.” Aeronautica Militaire tactical portion, in which pilots perform the
Lieutenant Colonel Pete Lee, 62nd Fighter simulated combat flights, and the operational
Squadron commander said: “Red Flag 19-2 Red Flag 19-3: side, where military members in the CAOC-N
was the first time the F-35 was the dedicated Marines take charge train to control agencies that fight the war.
SEAD [suppression of enemy air defences] Air Force Lieutenant Colonel Julie Sposito- The CAOC is made up of military members
asset. We were tasked to protect other people Salceies, commander of the 505th Test across the Department of Defense and
and the F-35 is very good at that. We have the Squadron said: “This is the first time where coalition members, who work side by side

Airman 1st Class Bryan Guthrie/US Air Force

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EXERCISE RED FLAG AT 44 MILITARY

F-16C Fighting Falcon 97-0110/SW, assigned to the 55th


Fighter Squadron based at Shaw Air Force Base, South
Carolina, takes off from Nellis on an air superiority mission.
Airman 1st Class Bryan Guthrie/US Air Force

to coordinate and ensure execution of air


combat operations in an integrated manner.
Trainers and supervisors of the exercise,
known as the White force, put CAOC
members through both real and simulated
complex scenarios guided by subject
matter experts, to sharpen their decision
making skills.
MSgt Peyton Tomblin, superintendent of
the 505th Test Squadron said: “War is dynamic
and we make a plan for everything, but
nothing ever goes as planned. At Red Flag,
you’re just going through the motions as
planned, like the CAOC receiving a command
from the Coalition Forces Air Component
Commander for a rescue mission. And
then the White force, which builds up the
simulations and acts as the enemy in this
exercise, throws things in there that are not
planned.”
The Marines leading the CAOC at Red Flag
had experience running a Marine Tactical Air
Command Center (TACC), a smaller, similar
version of the CAOC. They had led exercises
such as Steel Knight 19, Pacific Blitz 19, An EA-18G Growler assigned to Electronic Attack Squadron 135 (VAQ-135) heads to the runway on a night
Weapons and Tactics Instructor Courses, and time Red Flag mission. Airman 1st Class Dwane R. Young/US Air Force
Integrated Training Exercises.
Lieutenant Colonel Grant Clester,
commanding officer of MTACS-38 said: “The
Marine TACC is scalable and flexible enough
to assume the responsibilities of a CAOC
and enable a Joint Force Air Component
Commander. Red Flag gives us the edge to
conduct large scale air operations with joint
and coalition forces in any clime and place.”
The higher level of operational assets,
dynamic pieces and joint-coalition based
training made the opportunity to lead the
CAOC so valuable.
Prior to 19-3, Marines assigned to MACG-
38 participated in Red Flag 19-1 which proved
to be such a good learning opportunity that
planning and preparation commenced for the
challenge of leading the CAOC during Red
Flag 19-3.
One of the initial training challenges that
every branch of the US military encounters
when running the CAOC at Nellis is the
diversity among the service branches and
coalition partners. Red Flag gives individuals
the unique opportunity to train alongside
others to strengthen their interoperability. Senior Airman Tristan Biese/US Air Force

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MILITARY EXERCISE RED FLAG AT 44

An HC-130J Combat King II aircraft assigned to the 71st Rescue Squadron based at Moody Air Force Base, Georgia, takes off for a personnel recovery mission.
Airman 1st Class Dwane Young/US Air Force

Royal Australian Air Force Flight Lieutenant Success of the Combat in 1975. Once the mission was done, El Dorado
Steven Booth, an exchange officer with the US Air Forces Canyon showed how F-111F bombers, classed
Marine Corps and assistant operations officer Once President Ronald Reagan authorised as tactical aircraft, provided effect classed as
for MTACS-38 explained: “At the tactical level, Operation El Dorado Canyon April 1986 units strategic-level. The latter was indicative of
I can share my knowledge and experience of the US Air Force and US Navy prepared to how aircraft assigned to the then Tactical Air
and at the same time fully understand and undertake an historic strike on Libya against its Command were supplanting missions once
integrate with a multi-functioning service leader, Colonel Muammar Gaddafi. flown by Strategic Air Command bombers;
that does procedures in a different way. Both From an Air Force perspective, El Dorado theatre air power had arrived. The eventual result
parties learn a lot from each other and revise Canyon proved that its post-Vietnam realistic of this mission supplanting was activation of
their own tactics, techniques and procedures training revolution worked. Aircrew tested Air Combat Command on June 1, 1992; the Air
to effectively create a more absolute and at Red Flag flew ten ‘combat missions’ in a Force’s brand new command that combined all
resolute way of solving problems.” training environment which prepared them combat-coded aircraft types previously assigned
“The Marines are very outspoken, direct in for real combat. For the F-111F-equipped 48th to both Tactical and Strategic Air Commands.
a very positive light and they are truth tellers. Tactical Fighter Wing based at RAF Lakenheath However, before the Air Force was
They don’t tell me what they think I want to in England two things were realised. One, Red able to activate Air Combat Command it
hear,” said Lieutenant Colonel Julie Sposito- Flag had prepared its aircrews for actual combat was tasked with another fight. This time
Salceies. “They brought new ideas into the through realistic training. Two, the combat the US-led operation to liberate Kuwait
CAOC, such as the execution checklist that success of El Dorado Canyon demonstrated from the occupying forces of the then
we will be implementing for future iterations.” how a new air warfare paradigm, led by Red Iraqi president Saddam Hussein dubbed
LCpl Levi Guerra/US Marine Corps Flag, had matured since the exercise’s inception Operation Desert Storm.

SSgt Natasha Stannard/US Air Force

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EXERCISE RED FLAG AT 44 MILITARY

The combat-coded Air Force of 1990 was SSgt Natasha Stannard/US Air Force
better equipped, better trained and better
prepared to engage Iraqi forces than their
predecessors in Vietnam. Thanks to realistic
training at events like Red Flag, pilots and
weapon system officers flying Air Force
combat-coded types were able to dominate
the conflict in an unprecedented way.
The new air warfare paradigm introduced
at Red Flag was applied to Operation Desert
Storm in January 1991 changing decades old
concepts of operation pretty much forever.
Choosing precise delivery rather than
just precision-guided munitions for targets
in Desert Storm showed the effect Red
Flag had on the planning and execution of
the operation.
Fancy kit or not, it was the pilot’s
responsibility to complete the complex
mission tasked.
Red Flag’s procedures are designed to
destroy an enemy’s ability to conduct combat
operations by integrating all available assets
and aspects of air power. In Desert Storm,
air planners sought to destroy strategic and more than a year of fighting within the Red Flag’s success led to dozens of
tactical targets, and force enemy units to province and the failure of international efforts countries applying to participate. Many
react without input from their command. to resolve the conflict by diplomatic means. nations have attended from Asia, Europe,
The Iraqi air defence system remained potent From a US Air Force perspective, Allied the Middle East and South America. Exercise
throughout the air campaign successfully Force showed that the realistic training planners continue to train aircrews to conduct
engaging 23 coalition aircraft with anti-aircraft conducted by combat-coded aircrew at Red air warfare in an operational theatre of war.
artillery fire and surface-to-air missiles to Flag worked, none more so than for two Despite its longevity and success to date,
shoot down. specific roles; close air support and combat Red Flag attracts different perceptions; world’s
After the decisive nature of the US-led search and rescue. most prestigious combat training exercise or
air war against Iraq in early 1991, exercise During a night time mission from Aviano Air an innovative training event that continually
planners at Red Flag moved to night time Base, Italy, F-117 Nighthawk pilot Lieutenant adapts to America’s perceived threats.
operations and increased the number of Colonel Dale Zelko was shot down close US Air Force combat successes in
aircraft participating in each edition. to the Serbian capital Belgrade. Dozens of Operations El Dorado Canyon, Desert Storm,
Only three years passed before the US aircraft were involved in Zelko’s rescue that Allied Force, Iraqi Freedom, and Enduring
Air Force was called to task again, this time night which once again showed how very Freedom have led to a comprehensive type of
in Balkan skies to push back and ultimately realistic combat search and rescue training aerial warfare dubbed theatre air power. Major
engage with the armed forces of the then with emphasis on exact timings and close Moody Suter’s 1975 roll-out of Exercise Red
President of Serbia, Slobodan Milošević. coordination saved Zelko from capture by Flag has changed the way in which the US Air
NATO launched Operation Allied Force in Serbian forces. First and foremost, Zelko had Force conducts combat operations. AI
March 1999, an air campaign designed to halt the various aircrews to thank for his rescue,
the humanitarian catastrophe unfolding in but also the training given to those aircrews at
Kosovo. The decision to intervene followed Red Flag.

Royal Australian Air Force E-7A Wedgetail A30-002 assigned to


2 Squadron taxies at Nellis for a Red Flag mission in which the
aircraft was tasked to provide command and control capability.
Airman 1st Class Dwane Young/US Air Force

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MILITARY INTERNATIONAL FLIGHT TRAINING SCHOOL

Italy’s international
flight training school
In an exclusive interview with Colonel Luigi Casali, Chief of Planning and
Operations for 61° Stomo, Riccardo Niccoli reports from Lecce Air Base, Italy on
the joint flight training school run by Leonardo and the Aeronautica Militare

THE AUTHOR began the interview by Author: “What is the planned service entry
discussing the period of great change date for the T-345, and in what measure
which 61° Stormo has gone through, asking does it stand in respect of the aircraft that it
Colonel Casali to briefly describe what the will replace, the T-339A?”
objectives were, and what the plan was to Colonel Casali: “The gradual introduction
achieve them? into service of the T-345 is planned to
Colonel Casali: “For some time 61° commence in 2020. The introduction
Stormo has been involved in a substantial of a new weapon system is in itself an
process of transformation into a modern and extremely complex and articulated process,
international key facility. Several years ago within which a variety of factors play a
the Aeronautica Militare [Italian Air Force] role, operations, infrastructure, logistics,
decided to focus on the Salento region and qualification of the personnel. The
facility based on a series of factors, amongst Simulator based training is part of the M-346 variables that have to be considered are
which, in particular, were the decades of integrated training system. Featuring touch screens, infinite, and care must be taken to ensure
experience in the flying training sector, the and with very low operating costs, the system can nothing is overlooked or left to chance.
geographical and topographical area in be used by the students to gain familiarisation with Definitely our recent experience with the
which the airfield is located, the climate, the HOTAS switches and systems which all function phase-in of the T-346 will be a great help,
and, moreover, the integration of the base exactly like an M-346 aircraft. Riccardo Niccoli underpinned by the fact that the two aircraft
with the territory and its local institutions. are conceived with the same philosophy,
So, in the course of the last decade, the could be based around the common based around an integrated system of
flying school at Lecce-Galatina, thanks to factor of two national excellences, one training; therefore, in some ways the impact
upgrading of its infrastructure, introduction public and one private: the training will be less revolutionary in respect to the
of new technologies, reorganisation of the competences of the Aeronautica Militare recent past. It is not possible to compare the
unit structure which moved the focus of and the resources of the largest company aircraft with the MB.339 [T-339A], an aircraft
its activities toward the training of pilots in the Italian defence sector. Substantially which has been flying for 40 years, as we
destined for jet aircraft, and a fundamental the common objective was to expand are a generation, if not two, ahead. In the
review of the entire military pilot training the training on offer in the military flight development of this new trainer the concept
syllabus, has resulted in the stand-up of training sector in order to satisfy the of efficiency was given priority, a concept
a training facility of absolute excellence, growing needs, emerging above all from which is reflected in the actual designation
attracting the attention of numerous our international partners. This growth of the aircraft, High Efficiency Trainer. The
foreign air forces. Today, 61° Stormo, which will be articulated through a number of T-345 has exceptional capability to generate
represents a shop window for the AM and steps, which will initially see an additional sorties, and is a machine which can be
Italian industry in the world, hosts students delivery of aircraft (T-346 trainer aircraft utilised for up to five missions every day: this
and instructors from Argentina, Austria, have already been assigned to 61° Stormo); will allow pilot production, with a smaller
France, Greece, Kuwait, Singapore, Spain the introduction of the new T-345-HET number of aircraft, or a larger quantity of
and the United States, and continues to host and the concentration of phases 2 and 3 flying hours. Further savings in resources are
visits by foreign delegations. It continues at Lecce-Galatina, and the creation of a derived from the utilisation of an integrated
to develop and expand. Fundamental roles new structure at Decimomannu where platform with the aircraft, thanks to which
will be undertaken by the T-345, which Phase 4 on the T-346 will be conducted. it will be possible to reduce the training
will gradually replace the MB.339 fleet, and You could equate the concept of the timescale while obtaining an elevated quality
realisation of the International Flight Training revision of the syllabus with the world of of training and significantly lower cost
School [IFTS] project.” education: Phase 2 is the sixth form, Phase Another point in favour of the T-345
3 is a three-year degree, and Phase 4 is is down to the significant reduction in
Author: “Which phases and in what the Masters. Lecce-Galatina will expand operating costs in comparison to those
ways has the innovative IFTS accord with Phases 2 and 3, competencies instructed of the T-339. Summing up, the objective
Leonardo developed?” by the school for a long time. Future which we have been pursuing for some
Colonel Casali: “At the 2018 military pilots will continue to receive the years has been that of transferring the
Farnborough Air Show, General Vecciarelli, Turreted Eagle for which they strive so most advanced phases of training towards
the then Chief of the Air Staff and the CEO hard, the symbol of the Brevetto di Pilota more economical aircraft. Another factor
of Leonardo, Alessandro Profumo, signed Militare (Italian pilot’s military licence), which should not be overlooked is the
an agreement finalising the launch of the during the solemn Eagle wings ceremony’ compatibility with the T-346, a requirement
Italian International Flight Training School. at Galatina. The Aeronautica Militare has which will enable a less stressful transition
This collaboration was the result of a series created a board which works to ensure from Phase 3 ‘fighter’ to Phase 4. Finally, it
of ideas that the Italian defence structure this new method is achieved through is opportune to underline that the T-345
has developed together with Italian the programme and within the planned will also replace the MB.339PAN, the
industry. In detail, this was perceived to be timescale for the benefit of both the mount of our aerobatic team the Frecce
an initiative of high strategic value which system and the nation.” Tricolori, maintaining the link between

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FLIGHT TRAINING SCHOOL MILITARY

The M-345 prototype in


formation with an M-346 over
Lake Como; two complementary
jet trainer aircraft which can
be used for all phases of flight
training, from initial all the way
through lead in fighter training.
Leonardo

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MILITARY INTERNATIONAL FLIGHT TRAINING SCHOOL

An Aeronautica Militaire T-346A assigned to


212° Gruppo immediately prior to a training
mission from Lecce Air Base in March 2015,
when the type was undergoing its service
introduction phase. At the time, this aircraft
was brand new evidenced by a lack of a code
usually applied to the forward fuselage.
Riccardo Niccoli

Lecce-Galatina and the team, which will typical of a jet, and consequently possesses a attainment of the Brevetto di Pilota Militare,
see our students flying in the same aircraft wider flight envelope, both in terms of speed where the diversification is based on whether
as operated by the Pattuglia Acrobatica and altitude.” the student has been selected for the fighter,
Nazionale (national aerobatic team).” transport, helicopter, or remotely piloted
Author: “What do you consider to be the aircraft fleets. Since the early 1960s, as we
Author: “With the T-345, the Aeronautica principal advantage of Phase 2 and 3 training have noted, the use of jet trainers from
Militaire is confirming its faith in the training in a jet, when compared to a turboprop?” basic training has remained unchanged: we
philosophy adopted since the 1960s with Colonel Casali: “The jet vs turboprop began with the MB.326, then the MB.339,
the MB.326: a short screening phase on a evaluation goes hand-in-hand with the and now we will continue with the T-345.
propeller-driven light aircraft, and then the training system in use, with particular Certainly the effectiveness of the final product
bulk of the subsequent instruction on a jet. reference to the modalities in which the [number and quality of the students who
What are the advantages in respect of the various phases of military pilot training are qualify] is down to a number of factors. For
formula that uses a turboprop trainer, which articulated. In Italy these modalities have the student of Phase 2, trained on a jet, the
since the 1990s has been introduced by changed many times over the years. In the initial impact proves to be undoubtedly more
many air forces?” current system [Integrated Pilot Training aggressive in comparison with what they
Colonel Casali: “Italy has a considerable System 2020], after Phase 1 screening [on have experienced in a turboprop: greater
tradition in basic flying training using jet propeller aircraft] comes selection for the stresses, faster speeds, and more complex
aircraft, a tradition that dates from the final operational fleet [Phase 2] and, to procedures. On the other hand, the student
early 1960s when the then Scuola Volo follow, there are diversified phases for the acquires such capacities and competencies,
Basico Iniziale Aviogetti received the first
MB.326 destined to be used by the student Landing at Venegono in January
pilots for the Phase that was immediately 2019, M-345HET trainer CPX.624 is
and consequently called jet ab initio. The the pre-series aircraft, that flew for
the first time on December 21, 2018.
decision to acquire the T-345 for Phase
Oscar Bernardi
2 confirms this tradition, which was later
consolidated in the early 1980s with the
MB.339. For almost 60 years we have been
conducting basic training on jets, and we
will continue on this path. The T-345 is an
aircraft capable of offering the performance
and effectiveness typical of jet aircraft at a
cost which is comparable with that of high
performance turboprop-powered training
aircraft. Furthermore, the student pilot can
complete the training process by completing
fewer flying hours, and can achieve a
decidedly higher level of competence with
respect to training in a turboprop. The T-345
represents an economically ideal solution
in which, despite having operating costs
comparable to those of a turboprop trainer,
it offers all the advantages in performance

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INTERNATIONAL FLIGHT TRAINING SCHOOL MILITARY

A T-346A taxies from the 212° Gruppo


flight line at Lecce-Galatina Air Base.
Riccardo Niccoli

and, returning to the concept of the quality of Author: “When do you predict that T-345 start of the courses during 2021. In respect of
the final product, is decidedly more advanced IOC will be achieved, and when is it planned foreign personnel, obviously this will depend
and complete which, besides constituting the to commence the first courses with Italian on international agreements, and on the
bases on which the student can develop their and foreign students?” interest that foreign nations express in the
professionalism as a pilot, will be fundamental Colonel Casali: “Presumably we will spend new trainer.”
to the progress of their career in the Air Force. a good part of 2021 performing all the actions
It should also be underlined that Phase 2 also aimed at achieving full operational status for Author: “For the advanced phase, 61°
fulfils the function of track selection: at the the new trainer: in particular this will require Stormo has already been using the T-346 for
conclusion of this phase, the student pilots the qualification of the instructing personnel some years. Are you satisfied with the results
are directed towards the fleet to which they and the preparation of the new syllabi for achieved in this aircraft?”
will be posted, from fighters to helicopters, on Phases 2 and 3 on the T-345. These will be Colonel Casali: “I think the success of
the basis of the potential identified during the complex activities, but the fact that we have the T-346 as a trainer has been observed
training. As for Phase 3 ‘fighter’, it must not be already been through the conversion onto by many, not just in Italy. After four years
forgotten that today the latest fighter aircraft the T-346, and have already confronted of operational use, we can safely affirm
are much easier to fly, and the real difference the change of mentality from a more dated that it is the ideal platform, moreover being
is made by their avionics systems. This is aircraft to one from the latest generation, completely made in Italy, to train pilots for
why, even for Phase 3, I believe that the use means that launching this activity will be less fourth and fifth-generation fighters. It is the
of a jet rather than a turboprop as a trainer is problematic. This signifies that, in principal, most modern advanced/lead-in to fighter
decidedly more effective and functional.” we should achieve IOC and the consequent trainer actually being produced, and is the
only new generation trainer equipped for
This particular M-345 prototype, this role. Its performance and flying qualities
CPX-619, has now been are identical to the most modern fighter.
grounded, and all current test Perfectly engaged in an integrated system,
activity is carried out with CPX- in which, apart from the aircraft, there is the
624, which is a Leonardo-owned
ground element [the most technologically
aircraft. Leonardo
advanced simulators] and the logistical
support. Thanks to the capacity to simulate a
wide range of sensors and armament, and to
the live virtual and constructive philosophy
[capable not only of generating extremely
complex virtual operational environments,
but even able to connect aircraft in the air
to the network], the T-346A has enabled
the offloading of part of the training roles
from the most expensive operational aircraft,
resulting in a notable saving in resources. It
is for this reason that a constantly increasing
number of nations and foreign air arms are
interested in sending their pilots to train
in Italy, attracted by the extraordinarily
innovative range of integrated training
systems connected to the aircraft.” AI

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Mil and Kamov Air Greenland
join forces selects H225
AIRBUS HELICOPTERS has Air Greenland CEO Jacob
Russian Helicopters concluded a deal with Air Nitter Sørensen said: “These
Greenland to deliver two H225 two specific aircraft have low
Super Puma helicopters to numbers of flight hours and their
support the latter company’s bid remarkable capability on SAR
for Greenland’s SAR helicopter operations ensures that they
contract. will be able to provide a highly
The two H225s are second-hand effective service in that role for
machines, having previously been many years to come.”
operated by the oil and gas industry The two helicopters will be
and will replace Air Greenland’s delivered to Air Greenland in
ageing Sikorsky S-61N helicopters. coming months. Nigel Pittaway

Airbus Helicopters

RUSSIAN HELICOPTERS Holding and serial and aircraft repair plants


Company announced on October of the NHC should cumulatively
11, 2019, that its board has made free up around 15–20% of annual
the decision to merge the Mil working capacity of the two design
Moscow Helicopter plant and bureaus, which can be allocated
Kamov into a single entity, to to the creation of technical
be known as the JSC National groundwork and development of
Helicopter Centre (NHC). new helicopters. Earlier, there was
Russian Helicopters says it will certain competitiveness between
combine the two helicopter design the companies: the same types of

Austrian Ministry of
companies to: “combine the rotorcraft were being developed
potential of two helicopter design in parallel.”
schools for more efficient and Korotkevich added that the
higher quality rotorcraft design
and upgrade”.
Although the consolidation
common objective of the two
companies is to compete with
western helicopter manufacturers,
Interior H125s
of the two companies is aimed rather than one another. Airbus Helicopters
at growing their products, the He said: “Economic effect from
Mil and Kamov brands will be design bureau consolidation is
preserved. Russian Helicopters expected, due to optimisation
says the creation of the NHC of the use of common ground
will break down “administrative, infrastructure and reduction of
legal and economic barriers” that performing same-type tests. At
currently stand in the way of co- the same time, a part of [the] freed
operation. resources shall be channelled
Mikhail Korotkevich, Deputy towards enhancing scientific and
Director General for Science, technical potential and engaging
Technology, Policy and Helicopter new designers.”
Development at Russian The initial stage of the merger
Helicopters, said: “According to will be completed by mid-2020, AIRBUS HELICOPTERS handed tactical communications.
our estimates, distribution of tasks with finalisation of the activity set over the first of two H125 The new H125s will join the
between the two design bureaus to occur in 2022. Nigel Pittaway helicopter to the Austrian BMI’s existing fleet, which includes
Ministry of the Interior Airbus Helicopters’ H135 and
(Bundesministerium für Inneres, AS350 Ecureuil helicopters. They

Japanese Bell 412EPIs BMI) in a ceremony in Innsbruck


on October 17, 2019.
The two helicopters are
will be based in Innsbruck and
Salzburg on behalf of the Tyrolean
Government.
BELL TEXTRON announced Director of Bell’s North Asia configured for law enforcement BMI Head of Air Police Werner
on October 15, 2019, that Division, said: “We are honoured and SAR missions and fitted Senn said: “It has been a complex
it has sold two Bell 412EPI that the Wakayama and Ishikawa with a customised suite of design and implementation
helicopters to Japan. Prefectures have selected the mission equipment designed process to provide the H125 with
The Prefectures of Wakayama Bell 412EPI for their fire-fighting by Airbus Helicopters in the UK the capabilities that we wanted
and Ishikawa have ordered and disaster relief and response and installed at the company’s and it is a tribute to the excellent
one helicopter each, for use missions. This agreement headquarters in Oxford. cooperation between our
by their respective fire-fighting demonstrates the helicopter’s Equipment includes a dual respective teams that we achieved
departments. The sales were strength in the Japanese cargo hook, night-vision the desired result. This will give the
facilitated through Rotorcraft para-public sector and the compatibility, searchlight, fire- BMI and the Tyrol region one of
Services Group and EuroTec confidence the Japanese fighting equipment (including an the most advanced police aviation
Japan Corporation. government has in the aircraft interface to permit the carriage capabilities in Europe on an
Jacinto Monge, Managing to save lives.” Nigel Pittaway of a Bambi bucket), and TETRA aircraft of this size.” Nigel Pittaway

92 | www.airinternational.com @ [email protected]
BACKPAGES

Gulfstream launches G700


Gulfstream Aerospace

GULFSTREAM AEROSPACE all-new, advanced technology will be the launch customer for the American fleet customer for
Corporation used the recent aircraft that redefines safety, new aircraft. the aircraft, with an order for an
National Business Aviation comfort and range at speed. Qatar Executive will purchase 10 undisclosed number of aircraft.
Association Business Aviation This announcement is the G700s, in addition to their recently In a prepared statement at the
Conference and Exhibition biggest news in business aviation announced order of more G500 launch event, Flexjet Chairman
(NBAA-BACE) in Las Vegas to history and is the result of the and 650ER aircraft. Kenn Ricci, said: “The Gulfstream
launch its new G700 design. investments General Dynamics Qatar Airways Group CEO, Akbar G700, with its speed, range
Gulfstream unveiled its new made to develop technology for Al Baker, said: “We are excited to and versatility, will make an
flagship on the eve of the our products.” be the launch customer of the exceptional fractional offering.
conference on October 21, 2019. A Gulfstream says the G700 will G700, the largest business jet in the We anticipate that it will be ideally
full-scale mock-up of the aircraft be capable of flying 7,500 nautical industry, and we are looking forward suited for those companies that
was also on display at NBAA-BACE. miles (13,890 km) at Mach 0.85, or to the aircraft joining our fleet.” need occasional access to global
Mark Burns, president of 6,400 nautical miles (11,853 km) at The announcement of Qatar markets and will be the pinnacle
Gulfstream said: “The G700 takes Mach 0.90. Airways as the international launch of our Red Label offering. It will be
the very best elements from The company also used the customer was made on October the fifth large-cabin aircraft type
our most innovative products NBAA-BACE event to formally 21, 2019 and on the same day in the fleet as we continue our
and unites them with cutting- announce that Qatar Airways, via Gulfstream also revealed that international expansion.”
edge advances to create an its Qatar Executive charter service, Flexjet will become the first North Nigel Pittaway

Global 5500 and 6500 Flexjet signs for Praetor


gain EASA certification EMBRAER ANNOUNCED at the fourth quarter of 2019 and
BOMBARDIER ANNOUNCED on is able to fly 200 nautical miles (370.4 NBAA-BACE on October 21, Flexjet becomes Embraer’s
October 15, 2019, that its Global km) farther than planned, and now 2019, that it has also signed Praetor Fleet launch customer.
5500 and 6500 business jets have boasts a range of 5,900 nautical a purchase agreement with Flexjet CEO, Michael
received Type Certification from the miles (10,900 km) at Mach 0.85. The Flexjet, for a fleet of Praetor and Silvestro, said: “We are proud to
European Aviation Safety Agency. company said the 5,900 nautical mile Phenom 300 aircraft. introduce the Praetor jets to the
The milestone follows certification range will be a standard feature of However, the Brazilian fractional marketplace and make
from Transport Canada and entry into its baseline Global 5500 aircraft and manufacturer did not say which technologically advanced mid-
service on September 30, 2019. come at no additional cost to either variant of the Praetor family is size and super mid-size aircraft
Bombardier’s senior Vice President existing or future customers. covered by the deal, nor did it available to Flexjet owners.
of Programme Management and Bombardier Aviation’s President, disclose either total numbers This order also represents the
Engineering, Michel Ouellette, said: David Coleal, said: “We are thrilled or the mix of the two business longstanding trust we have in
“Obtaining Type Certification from to offer this extended range to our aircraft types. Embraer and in their enhanced
EASA marks one of the final chapters customers. Not only are we standing The deal is valued at up to commitment to support the
in our very successful development by our commitment of certifying and $1.4 billion at current list prices growth of our programmes and
programme.” bringing to the market an exceptional and was included in Embraer’s of our partnership with industry-
In other news, Bombardier aircraft on time, we are exceeding second quarter backlog figures, leading business jets.”
announced at the NBAA-BACE show expectations along the way.” Deliveries will commence in Nigel Pittaway
on October 21, 2019, that the G5500 Nigel Pittaway

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THE PROMISE of electric and regional aircraft for services aircraft’s right inboard 7,000lb- plans to test a hybrid-electric
hybrid-electric technology linking remote communities. It rated (31kN) Lycoming AF502 propulsion system on a Dash
is encouraging ambitious flew its Ampaire 337, a Cessna turbofan has been replaced by 8-100 in 2022.
start-ups and established 337 retrofitted with a proprietary a new hybrid powerplant, which Regional and commuter
manufacturers alike. hybrid-electric propulsion system, has an electric motor in place of a aircraft are the focus for all
Los Angeles-based Wright from Amarillo in June 2019. turbine core and inverter together these projects, as their smaller
Electric is researching a concept The company is planning a pilot with an AE2100 turboshaft and an airframe and engine size and
for a hybrid-electric regional project on a commercial route on AE3007 nacelle. The jet is due to payload/performance demands
passenger airliner able to undertake the Hawaiian island of Maui using fly from Cranfield in Bedfordshire provide a more practical way
flights of under 300 miles (555km). another retrofitted Cessna 337. in 2020. of researching and introducing
The project, which involves The Israeli company Eviation Separately, Rolls-Royce electric technologies.
easyJet, intends to develop a is developing a nine-seat recently announced an R&D Electric aviation involves
proof-of-concept system, then a commuter aircraft called the initiative with the German aviation power systems, energy storage
ten-seater and eventually a 120- Alice, powered by either MagniX engineering company APUS and and battery technologies, as well
seat single-aisle design. Magni250s 375shp (280kW) or the Brandenburg University of as airframes. Research efforts in
Swedish company Heart Siemens 349shp (260kW) electric Technology to develop a hybrid these areas are underway, too.
Aerospace is researching a motors. The company aims to electric flight demonstrator using September 2019 saw Boeing
19-seat hybrid-electric regional achieve certification and service the company’s hybrid M250 and Safran announce a joint
aircraft called the ES-19 to serve entry in 2022. engine. Experimental flights investment to develop aviation-
routes in Scandinavia (the carriers More established are scheduled “after 2021”, the grade energy storage and
SAS, Wideroe and BRA are all manufacturers are also involved company said in November 2019. battery systems.
project partners) and Spanish in electric aviation, converting In 2020, Embraer is due to fly Meanwhile, NASA has a
developer Dante AeroNautical conventionally powered aircraft a modified EMB-203 Ipanema reconfigurable testbed called
is similarly researching a 19-seat into electric or hybrid-electric with a hybrid-electric engine. NEAT (NASA Electric Aircraft
hybrid-electric design, the DAX- technology demonstrators. Turboprop manufacturer ATR Testbed) at its Glenn Research
19, in conjunction with regional Airbus has partnered with is studying hybrid and electric Center, a reconfigurable facility that
carrier Volotea. Rolls-Royce and Siemens to technologies for turboprop industry, academia and government
Californian company Ampaire convert a BAe 146 into the E-Fan X airliners in conjunction with Air can use to further mature electric
has a vision for an electric hybrid-electric demonstrator. This New Zealand, and UTC Aerospace aircraft technologies. Mark Broadbent

Leading a charge

The E-Fan X demonstrator, a modified BAe 146 with a


hybrid-electric engine, is due to fly from Cranfield in 2020.
Airbus

94 | www.airinternational.com @ [email protected]
BACKPAGES
The DAX-19 regional airliner is one of several
new electric aircraft concepts.
Dante Aerospace

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PERHAPS THE most significant Singapore Airlines’ Scoot, between the two cities. has pared back frequencies and
development in the commercial IAG’s Level and Air Canada’s As in all areas of the airline axed routes in other parts of its
air transport industry in recent Rouge). industry, however, low-cost schedule. Matthew Wood, Senior
years is low-cost long-haul. This has fundamentally long-haul can be unforgiving. Vice-President Commercial at
Sustained lower fuel prices changed the game in some The Icelandic carrier WOW Air Norwegian said: “In line with our
over the past half-decade and a markets. As the CAPA Centre for ceased operations in March 2019, business strategy of moving from
relatively solid global economy Aviation put it, Norwegian starting Primera Air collapsed in 2018, growth to profitability we are
have encouraged airlines and long-haul flights in 2014, “has and low-cost long-haul ventures ensuring that we concentrate on
investors to move into this changed the landscape and taken by the Lufthansa Group and Air key routes across our network
area, especially in Asian and some market share away from France-KLM Group, respectively a where we see strong demand.”
transatlantic markets. the leading operators”. unit of Eurowings and a start-up October 2019 saw Norwegian
Norwegian, AirAsia and Norwegian now offers nearly called Joon, both proved to be announce an interline partnership
WestJet started long-haul 50 non-stop transatlantic short-lived. with JetBlue connecting more than
flights, new carriers such routes from Europe to the Norwegian has also struggled. 60 destinations in the United States
as French Blue entered the United States. According Although it recently announced and nearly 40 Caribbean and Latin
market, and some of the to CAPA’s analysis of OAG frequency increases between American cities to Norwegian’s
large network airlines that schedule data, since the carrier Gatwick and some destinations network via JetBlue’s JFK, Boston
have dominated long-haul air started London Gatwick to New such as San Francisco and and Fort Lauderdale hubs.
travel set up low-cost long- York JFK flights it has captured Tampa for its summer 2020 This partnership, and a similar
haul operations (for example, 10% of the total travel market schedule starting next March, it interline agreement between

The changing game?


Norwegian operates long-
haul with Boeing 787s.
Norwegian

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BACKPAGES
WestJet (which flies 787-9s prices, currently in the mid $60/ Lufthansa Technik
works on A350
on transatlantic routes) and barrel for Brent Crude, creep up
easyJet as part of the UK carrier’s and as business and consumer
Worldwide service, reflects the confidence – at least, outside the
importance of offering lots of United States – slips rapidly.”

P Pigeyre/Airbus
connectivity to boost passenger They added: “The IMF recently
feed and fill aircraft. issued a warning that the global
During the recent CAPA Low economy is weakening ‘faster
Cost Long Haul Summit in than expected’ and downgraded
Hamburg, Emirates’ President GDP growth forecasts for 2019,
Sir Tim Clark warned of a and the European Central
coming “gathering storm” and Bank has ‘substantially’ revised
Qatar Airways’ CEO Akbar al downwards its economic growth
Baker questioned the feasibility projections for 2019, implying a
of low-cost long haul if fuel slackening of demand in markets
prices increase. which have become increasingly
In a recent review of the price sensitive.”
segment, CAPA analysts wrote: Sustainability will be the key
“The period of high profitability watchword for low-cost long-
is unlikely to continue as oil haul airlines. Mark Broadbent

LUFTHANSA TECHNIK Malta Technik Malta for components,


recently started technical services auxiliary power units, engines and
work on the Airbus A350 at its other parts of the aircraft.
Luqa Airport facility. The company said the start
Three international airlines of modification and overhaul
have signed maintenance, repair work on the A350 strengthens
and overhaul (MRO) contracts the company’s position as the
for the A350 family with the leading MRO services provider
company. The first aircraft, from for the A350.
an undisclosed operator, arrived at The German Federal Aviation
Luqa for a C-check. Office certified the company for
More than 100 aircraft from A350-1000 MRO work in August
different customers already 2019, complementing the approval
receive comprehensive MRO and for A350-900 overhaul work
technical support from Lufthansa attained in 2018. Mark Broadbent

More A321XLR sales

Airbus

AIRBUS HAS recently picked up receive three A321XLRs rather


more business for its A321XLR, than baseline A321neos, and
the latest longer-range IndiGo’s recent 300-aircraft
subvariant of the A321neo it order for A320neo Family aircraft
launched earlier in 2019. includes an ability for the carrier
Vietjet has signed a firm to place orders for the A321XLR
order for 20, which includes as part of the mix.
the conversion of five existing The orders further expand
A321neo orders to the variant, the backlog for the A321XLR,
and the shareholders of which has now attracted more
Hungarian low-cost carrier Wizz than 250 orders (a mix of firm
Air approved a provisional order orders and provisional deals
for 20 examples. including commitments) since
Czech Airlines has amended its launch at the Paris Air Show
an existing order so it will now in June 2019. Mark Broadbent

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BOMBARDIER AEROSPACE has customary closing conditions. Spirit’s Chief Executive Tom a role on Airbus’ Wing of
agreed to sell its wing production Reportedly Airbus had Gentile commented: “The Tomorrow programme, and
factory in Belfast to Spirit considered buying the factory to Bombardier operations bring that it would contribute to four
AeroSystems as part of a $1.1 secure the supply of wings for world-class engineering expertise technology projects relating to
billion (£850 million) deal. the A220, after taking majority to Spirit and add to a strong track the fabrication and assembly of
The Canadian aerospace ownership of the former C Series record of innovation, especially leading edges, wing boxes and
company put the historic from Bombardier in 2017 and in advanced composites. Belfast lower wing covers.
former Short Brothers factory rebranding the aircraft. has developed an impressive On one of these projects,
up for sale in May 2019 as part Unions welcomed the deal, position in business jet fuselage Spirit will use “cutting-edge
of a wider realignment of its with Unite assistant general production, in addition to the composite resin-flow simulation
activities that has also seen it secretary Steve Turner quoted world-acclaimed fully integrated tools” to infuse a 23ft (7m) lower
divest its Dash 8, CRJ and A220 as saying: “It is a sale that offers A220 composite wing.” wing cover. The company said
airliner programmes. hope for a positive future for The statement released by Spirit the demonstrator, “is a major
The Belfast factory Bombardier workers in Northern announcing the deal attests to step towards delivering a full-
manufactures an innovative all- Ireland and their colleagues in the the factory’s specialist capability. scale, resin-infused lower cover
composite wing for the Airbus supply chain.” It said: “In aerostructures and to Airbus”.
A220 as well as composite parts There had been fears over the fabrication, the acquired business Although the Belfast factory
for A320neos and Bombardier Belfast site’s future. However, the is a global player, delivering acquisition is not related to the
business jets. capabilities of the plant and its composite and metallic wing Wing of Tomorrow programme,
Wichita, Kansas-based workforce meant the odds were components, nacelles, fuselages for Spirit taking on the facility
Spirit AeroSystems will pay always good on a sale to a major and tail assemblies, along with clearly fits into a requirement for
Bombardier $500 million supplier such as Spirit. high-value mechanical assemblies specialist suppliers to develop
in cash for the Belfast To produce the A220’s wings made out of aluminium, titanium highly innovative, lower-cost and
facility, as well as composite the factory uses a highly advanced and steel. higher-performing structures for
manufacturing facilities in the manufacturing process called “The acquired business also newer aircraft.
United States and Morocco. resin transfer infusion, designed brings a world-class aftermarket As the company said: “The
About 4,000 employees will to achieve greater control over business which more than addition of the entire work
transfer to Spirit. The transaction, the laying up of composites to doubles Spirit’s geographic package for the A220 wing and
which is expected to close in create better predictability and reach globally.” its technology are critical for the
the first half of 2020, is subject repeatability and the ability to At the start of 2019 Spirit future of next-generation aircraft.”
to regulatory approvals and produce large composite parts. announced it had secured Mark Broadbent

Spirit acquires
Belfast factory
Spirit AeroSystems will be responsible for producing the A220’s all-composite wing, in a deal due to be finalised in 2020. Airbus

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