Combat Aircraft - January 2017

100 Pages·2016·13.84 MB·English

F-15SA
EXERCISE REPORT
‘RED FLAG-ALASKA’
THE ULTIMATE EAGLE
Volume 18 • Number 1 AMERICA’S BEST-SELLING MILITARY AVIATION MAGAZINE
et
n
aft.
cr
air
at
b
m
o
c
LANGLEY
RAPTORS
HOW TO FLY AND FIGHT IN THE F-22
SPARKS FLY!
HORNET AND GRIPEN ROAD OPS
PLUS
MARINE
CORPS
OSPREYS
DANISH VIPER
MASTERS
0
6
4.
£
K
U
7
1
0
2
Y
R
A
U
N
A
J
ADMIRAL KUZNETSOV IN ACTION • J-20 GOES PUBLIC AT ZHUHAI • SCORPION STINGS
1 Cover_UK.indd 1 24/11/2016 16:48
Your favourite magazine is also available digitally.
DOWNLOAD THE APP NOW FOR FREE.
FREE APP

with sample issue
IN APP ISSUES $4.99/£3.99
SUBSCRIBE &
SAVE

Monthly $3.99/£2.99
6 issues $26.99/£19.99
12 issues $44.99/£34.99
SEARCH: Combat Aircraft
Read on your iPhone & iPad Android PC & Mac kindle fi re Blackberry Windows 10
SEARCH:
SEARCH SEARCH
Britain at War
ALSO AIRFORCES MONTHLY AVIATION NEWS
FREE APP FREE APP
AAVVAAIILLAABBLLEE FFOORR
with sample issue with sample issue
DOWNLOAD IN APP ISSUES $4.99/£3.99 IN APP ISSUES $4.99/£3.99
FREE Aviation Specials App How it Works.
Simply download the Combat Aircraft
IN APP ISSUES
$4.99/ Monthly app and receive your sample issue
£3.99 completely free. Once you have the app, you
will be able to download new or back issues (from
January 2011 onwards) for less than newsstand price or,
alternatively, subscribe to save even more!
Simply download to purchase digital versions of your
favourite aviation specials in one handy place! Once
Don’t forget to register for your Pocketmags account. This will protect your
you have the app, you will be able to download
purchase in the event of a damaged or lost device.
new, out of print or archive specials for less
than the cover price! It will also allow you to view your purchases on multiple platforms.
S E A R C H
Aviation Specials iTunes PC, Mac &
Windows 10
Requirements for app: registered iTunes account on Apple iPhone, iPad or iPod Touch. Internet connection required for initial download.
Published by Key Publishing Ltd. The entire contents of these titles are © copyright 2016. All rights reserved. App prices subject to change. 1174/16
1174 CAM digi fp.indd 2 21/11/2016 16:34
January 2017 • Vol 18 • No 1
34The F-22 Raptor is held in high esteem by air power
afi cionados — fi nd out why in this issue
IN THE NEWS 96 CUTTING EDGE 70 FINNISH HORNETS
Combat Aircraft’s monthly column reporting ON THE ROAD
from the front line of aerospace technology, by During the last week of September
06 Headline News David Axe 2016, the Finnish Air Force conducted
J-20 debuts at Zhuhai and F-15SA the ‘Baana 16’ maneuvers, a road-base
down low 58 LEAN BUT MEAN exercise involving aircraft operating
08 United States News The Royal Danish Air Force has long been at the from public highways in southern
forefront of the F-16 Fighting Falcon program. Finland. Jan Jørgensen was there to
US Marine Corps embarks F-35B for DT-III,
With Denmark’s sights now set on the F-35 witness the action
Extended Range Avenger fl ies and all the
Lightning II, Søren Augustesen looks at this
latest unit and deployment news
small but capable force
18 World News
News from Europe and around the globe
including Canada’s interim Super Hornet
plans, plus all the latest military losses
26 THE SECRETIVE
SUPER EAGLE
Jon Lake evaluates the F-15SA. Described as
the most capable version of the Eagle, and
as being more advanced than current US Air
Force aircraft, it brings improved performance,
an increased warload, enhanced situational
awareness and better survivability — all at a
lower total life-cycle cost 88
34 FIRST FIGHTERS
The 1st Fighter Wing at Joint Base Langley-
Eustis led from the front when it came to the
F-22 Raptor, bringing this revolutionary fi ghter
into US Air Force service in 2005. Jamie Hunter
heads to Langley and discovers that demand
for the wing’s services remains as high as ever
50 PHANTOM FINALE
A fantastic shot of a US Air Force QF-4E
Phantom II low down in the Mojave desert by
David Campion that just had to be used as our
centerspread this month
54 ALAT ELITE
Henri-Pierre Grolleau lifts the lid on one of the
most secretive helicopter units in the world, the
4e Régiment d’Hélicoptères de Forces Spéciales
(4e RHFS, or 4th Special Forces Helicopter
Regiment) PURPLE FOXES
Ted Carlson/Fotodynamics visits Marine Corps Air Station
64 ADMIRAL KUZNETSOV
Camp Pendleton in California, the latest roost for the ever-
IN ACTION
expanding US Marine Corps MV-22 Osprey force
Babak Taghvaee and Thomas Newdick evaluate
tchaerr ideer bAudtm cioraml bKuazt ndeetpsolovy amnedn itts o nf ethwely a ircraft PLUS SSSSSSUUUBBBAAASSSCCCRRRVVVIIIBBBEEE AAAEEENNNDDD
modernized Sukhoi Su-33 shipborne fi ghters
Our regular Eye on the East column
76 SCORPION GETS ITS STING
evaluates the recent air display at Zhuhai.
Jamie Hunter talks with Textron AirLand about
its Scorpion, which has conducted a series of Subscribe to Combat
live fi ring trials as the company prepares to fl y ON THE COVER: Aircraft Monthly and
its fi rst production-standard aircraft F-22 Raptors of the 94th Fighter
make great savings on
Squadron ‘Hat in the Ring’ break
80 WARFIGHTERS IN THE WILD spectacularly for the camera. cover price.
Exercise ‘Red Flag — Alaska’ is growing in Jamie Hunter
stature. Jonathan Derden ventures into the See pages
wilds of America’s largest and most sparsely 52 and 53 for details.
populated state — ideal for warfi ghter training
3 Contents_CA C.indd 3 24/11/2016 10:20
COMBAT EDGE | FIND US ON
THE USAF’S AGGRESSOR INITIATIVE
S
EEING THE LIKES of the ‘We need capacity and the threat is
Chinese J-20 wheeling in the getting better. The density and the
skies over Zhuhai makes US environment is getting more challenging,
Air Force intelligence analysts so we even need it more than we used to
nervous. Few experts believe need it’, Carlisle said at November’s
the J-20 would last long in a International Fighter Conference in
fi ght against an F-22, but the chances are London.
that China will build these fi ghters in In July 2016, the USAF issued a request
numbers that will eclipse the USAF’s for information for adversary air (AdAir)
dwindling fi ghter fl eet. capability, reaching out to the contractor
Therefore, maintaining the technological air services companies. It’s a massive
and training edge is vital if the US is to retain emerging market. At Nellis, despite having
aerial supremacy. a resident F-16 aggressor squadron, during
The feature in this issue on the 1st Fighter Fiscal Year 2016 alone the USAF says it had
Wing Raptor squadrons is a classic case in an aggressor shortfall amounting to a
point. While the Langley F-22 pilots enjoy a massive 3,000 sorties.
resident aggressor T-38 Talon squadron to The USAF is hard at work developing its
‘fi ght’ against, they typically have little live virtual constructive (LVC) training
option other than to fl y against fellow environment to make full use of sensors and
Raptors for that high-end Red Air challenge. capabilities in a secure environment —
Air Combat Command boss Gen Herbert testing pilots in a high-end series of
‘Hawk’ Carlisle says that pitting fi fth- scenarios in a simulator, away from prying
generation F-22s and F-35s against each eyes. Despite such advances, the need to
other amounts to ‘zero training and almost maintain eff ective live fl ying remains.
negative training’. He adds: ‘generating our In the coming years, we can expect to see
own adversary from fi fth-generation is increased use of contractor air services,
counterproductive.’ To challenge the crews, providing the necessary numbers of
04
Carlisle wants to outnumber his F-22 and aggressors with radar-equipped F-16s,
F-35 pilots against an eff ective aggressor alongside more in-house USAF aggressor
force by a factor of 3:1 or 4:1. units to off er the high-end threat
While the T-38 aggressors embedded replication.
alongside F-22 squadrons off er those To keep track of the latest breaking news
numbers, the only real advantage the Talon and analysis in the world of military air
pilot has is a small visual signature. F-22 power you can visit our social media sites
pilots need the opportunity to go up and our website: www.combataircraft.net.
against a radar-equipped adversary and for You can also sign up for our free e-mail
the Red Air to be able to hold its own in the newsletter by going to
visual fi ght. www.combataircraft.net to register.
The USAF has two dedicated F-16 Fighting
Falcon aggressor squadrons: one at Nellis Air
Force Base, Nevada, the other at Eielson AFB
in Alaska. However, these only really have the
capacity to support resident activities, with
an occasional ‘road trip’. What Carlisle needs Jamie Hunter,
is an eff ective, resident aggressor squadron Editor
at each of his fi fth-generation bases. E-mail: [email protected]
CONTRIBUTOR PROFILE SØREN AUGUSTESEN
S
øren’s interest in airshow. The hobby has grown
aviation started steadily from there. Søren started
at the age of 10, writing articles as a part-time
building model freelance writer/photographer when
airplanes and reading aviation he was 30. He now travels all over the
books. Inspired by the images world to photograph and write about
in these books, he began aviation. His interests and expertise
photographing aircraft aged lie in military aviation, especially in
16 when attending his fi rst his native country of Denmark.
4-5 Combat Edge C.indd 4 24/11/2016 14:32
JANUARY 2017 | COMBAT EDGE
The underside of
a J-20 on display
at Zhuhai. Note
that it fl ies with
a Luneberg
lens radar-
augmentation
device under the
fuselage, perhaps
to conceal its true
radar signature.
via Chinese Internet
05
4-5 Combat Edge C.indd 5 24/11/2016 14:33
[NEWS] HEADLINES
DRAGON UNLEASHED
observers should be careful not to
overstate the importance of this
brief appearance. Among the many
oversimplified — or just plain wrong
J-20 MAKES PUBLIC DEBUT AT ZHUHAI — statements that came in the wake
of Zhuhai, critics pointed to a ‘timid
flight demonstration’ proving that the
aircraft ‘is not capable’, slammed the
Two low-rate initial
J-20 as a ‘US and/or Russian rip-off’,
production J-20As
completed a 60-second and asserted that it ‘must be a tactical
flypast on the show’s bomber due to its large size’. Such
opening day on November ill-informed analysis could prove
1. via Chinese Internet
dangerous if taken seriously.
The most important point
to consider is that this aerial
demonstration must be seen through
Chinese eyes. For outsiders, the
J-20’s display was not only brief
but also disappointing. However, it
carried significant propaganda value,
especially for the Chinese public.
The appearance at Zhuhai shows
that China has joined the ranks of
countries capable of developing and
introducing a fifth-generation fighter.
Above all, it proves that the PLAAF
is not only satisfied with the basic
C
HINA’S PEOPLE’S of its recent results in the field of service following the United States’ design of the J-20 but also confident
LIBERATION Army military technology. Combat Aircraft Lockheed Martin F-22 Raptor and that it will help it achieve its desired
Air Force (PLAAF) had predicted the public appearance, F-35 Lightning II. goals.
finally unveiled its with evidence of preparations for the During a largely un-noticed Comparisons to displays by the
06
J-20 stealth fighter airshow being noted at the Chengdu interview, Zhang Xinguo, vice- Sukhoi T-50 and F-22 are of limited
to the public during Aircraft Industry Group (CAC) airfield president of the Aviation Industry value. After all, there is no reason for
the opening ceremony of Airshow since October. Corporation of China (AVIC), noted at a the PLAAF, AVIC or CAC to adopt ‘the
China at Zhuhai in Guangdong Prior to this unveiling, the PLAAF press conference that ‘the J-20 will be Russian way’, repeating the chest-
province. itself revealed on October 28 that handed over to the Chinese Air Force thumping used to promote the T-50
Two low-rate initial production it would demonstrate its latest J-20 very soon’. This confirms the latest which ultimately only reinforces the
(LRIP) J-20A jets completed a brief, stealth fighter. Senior Colonel Shen predictions that the first examples of various promises that that project
60-second flypast on the show’s Jinke, a PLAAF spokesman, made the J-20A have probably already been has so far broken. As regards the J-20,
opening day, November 1. the announcement during a news delivered to a PLAAF flight test center none of AVIC, CAC nor the PLAAF have
While the long-awaited flight routine conference that morning. He noted at either Cangzhou, or more likely, promised anything yet.
was hardly dramatic, the two fighters that: ‘The J-20 was designed by our Dingxin air base, where they will enter Speaking confidentially to CA, one
roared above a crowd numbering aircraft researchers for future aerial service before long. Western test pilot commented that
hundreds of spectators as well as combat. Test pilots from the Air Force the J-20A in its current guise ‘looks
political dignitaries and industry will use it to perform at the 11th China Numbers game a bit underpowered and hybrid in
executives. International Aviation and Aerospace The latest count of J-20As built to design’. He described the Zhuhai
The J-20s made a few climbs, Exhibition. date suggests that as many as 11 LRIP display as ‘a bit lethargic, but [the J-20
turns and formation flybys and then ‘The development of the J-20 is aircraft have been completed. Close is still] in the development program.
disappeared again, returning to progressing as scheduled, and it is inspection of a photo of a J-20A’s I would want to see some multi-axis
Guangdong’s Foshan Shadi Airport expected to further boost the fighting front section reveals the number carefree handling before commenting
where the two jets resided during the capacity of the Chinese Air Force’, XX0011. Presuming that CAC’s typical further.’
event. Shen added. It was officially revealed construction number system is also There have been no official
Zhuhai is China’s biggest and that, since its maiden flight in employed for the J-20A, the number statements as to whether the J-20
most important airshow, a biennial January 2011, a total of 10 prototypes can be deciphered as follows: XX = 20 employs a version of the AL-31FN
occasion that serves as a ‘spotlight have been manufactured: the two (for J-20); 00 = batch 00 (LRIP); and 11 engine. However, the latest reports
on the East’ and is used by Beijing demonstrators numbered 2001 and = aircraft number 11. suggest the use of a special, custom-
as an opportunity to demonstrate 2002 (the latter now renumbered as In the meantime, spectators, tailored version of the Salut AL-31FM2.
its achievements and ambitions in 2004), plus the prototypes 2011, 2012, enthusiasts and analysts alike will Beyond this, there has been no
civil aerospace and military aviation. 2013, 2015, 2016 and 2017, and two have to be patient — it is clearly too information released relating to the
Consequently, the J-20A can be static test specimens. The spokesman early to judge to what extent the J-20’s dimensions, specific avionics
seen as a prime symbol of Beijing’s said that the type will be the third J-20 can match the stealth properties or weapons. This is clearly deliberate,
increasing ambitions and the extent stealth fighter to enter operational of the F-22 and F-35. Certainly, leaving potential opponents in the
www.combataircraft.net January 2017
6-7 Headlines C.indd 6 21/11/2016 11:09
HEADLINES [NEWS]
dark, and making any premature
judgments all the more hazardous.
‘Mighty Dragon’
appraised
In conclusion, China’s ‘Mighty Dragon’
is neither a sitting duck nor a Raptor-
killer — at least, not yet.
However, one can be sure that
the engineers at CAC have studied
Western and Russian fi fth-generation
projects closely, drawn important
lessons and found their own solutions.
The J-20 is not cause for undue alarm,
but, given recent progress, it would
be a mistake to underestimate its
SCREAMING EAGLE
capabilities, or those of CAC.
Chinese military strategist Sun Tzu F-15SA serial 12-10016 gets down low during testing
over the Mojave desert in range R-2508. The new
wrote that ‘all warfare is based on
standard of Eagle is on test from Air Force Plant 42 at
deception’, further recommending Palmdale. Latest details on this program appear in
the value in appearing ‘weak when this issue. Gareth Brown
you are strong, and strong when you
are weak’. A more sober assessment
F-35 UPDATE
of the J-20’s design suggests that CAC From 2025, repairs will be divided
has struck a balance between its own according to separate European
capabilities and knowhow, PLAAF and Pacifi c regions. For this period
requirements, available materials and the DoD has assigned 51 of the fi rst
structure, and, of course, cost. The MRO&U ASSIGNMENTS, TURKEY 65 components to the UK and 14 to
company has settled on a design that the Netherlands. In the Pacifi c, the
diff ers from other stealth fi ghters in ADDS SECOND BATCH AND F-35B Department has assigned 64 of the
several key respects. fi rst 65 components to Australia
ON USS AMERICA FOR DT-III 07
In terms of capability and and one component to South
technology, the J-20 represents a giant Korea.
T
leap forward for the Chinese aviation HE US (CONUS), and cover the fi rst 65 of 774 Meanwhile, Turkey’s
industry and PLAAF alike. Currently, DEPARTMENT repairable items, including avionics, Undersecretariat for Defense
the fi ghter is certainly underpowered of Defense (DoD) life support, egress, canopy system, Industries has announced plans to
and this will have an adverse eff ect has announced its pumps and other components. order a second batch of F-35s. The
on fl ying characteristics — at least plans for initial F-35 Assignment of the remaining parts deal is likely to involve 24 aircraft
until the planned WS-15 engine is maintenance, repair, will occur over the next two to three to be delivered in 2021 and 2022.
available. In the meantime, the J-20’s overhaul and upgrade (MRO&U) years. Ankara fi rst ordered two F-35As
engines are probably adequate and capabilities — the global hubs that For repairs of all F-35s around in 2014 and added another four
will provide fl ight performance at will be responsible for repairing the the world from 2021 to 2025, the jets in 2015. Turkey expects to take
least comparable to the latest J-11B Lockheed Martin Lightning II. DoD has assigned 48 of the fi rst 65 delivery of its fi rst F-35As in 2018
fi ghter. As regards stealth, the J-20 The initial assignments will provide components to the United Kingdom, and ultimately aims to buy as many
is most likely no match for the F-22 for repair of Lightning II components 14 to the Netherlands, and three to as 116 Lightning IIs.
and F-35 (see the non-stealthy engine outside the continental United States Australia. Thomas Newdick
exhausts, uncovered countermeasures
launchers, and other details). On the US Marine Corps
other hand, it is surely far stealthier F-35Bs have been
engaged in a third
than most other types operational in
round of shipboard
the Asia-Pacifi c region.
testing, this time
Andreas Rupprecht on USS America.
Lockheed Martin/
Andy Wolfe
ALSO THIS MONTH...
F-35B goes DT-III
Full details of the latest Lightning II
testing. See US News
Admiral Kuznetsov
makes its mark
Russian carrier marks fi rst Syria
missions, but loses a MiG-29.
See World News
January 2017 www.combataircraft.net
6-7 Headlines C.indd 7 21/11/2016 11:10
[NEWS] UNITED STATES
LIGHTNING II LATEST
(STOVL) operations in a high sea
state, shipboard landings, and night
operations.
Operational testing (OT), conducted
by Marine Operational Test and
F-35B EMBARKED ABOARD USS AMERICA
Evaluation Squadron (VMX) 1,
included simulating extensive
maintenance aboard a ship. Those
F-35B test aircraft BF-05 departs USS
efforts included the replacement of
America (LHA 6) on November 11, with
four inert 500lb GBU-12 Paveway II laser- a power module and engine. The OT
guided test bombs on the underwing was also intended to prepare for the
pylons. Lockheed Martin/Darin Russell first deployment of the F-35B aboard
USS Wasp (LHD 1), in 2017.
DT-III culminated on November 19
with a proof of concept demonstration
when 12 F-35Bs flew from the ship
alongside other Marine Corps Air
Combat Element assets.
The first ship of its class, USS America
incorporates key design elements to
accommodate the F-35B. Its features
include an enlarged hangar deck,
realignment and expansion of the
aviation maintenance facilities, a
F
IVE OF A planned 6) on October 28. Two of the aircraft Squadron (VX) 23 at Naval Air significant increase in storage for
complement of seven supported the third shipboard phase Station Patuxent River, Maryland, parts and equipment, and increased
Lockheed Martin F-35Bs of developmental test (DT-III) and and the F-35 Integrated Test Force aviation fuel capacity.
touched down on the five were tasked with operational (ITF), DT-III was intended to evaluate The USS Wasp will change its home
amphibious assault testing over a period of three weeks. Block 3F software-configured F-35B port from Naval Station Norfolk,
ship USS America (LHA Conducted by Air Test and Evaluation short take-off and vertical landing Virginia, to Sasebo, Japan, in 2017.
08
ENLISTED PILOTS
USAF PLANS NEXT-
COMPLETE FIRST SOLOS
GENERATION FIGHTER STUDY
TWO US AIR Force master RQ-4 RPA flying operations.
THE US AIR Force will begin Command (ACC), is intended to meet
sergeants recently became The first enlisted pilot
conducting an analysis of requirements that were identified
the first enlisted airmen to initial class (EPIC) began on
alternatives (AoA) that will consider in the USAF’s recent Air Superiority
complete solo flights during October 12 with four students
options for a future low-observable 2030 study. Released in May 2016,
initial flight training (IFT) training alongside 20 recently
air superiority fighter. The 18-month the study looked at current and
with the 1st Flying Training commissioned officers. A total
effort is scheduled to begin in emerging capability gaps in the
Squadron. The milestone, of 12 enlisted personnel have
January 2017. USAF’s air dominance mission.
which occurred at Pueblo been selected for the EPIC
A parallel AoA will look at new Instead of being designed as a
Memorial Airport, Colorado, program. After completing
next-generation air superiority air- ‘swing-role’ platform, the PCA is
on November 3, marked the this, each of the students
to-air and anti-radiation missiles that intended as an air superiority fighter
first time the USAF has trained will progress through the
could eventually replace the current and will be optimized for destroying
enlisted personnel as pilots RPA instrument qualification
AIM-120 Advanced Medium-Range enemy aircraft and surface-to-air
since 1961. course and RPA fundamentals
Air-to-Air Missile (AMRAAM) and the missile sites and radars. As part of
Both pilots flew Diamond course at Joint Base San
AGM-88-series High-Speed Anti- the AoA the USAF will develop a list
DA20 aircraft, which are Antonio-Randolph, Texas, and
Radiation Missile (HARM), which are of required capabilities, hardware
owned by Doss Aviation. Doss basic qualification training
both produced by Raytheon. and associated cost and schedule
operates the IFT program, at Beale Air Force Base,
Rather than considering a design estimates that will lead eventually to
which is mandatory for all California. The integration
that could go ‘head-to-head’ with the an open competition.
manned aircraft pilots, combat of enlisted pilots into RQ-4
Russian-built Sukhoi T-50 and China’s The US Navy is conducting a similar
systems officers, and remotely operations will support the
Chengdu J-20, the new fighter will AoA for a so-called F/A-XX Super
piloted aircraft (RPA) pilots, for USAF’s efforts to meet the
be designed to ‘out-match’ sixth- Hornet replacement. Because of the
the USAF’s Air Education and demands of combatant
generation fighters. different missions assigned to the
Training Command. commanders for RPA
The next-generation aircraft, which two aircraft, it is currently unlikely
In December 2015, the USAF intelligence, surveillance and
is referred to as the Penetrating that the projects will be merged
announced an initiative to reconnaissance capabilities in
Counter-Air (PC-A) by Air Combat within PC-A.
train enlisted pilots to support their areas of responsibilities.
www.combataircraft.net January 2017
8-12 US News C.indd 8 24/11/2016 10:17
UNITED STATES [NEWS]
The Wasp will replace USS Bonhomme
F-35B BuNo 169028 operated by VMFA-211 in preparation for loading of live weapons
Richard (LHD 6) as part of the Navy’s
during operational testing aboard the USS America. Lockheed Martin/Andy Wolfe
forward-deployed naval forces in
Japan. Bonhomme Richard will change
its home port to Naval Station San
Diego. The Wasp was the first ship
modified to accommodate the F-35B
and aircraft from Marine Fighter Attack
Squadron (VMFA) 121 ‘Green Knights’
will conduct the debut deployment to
the Western Pacific aboard the ship as
part of the 31st Marine Expeditionary
Unit (MEU) in the fall of 2017. The
‘Green Knights’ are scheduled to arrive determined. In preparation for the second fleet replacement squadron equipped with F/A-18E/Fs, and a
at Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, deployment the ‘Rude Rams’ will (FRS) at NAS Lemoore, California, single squadron with EA-18Gs.
Japan, with 10 F-35Bs in January participate in January’s ‘Red Flag’ when VFA-125 ‘Rough Riders’ is The Pentagon has awarded
2017 and will receive six additional exercise at Nellis Air Force Base, reactivated in January 2017. The Lockheed Martin a $6.1-billion
Lightning IIs over the summer. Nevada, with 12 F-35As. F-35C is scheduled to achieve initial contract for the next batch of F-35s.
The Wasp-class USS Essex (LHD 2) The US Navy has now confirmed operational capability (IOC) with The low-rate initial production (LRIP)
is now receiving upgrades that will that the F-35C carrier variant will Block 3i software as early as August Lot 9 includes 57 jets comprising 42
allow it to field the F-35B. These are go on its inaugural deployment in 2018 but will undergo another F-35As, 13 F-35Bs and two F-35Cs
scheduled for completion in March 2021 when Strike Fighter Squadron round of at-sea operational testing in that will be delivered from early 2017.
2017. The work will make Essex the (VFA) 147 ‘Argonauts’ embarks in spring 2018. It will achieve IOC after The cost for the Lot 9 aircraft will be
third ‘big-deck’ platform to be given the USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70). The an operational squadron has been around 3.7 per cent lower than LRIP
the upgrades. ‘Argonauts’ will transition from the equipped with 10 aircraft, is fully 8. The order includes 23 international
Elsewhere, the US Air Force’s 34th F/A-18E to the F-35C in 2018. Under manned with trained personnel, and F-35As comprising six for Norway, two
Fighter Squadron will make its initial current plans, VMFA-314 will be the its aircraft are equipped to conduct for Italy, two for Japan and seven for
deployment with the F-35A as part second squadron to convert to the assigned missions. The future carrier Israel. The F-35Bs number seven for
of a Theater Security Package during F-35C in 2019. In preparation for air wing structure will comprise two the USMC and six for the UK. Deliveries
2017. The location has not yet been these moves the Navy will form a squadrons of F-35Cs, two squadrons will begin in the first quarter of 2017.
09
HOLLOMAN FOR TRAINING SQUADRONS Kelly Field Annex at Joint Base San environmental impact analysis
Antonio-Lackland, Texas, will also process must be completed before
THE US AIR Force has selected site survey analysis concluded that analyze Kelly Field as a reasonable the aircraft begin relocating to
Holloman AFB, New Mexico, as the it has the capacity and existing alternative. Holloman.
preferred alternative for the interim command structure to begin The two squadrons will operate A total of 45 fighters and 800
home of two F-16C/D training producing pilots faster than other aircraft made available by the personnel are expected to begin
squadrons that will be created to proposed locations. The service, transition of the 388th Fighter Wing moving to the New Mexico base
increase fighter pilot production. which had considered stationing at Hill AFB, Utah from the F-16C to in summer 2017. The USAF will
Holloman, which is already home to the interim formal training units the F-35A. The USAF announced continue to look at 34 possible
two training squadrons and around (FTU) at Luke AFB and Tucson Air plans to establish an interim FTU locations that are being considered
55 F-16C/Ds, was selected after a National Guard Base in Arizona, and capability in August. A positive to permanently house the FTU.
KING STALLION PASSES FIRST
Sikorsky
OPERATIONAL TESTS
THE US MARINE Corps concluded initial risk in advance of final operational
operational testing of the Sikorsky evaluation (OPEVAL).
YCH-53K on October 19. The two-week- The initial operational testing included
long operational assessment by Marine external lift scenarios of 27,000lb
Corps pilots, aircrew and maintainers (12,200kg) in the hover and a 12,000lb
verified several key capabilities. (5,422kg), 110nm (204km)-radius
Conducted at Sikorsky Aircraft’s mission. Among the ground event
development flight center (DFC) in West demonstrations were embarkation/
Palm Beach, Florida, the completion of debarkation of combat-equipped
the testing was an important step in troops, internal and external cargo
support of a Milestone C decision that rigging, tactical bulk fuel delivery system
will allow the program to enter low-rate (TBFDS) operation, and medevac litter
initial production. This is expected in configuration. The four YCH-53Ks that are
early 2017. The OT-B1 (operational test) supporting testing have logged over 200
phase was also intended to minimize cumulative flight hours.
January 2017 www.combataircraft.net
8-12 US News C.indd 9 24/11/2016 10:17
[NEWS] UNITED STATES
The General Atomics
Extended Range
Predator C Avenger
takes off from the
contractor’s Gray Butte
test facility for the fi rst
time on October 27.
General Atomics
‘CHIEFS’ HEAD HOME
F-15E STRIKE EAGLES operated Johnson Air Force Base, North
by the 4th Fighter Wing’s 335th Carolina on October 12, which
FS ‘Chiefs’ recently completed a was completed in November.
deployment to south-west Asia The 389th Fighter Squadron from
in support of Operation ‘Inherent Mountain Home AFB, Idaho, took
Resolve’. The squadron began over the ‘Inherent Resolve’ mission
10 a staggered return to Seymour in October.
A dozen F-16Cs from the 93rd FS ‘Makos’ and the 457th FS ‘Spads’
passed through Morón air base, Spain, arriving on October 31. They
were en route back to the US, having completed a deployment to
the Middle East. They comprised serials 85-1487/FM, 86-0307/FM,
86-0318/FM, 87-0233/FM, 87-0287/FM, 88-0402/FM, 88-0405/FM,
85-0554/TX, 85-1501/TX, 86-0227/TX, 86-0231/TX, and 86-0232/TX.
Antonio Muñiz Zaragüeta
F-16 DEPLOYMENTS Arriving at RAF Lakenheath, UK, on November 18, is one of four 335th
FS ‘Chiefs’ F-15Es (89-0484) that passed through accompanied by
serials 87-0199, 88-1708 and 89-0477 as ‘Tabor 11’ fl ight. Ryan Dorling
THE 480TH FIGHTER Squadron (FS) September 16 when it delivered its
completed a six-month deployment 1,900th precision-guided munition.
‘SEAHAWKS’ COMPLETE FINAL DEPLOYMENT
to South-west Asia in support of The 79th FS began a deployment
Operation ‘Inherent Resolve’ on to Bagram, Afghanistan in support THE ‘SEAHAWKS’ OF Marine support of operations against the
October 12 when it returned to of Operation ‘Freedom’s Sentinel’ Tactical Electronic Warfare so-called Islamic State in Iraq and
Spangdahlem Air Base, Germany. during October. The District of Squadron (VMAQ) 4 completed Syria as part of Operation ‘Inherent
The squadron, which departed Columbia Air National Guard’s 121st a short-notice deployment to Resolve’ will likely be the last for
from Spangdahlem on April 7, set FS began a Theater Security Package Turkey when they returned to the squadron, which is scheduled
a new record for the number of deployment to Andersen AFB, Marine Corps Air Station Cherry to be deactivated in June 2017.
stores delivered by an F-16 unit by Guam, in November. Point, North Carolina, on October VMAQ-4 began its deployment to
10. The deployment to Turkey in Incirlik in April 2016.
GUARD HELICOPTERS COMPLETE EA-6B BuNo 163527 taxies at MCAS Cherry Point, at the conclusion of
a deployment to Turkey on October 10. USMC
EUROPEAN DEPLOYMENT
A TASK FORCE that comprised Command Europe (SOCEUR)
four UH-60Ls and personnel including the 10th Special Forces
from Army National Guard units Group, Marine Corps Forces
from Colorado, Kansas and Special Operations Command
Utah completed a rotational and Navy Special Warfare Unit 2.
deployment to Europe in Based at Illesheim, Germany, the
October. The Army National four UH-60Ls fl ew more than 337
Guard Helicopter Task Force (HTF) hours and conducted in excess of
supported Special Operations 212 missions.
www.combataircraft.net January 2017
8-12 US News C.indd 10 24/11/2016 10:17