Combat Aircraft Monthly - June 2015

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NORTH AMERICAS BEST-SELLING MILITARY AVIATION MAGAZINEVolume 16 Number 6

IN THE NEWS:

Marines prepare for F-35B Initial operating capability

India eyes rafale deal

DEATH RATTLERS AIR MOBILITY COMMAND2PART AIR MOBILITYFORCE REPORT

USAF T-X COMPETITION HOTS UP POLISH FULCRUMS Op Decisive Storm

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TOP DOG AT LUKE AFB

HogsARE back in Europe

TOP DOG AT LUKE AFB

Interview with squadron boss

New bomber program reviewed

PILOT PROFILE

16 Number Number 6

AIR MOBILITY COMMANDKEEPING THE KC-135R FLYINGAMC AIR POWER REVIEW

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Volume 16 Number 5 NORTH AMERICAS BEST-SELLING MILITARY AVIATION MAGAZINE

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New capabilities for TyphoonP3E upgrade announced, strakes under test

THE UNITED KINGDOMS Ministry of Defence has announced a 165-million (200-million) capability upgrade for the Royal Air Forces Eurofi ghter

Typhoon fl eet.The contract, signed during the

International Defence Exhibition (IDEX) in Abu Dhabi, comprises various avionics system and weapons updates, including

integration of the MBDA Brimstone 2 air-to-ground missile, for which a feasibility study and a trial installation were carried out in 2014. Improvements will also be made to the maintenance and mission systems.

Upgrades to the Typhoon made under the contract will be implemented as part of the Phase 3 Enhancements (P3E) package. Upgraded aircraft are expected to be delivered to the RAF from late 2018. Following the P3E modifi cations, each

Typhoon will be able to carry up to six Brimstone missiles, using two launchers on the outboard pylons each carrying three missiles.

While the primary focus of the P3E upgrade is the introduction of the Brimstone 2 missile required by the RAF, it will also enhance the capabilities of the Storm Shadow long-range strike missile, the Meteor, Paveway IV and ASRAAM weapons.

22 May 2015 www.combataircraft.net

NEWS Europe

22-24 Europe C.indd 22 20/03/2015 11:19

Benelux states sign air defense pactBelgium, Luxembourg and the Netherlands have signed an agreement under which they will share surveillance and protection of their collective airspace from mid-2016. Under the arrangement, the Belgian Air Component and Royal Netherlands Air Force will take turns to monitor Benelux airspace. The quick reaction alert (QRA) will initially involve two F-16 Fighting Falcons providing protection against military incursions and civilian renegade aircraft.

Turkey retires recce PhantomsFollowing the fatal loss of two examples in February, the Turkish Air Force has retired its eet of eight remaining RF-4E Phantom IIs. Service withdrawal took place on March 12, with a nal ight made at Erhac air base. Gen Abidin nal, commander of the Turkish Air Forces Combatant Air Force Command, and Air Force commander Gen Akn ztrk ew the nal sortie. According to reports in the Turkish media, 173 Filos RF-4E eet had su cient hours to remain operational until the end of the year.

T-346A arrives at LecceThe rst Alenia Aermacchi T-346A advanced jet trainer for the Italian Air Forces 61 Stormo was delivered to the wings Lecce-Galatina base on

February 26. Serial 61-01 arrived at the pilot training school after a ight from the Alenia Aermacchi facility at Venegono. The aircraft was own for the occasion by Col Paolo Tarantino, base commander at Lecce, and an experimental test pilot from the Air Force Flight Test Unit (RSV) at Pratica di Mare. The T-346A will be operated by the 212 Gruppo of the 61 Stormo, which will use it for Phase IV pilot training.

Upgraded French Cougars deliveredFrance has received two AS532 Cougars upgraded by Airbus Helicopters. The aircraft were accepted by the French defense procurement agency (DGA) on behalf of the French Army Light Aviation (Aviation Lgre de lArme de Terre, ALAT) on March 13.

The 220-million modernization program covers 26 Cougars operated by ALAT and the French Air Force. Scheduled to run until 2030, the upgrade takes in a new avionics suite and autopilot similar to that of the H225M (formerly the EC725). Also included is a Euro ir 350 electro-optical turret, a tactical information system, and an updated self-protection suite.

Three Cougars were upgraded in 2013, followed by ve more in 2014, and an additional seven aircraft will be delivered in 2015.

IN BRIEF By the third week of February, Euro ghter Typhoon IPA 7 (c/n GS0029, serial 98+07)

had completed over 30 test sorties since its rst ight with aerodynamic modi cations on

October 29, 2014. The airframe modi cations are colored

dark gray and comprise delta fuselage strakes below the

cockpit, apex strakes on the leading edge of the wing root,

and extended aperons. The strakes improve angle of attack (AoA) capability from 25 to 35 AoA and are primarily intended

to improve maneuverability while carrying large external

stores. Dietmar Fenners

E-3A serial LX-N9059 undergoes a test ight over Seattle, Washington. The aircraft is the rst of 14 NATO Sentries to be upgraded by Boeing with new cockpit displays and systems. Boeing

Upgraded AWACS fl iesBoeing recently conducted the fi rst fl ight of a NATO Airborne Warning and Control System (AWACS) E-3A equipped with upgraded avionics and display systems. The aircraft, which features fi ve full-color glass displays with customizable engine, navigation and radar data, is undergoing an extensive fl ight-test qualifi cation. Delivery of the fi rst upgraded aircraft is scheduled for January 2016, and all 14 NATO E-3As will ultimately receive the fl ight-deck update by 2018.

Besides ensuring compliance with current and future air traffi c control and navigation requirements that give the aircraft broader access to airspace around the world, the modifi cations also improve reliability and maintainability, and will decrease operational costs and reduce the number of fl ight crew by alleviating the need for a navigator. The aircraft was upgraded as part of a $394-million US Air Force contract awarded in 2012. The fi rst fl ight of an upgraded USAF E-3 is expected in 2016.

23www.combataircraft.net May 2015

22-24 Europe C.indd 23 20/03/2015 11:19

3www.combataircraft.net June 2015

40 COMBAT REPORT: DECISIVE STORMWith surprising speed, Saudi Arabia brought together an unprecedented multi-national force of Arab air arms in its bid to put down the Houthi uprising in Yemen. Arnaud Delalande examines the assets known to be involved in the air campaign

44 COMBAT REPORT: AIR WAR OVER TIKRITBabak Taghvaee evaluates the return of Iraqi combat aircraft in the skies of Tikrit in March, this time with Su-25s of the Iraqi Air Force joining the Mi-35Ms in a renewed attempt to liberate the city

46 PILOT PROFILE: DEATH RATTLERSDoug Aguillard meets Lt Col Brian Schenk, commanding o cer of VMFA-323 Death Rattlers

50 FIGHTS ON!F/A-18A+ Hornets from VFC-12 Fighting Omars and VFA-204 River Rattlers captured spectacularly during air combat maneuvering near NAS Key West by Jos M. Ramos

58 KOTRONI GUARDSLocated near the site of the ancient Battle of Marathon, Naval Air Station Kotroni is the heart of Hellenic Naval Aviation, as Carlo Kuit and Paul Kievit discover

62 INDUSTRY REPORT: T-X SHAPES UPCombat Aircraft editor Jamie Hunter evaluates the US Air Forces list of T-X requirements as contractors vie to land the contract for this lucrative program

06 Headline NewsF-35B gears up for IOC, USAF re-aligns B-1 force and India goes for Rafale

08 US NewsF-35C visits Lemoore, X-47B hooks up with Omega tanker and RC-135Us close call with a Flanker

18 World NewsIndian LCH conducts mountain trials, Irans Saeghe II in ypast and India receives upgraded Mirage 2000s

22 Europe NewsRAF Typhoon special schemes, last JAS 39C delivered to Sweden and latest European F-16 news

IN THE NEWS

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28 52

Our new Under The Radar column from Tyler Rogoway, and all the latest military losses

ON THE COVER: F-35As from Luke AFB y over the spectacular Grand Canyon in this issue we look at F-35A training at the Arizona base. Jim Haseltine

PLUS

Rich Cooper and Steve Comber meet Polands Fulcrum pilots as the legendary ghter spearheads the NATO front line once again66

June 2015 Vol 16 No 6

SAVESUBSCRIBE AND

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KEEPING THE TANKERS FLYINGMichael Keaveney visits Tinker AFB to see where AMCs KC-135Rs are stripped down every ve years for a thorough overhaul

AIR POWER REVIEW: AIR MOBILITY COMMAND 2015Tom Kaminski provides an overview of the Air Mobility Command mission and details the aircraft and units of this vital USAF command

AIR MOBILITY COMMAND: PART 2

92 BULLDOGS ON TOUROn February 13, A-10Cs from the 354th Expeditionary Fighter Squadron Bulldogs, normally based at Davis-Monthan AFB, Arizona, touched down at Spangdahlem for a six-month deployment in Europe. Rens van Rijn and Dennis Vink/PHODOCU report

96 CUTTING EDGECombat Aircrafts monthly column reporting from the front line of aerospace technology, by David Axe

FEELING THE FORCE AT LUKEThe 56th Fighter Wing at Luke AFB is becoming a center of excellence for F-35A training as the Lightning IIs capabilities expand. Jamie Hunter talks F-35 training, with images by Jim Haseltine

EXERCISE REPORT: SENTRY SAVANNAHJonathan Derden goes behind the scenes during exercise Sentry Savannah, as units seek a more cost-e ective way of training together

INDUSTRY REPORT: LIMA 2015Babak Taghvaee analyses developments at the biennial LIMA exhibition in Malaysia

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3 Contents C.indd 3 24/04/2015 14:05

CALLING TIME ON THE TALONON THE TALON

In this issue we take a close look at the USAFs T-X jet trainer competition. T-X and the Long Range Strike Bomber contest could have a serious impact on the US defense industry this year. Jamie Hunter

4 June 2015 www.combataircraft.net

COMBAT EDGE

4-5 Combat Edge C.indd 4 23/04/2015 16:13

Changing requirements and priorities are a constant hindrance to major defense contractors. Over time, factors are bound to evolve and major programs need to be able to

adapt without costs skyrocketing.It is interesting to note that when the US

Air Force fi rst started formally to seek a replacement for its T-38 Talon jet trainer under the T-X initiative, it was cost that drove many of the responses from prime contractors. Eyes turned to the Alenia Aermacchi M-346 as it won a competition in Poland, largely due to its having been offered at the lowest price. It helped make it a favorite for T-X.

When Boeing fi rst said that it would offer a clean-sheet design for T-X, many thought the St Louis-based company was mad. How could a clean-sheet proposal possibly compete on cost with an existing type that offered suffi cient capability and has completed most, if not all, of its fl ight-testing?

But just four years on, as of now, only one off-the-shelf solution is being offered for T-X: the Lockheed Martin/KAI T-50 Golden Eagle. It too could be sacrifi ced if it is deemed

unsuitable for a requirement that the prime contractors say has evolved. But has it?

Air Education and Training Command has set some pretty demanding goals in its T-X requirements, but those demands were always stringent. The G limit, the speed, the embedded simulation, the in-fl ight refueling capability this was all being talked about years ago.

The fact is that only a clean-sheet design can meet these aims everything else would be a compromise and the US Air Force isnt about to compromise right now, it seems.

The size of the T-X prize means that the Air Force can afford to (and needs to) get tough with its suppliers. This means that if a prime contractor with a clean-sheet design is the winner of T-X it will need to shoulder a great deal of risk if the US Air Force is to keep a lid on cost.

Keeping that companys shareholders happy will mean careful planning. Getting the requirements nailed as closely as possible right now, and being able to adapt to evolving ones, will be the key to ensuring that those clean-sheet designs are bang on the money.has completed most, if not all, of its fl ight-

But just four years on, as of now, only one

T-X: the Lockheed Martin/KAI T-50 Golden Eagle. It too could be sacrifi ced if it is deemed

unsuitable for a requirement that the prime contractors say has evolved. But has it?

clean-sheet designs are bang on the money.

Jamie Hunter, EditorE-mail: [email protected]

Changing Priorities

Jonathans passion for aviation started as a very young age, so it was only a matter of time before he became a pilot. He is now an airline transport pilot with an airline operating in the mid-Atlantic region of the United States. Though he started off taking photos

mainly of civilian aircraft, while pursuing his aviation degree at Jacksonville University in Florida his interest shifted to include military aviation after seeing S-3 Vikings and P-3 Orions on a daily basis. Jonathans focus now is on military aviation and the men and women that serve in such an amazing capacity.

CONTRIBUTOR PROFILE JONATHAN DERDEN


4-5 Combat Edge C.indd 5 23/04/2015 16:13


NEWS Headlines

F-35B test aircraft BF-02 returns to NAS Patuxent River, Maryland, in March at the conclusion of its 377th test mission, which involved high-angle of attack testing with a gun pod installed. Lockheed Martin

F-35B gears up for initial operationsSoftware bugs ironed out as Marine Corps readies for IOC

THE US MARINE Corps is reportedly on track to make its target date of July 15 to declare initial operational capability (IOC) with the F-35B

Lightning II. Lt Gen Jon Dog Davis isnt about to accept compromise and says that IOC isnt going to happen unless theyre ready and they can do all the things that theyve said they can do.

VMFA-121 Green Knights is the Marine Corps fi rst operational F-35 unit, currently stationed at MCAS Yuma. It is planned to make its operational debut in 2017 as the unit forward-deploys to MCAS Iwakuni, Japan.

There are still several hurdles to overcome ahead of IOC, the most signifi cant being the planned operational test (OT) embarkation on

the amphibious assault ship USS Wasp in late May. The trials aboard the Wasp are set for May 18-27, and will see six F-35Bs being deployed for what is dubbed OT-1. This is mainly geared towards demonstrating sortie generation and a fi nal check-out for maintenance procedures and performance of the F-35s troubled Automated Logistics Information System (ALIS).

Both VMFA-121 and Marine fi ghter attack training squadron VMFAT-501 Warlords will embark with the jets current standard of Block 2B software. The fi nal Block 2B standard isnt scheduled to come online until October, so the Marine Corps will deploy with an interim standard one with known defi ciencies.

Multiple reports have quoted F-35 Joint Program Offi ce chief Lt Gen

Christopher Bogdans comments about how, in its current form, the 2B software can falsely interpret detection of the same target within a four-ship formation of F-35s. This is all to do with the F-35s data fusion and sharing of target data within formations using the Lightning IIs stealthy Multi-function Advanced Datalinks (MADL). So, pilots within a formation are seeing not seeing the same contacts as their wingmen. Lockheed Martin has developed a software patch for this defi ciency, which will be part of 2B when the Marines declare IOC in July.

Pilots and maintainers have cleverly adapted to teething issues such as this, and work-arounds are considered suffi cient in order to stay on track with IOC. They feel confi dent they can go to war with it, said Bogdan recently.

6-7 Headlines C.indd 6 23/04/2015 16:13


MMRCA is dead, long live Rafale!According to April 10 announcements from both Dassault Aviation and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, New Delhi has settled on the rapid acquisition of 36 Rafale fi ghters in fl y-away condition. The decision leaves uncertainty surrounding the long-delayed Medium Multi-Role Combat Aircraft (MMRCA) program. The Rafale was originally selected for the MMRCA requirement in January 2012 but since then the procurement effort has stalled.

As a fi rst step in a bid to revamp its fi ghter fl eet, India will now effectively double the number of Rafales it will buy directly from France, 18 aircraft having been included under the MMRCA provisions. These were to be followed by 108 aircraft assembled by Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd (HAL). The future of these 126 aircraft is yet to be resolved, but the latest 36 jets, estimated to be worth around 4 billion, are in addition to any French-built aircraft that may yet be procured under MMRCA.

In terms of timing, Dassault foresees the 36-aircraft government-to-government deal proceeding quickly, without waiting for the conclusion of the license-production agreement. This will ensure the Indian Air Force receives Rafales as soon as possible expected to be between two and two-and-a-half years for the fi rst deliveries. A contract could be signed during the Paris Air Show in mid-June, but might be sealed as early as the end of May.

Some reports suggest that MMRCA negotiations, which have been dogged by disagreements over costs and warranties for the Indian-built jets, are set to continue, but that the program may ultimately be undertaken without participation from HAL. Other observers contend that the MMRCA program is effectively dead. Indian Defense Minister Manohar Parrikar remarked that if India goes in for additional Rafale fi ghters, it will also be through government-to-government deals.

The 36 Rafales will provide for two squadrons each comprising a nominal 14 single-seat and two twin-seat aircraft.

Reports from India, meanwhile, suggest the IAF is also having second thoughts about the HAL Tejas Light Combat Aircraft (LCA), and is eyeing other options to replace its MiG-21 and MiG-27 fl eets.

With Rafale orders from both Egypt and India lined up, it is expected that the next 49 delivery slots will be directed to export, before deliveries to France resume after 2019. The current production rate provides for 11 Rafales each year. Thomas Newdick

The USAF B-1B Lancer eet will move to Air Force Global Strike Command in October. Jim Haseltine

Bombers re-alignedThe US Air Force is moving its B-1B Lancer and forthcoming Long Range Strike Bomber program from Air Combat Command into Air Force Global Strike Command as of October 1. This re-alignment places all three Air Force bombers (B-1, B-2 and B-52) under one command and brings the LRS-B program with it, said Secretary of the Air Force Deborah Lee James. USAF chief Gen Mark Welsh added: Consolidating all conventional and nuclear-capable bombers within the same command allows the Air Force to streamline the global strike and strategic deterrence missions and create a lasting, positive impact for the Air Forces global strike capabilities.

The 7th Bomb Wing at Dyess AFB, Texas, and the 28th BW at Ellsworth, South Dakota,

will continue to serve as the host wings for the B-1 force.

Meanwhile, the chief of USAF acquisition William LaPlante has stated that LRS-B will be structured for a fi xed-price production phase, indicating a surprising level of understanding and maturity of the project despite so little being known publicly. A decision on the winning bidder for LRS-B is expected in June, with competitors Lockheed Martin/Boeing or Northrop Grumman then immediately expected to enter a development phase following contract award. LaPlantes previous comments have indicated that the decision on LRS-B will not be made purely on paper proposals and strong indications point to technology demonstrators operating in top secret.

Possible con gurations of a possible Chinese STOVL ghter have started circulating on the internet. via Chinese Internet

First steps towards Chinese STOVL fi ghterOffi cial reports from China indicate that development of a new short take-off and vertical landing (STOVL) fi ghter has begun. The Aviation Industry Corporation of China (AVIC)s Chengdu Aircraft Industry Group (CAC) division has signed a development contract related to the powerplant for a STOVL combat aircraft. The news, reported by the Sina media company, was accompanied by an unoffi cial rendering, which may or may not be an accurate refl ection of the appearance of the new project. This shows a single-engined, twin-tailed aircraft similar in appearance to the Lockheed Martin F-35B, but with canard foreplanes and prominent canted ventral fi ns replacing the horizontal tailplanes.

The joint development contract was signed on March 20 by the Chengdu Engine (Group) Co Ltd and the AVIC Space Engine Research Institute. This initial contract covers development of a lift-fan propulsion system. This may be similar to the F135 used in the F-35B, or perhaps the R-79 that powered the abortive Yakovlev Yak-141.

According to an article posted on the offi cial website of the AVIC group, the project aims to improve the Navys amphibious combat capabilities and fi ll the gap of this type of military weapon.

In its early stages the program is likely to involve a research project similar to the Shenyang J-31/FC-31, but this may eventually lead to a serial type. Thomas Newdick

Typhoon specialsRoyal Air Force Euro ghters turn on the style. See Europe News

Unmanned refuelingX-47B tanks from a Boeing 707. See US News

ALSO THIS MONTH

6-7 Headlines C.indd 7 23/04/2015 16:14

Above: F-35A serial 12-5053 prepares to depart for a mission at Nellis AFB, Nevada, on April 15. Ten Lightning IIs from the 61st Fighter Squadron were deployed from Luke AFB. USAF/SrA Thomas Spangler

This photo: Two VFA-101 F-35Cs y in formation with VFA-122 Super Hornets over the Sierra Nevada during Aprils six-day visit by the Lightning IIs to NAS Lemoore. US Navy/LCDR Darin Russell

Production QF-16 deliveredBoeing has received a $28.5-million contract modi cation for the production of 25 Lot 3 QF-16 full-scale aerial targets (FSATs). Deliveries are scheduled to be completed by October 2017. Boeing delivered the initial production QF-16C to the 82nd Aerial Targets Squadron at Tyndall AFB, Florida, on March 11. Serial 86-0233 is the rst of 13 Lot 1 QF-16s that will be completed by Boeing at its facility at Cecil Airport in Jacksonville, Florida. The company could convert as many as 210 early production F-16s into FSATs.

Combat King II upgradesLockheed Martin will develop the modi cations required to upgrade two USAF HC-130Js from the current Increment 0 to Increment 2 con guration as part of a $9-million contract modi cation. The e ort is expected to be complete by August 2016. Increment 2 provides the aircraft with increased electrical power, crash-worthy loadmaster scanner-position seats, and provisions for Large Aircraft Infra-red Countermeasures (LAIRCM). In related news the company also received a $72.7-million modi cation to an existing contract that provides for the purchase of a single HC-130J. Delivery is expected by the end of March 2017.

Dash 8s purchasedThe US Army is purchasing six DHC-8-315 series aircraft from the Dynamic Aviation Group at a cost of a $39.2 million. The Dash 8s are

con gured with Saturn Arch and Desert Owl intelligence systems that were used for a variety of intelligence-gathering in Afghanistan as contractor-owned, contractor-operated (COCO) systems.

MC-12W fate becomes clearerL-3 Communications Mission Integration Division in Greenville, Texas, will modify a former USAF Quick Reaction Capability MC-12W Liberty aircraft to MC-12S Enhanced Medium Altitude Reconnaissance and Surveillance System Multi-Intelligence (EMARSS-M) con guration for the US Army. The e ort will be carried out at the contractors Greenville, Texas, facility as part of a $7.7-million contract from the Army. The USAF recently transferred 10 MC-12Ws to the Army, and the aircraft will all be upgraded to the EMARSS-M con guration.

In related news, Air Force Special Operations Command (AFSOC) will continue to operate its existing eet of U-28As as its primary manned intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance platform. The command had hoped to acquire 33 MC-12Ws from Air Combat Command, but Congress decided that the MC-12W would only provide a marginal increase in capability over the U-28A. AFSOC will, however, take control of 13 of the modi ed Beechcraft King Airs that will be assigned to the Oklahoma Air National Guard and tasked to provide special operations ISR support and foreign training. No decision has been made regarding the fate of the remaining MC-12s.

CONTRACT NEWS

B-52s fl y Polar GrowlAir Force Global Strike Command (AFGSC) conducted a pair of simultaneous long-range bomber missions in support of US European Command and US Northern Command on April 1-2. As part of the US Strategic Command training sortie, which was called Polar Growl, two B-52Hs from the 5th Bomb Wing at Minot AFB, North Dakota, and a pair from the 2nd Bomb Wing at Barksdale AFB, Louisiana, respectively completed non-stop, round-trip sorties to the Arctic and North Sea

regions, from their home stations. In addition to transiting around the North Pole and gaining invaluable training in polar navigation, the bombers on the polar leg conducted dissimilar air intercept maneuvers with Royal Canadian Air Force fi ghters. The crews that fl ew the North Sea route participated in dissimilar air intercept maneuvers with fi ghters operated by the Royal Canadian Air Force, the Royal Air Force and (as pictured) the Royal Netherlands Air Force.

Frank Crbas/Bluelife Aviation


NEWS United States

8-12 US News C.indd 8 24/04/2015 08:37

F-35 latestFirst Lemoore visit Combat testing against F-16s

A PAIR OF Lockheed Martin F-35C Lightning IIs assigned to strike fi ghter squadron VFA-101 Grim Reapers arrived at NAS Lemoore, California, on

April 14 marking the fi rst time that the type had visited the air station. The F-35Cs remained at the base for several days, allowing personnel to gain some familiarity with the fi ghter Lemoore is scheduled to receive the fi rst of more than 100 F-35Cs that will be based there in January 2017.

Elsewhere, F-35A pilot training is under way at Luke AFB, Arizona. Brig Gen Scott Pleus became the fi rst pilot to begin training there (see also pages 28-37). Formal training of international pilots is scheduled to commence at Luke on May 4 when the fi rst class of students enters the Academic Training Center.

Lukes fi rst F-35A unit, the 61st Fighter Squadron, conducted the inaugural F-35 training deployment when it sent 10 jets to Nellis AFB, Nevada, from April 4-18. This allowed pilots to fl y over the Nevada Test and Training Range (NTTR) while support personnel conducted off-station maintenance operations.

As part of development testing (DT), F-35As engaged in air combat maneuvers against USAF F-16Cs for the fi rst time in January. Based on the results of these and earlier fl ight envelope evaluations, test pilots have indicated that the aircraft can be cleared for greater agility. Test aircraft AF-02, the primary Flight Sciences loads and fl utter evaluation aircraft, was used. It is one of nine Joint Strike Fighters comprising six F-35As, two F-35Bs and a single F-35C supporting DT efforts at Edwards AFB, California.

The Department of Defense has released the latest (per-aircraft) cost gures for the F-35s that will be delivered in low-rate initial production (LRIP) Lots 6-8.

Model Lot 6 Lot 7 Lot 8F-35A $117 million $112 million $108 millionF-35B $145 million $137 million $134 millionF-35C $134 million $130 million $129 million


8-12 US News C.indd 9 24/04/2015 08:38

NORTHROP GRUMMANS X-47B Unmanned Carrier Air Vehicle Demonstrator (UCAS-D) conducted the fi rst dry hook-up with a Boeing 707 tanker aircraft

operated by Omega Aviation over the Naval Air Warfare Center Aircraft Divisions Atlantic Test Range near NAS Patuxent River, Maryland, on April 15. In preparation for the autonomous aerial refueling (AAR) tests, the X-47B was modifi ed to use the Navys probe-and-drogue method.

According to US Navy offi cials, once AAR testing is concluded the two X-47Bs will likely be sent to museums or placed in storage with the 309th Aerospace Maintenance and Regeneration Group (AMARG) at Davis-Monthan AFB, Arizona. The Navy had

originally planned to retire the two Northrop Grumman-built demonstrators following carrier suitability testing, which was carried out last year. The service had intended to conduct aerial refueling tests using a surrogate aircraft, but at the urging of elected offi cials

it extended the testing schedule of the X-47B to include the AAR effort. As a result of that decision it issued a $64-million contract to Northrop to support the AAR trials. Much of the testing conducted by the X-47B will support the Navys planned development of an Unmanned Carrier Launched Airborne Surveillance and Strike (UCLASS) system.

The Navy is still developing the requirements for the UCLASS, but it plans to release a request for proposals in Fiscal 2016. Fielding is currently planned for the 2022 timeframe. It remains unclear whether the system will serve as a long-range intelligence platform or a stealthy strike platform. The fi nal decision regarding the UCLASS capabilities will likely not be known until an ongoing Pentagon-wide UAS strategic program review is completed.

Unmanned engagementX-47B hooks up to tanker

USAF C-130 cuts justifi edThe USAFs long-awaited report on its C-130 force structure was fi nalized in March and delivered to US law-makers on April 14. The congressionally-mandated review of the Air Forces intra-theatre airlift fl eet was required by a section of the Fiscal Year 2015 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) and provides a fi ve-year plan for the force structure for the services C-130H2, C-130H3 and C-130J aircraft. The 2015 NDAA prevented the service from moving or retiring any C-130s until 60 days after the Force Structure Report was delivered.

The Fiscal 2013 NDAA required that the USAF should maintain a fl eet of 358 C-130s

but the service requested permission to reduce this to 328 as part of its Fiscal 2015 budget request. Additionally, as part of its Fiscal 2016 budget request the USAF is seeking permission to further reduce the fl eet to 300 aircraft by 2019, which would save around $751 million over fi ve years and allow the remaining fl eet to be upgraded.

The report echoes the Fiscal 2015 budget with a few exceptions. The last standard C-130Hs will be removed from the active-duty inventory by Fiscal 2019. At that time the fl eet will include 100 C-130Js in the active component, 10 will be operated by the AFRC and 24 will be assigned to three ANG

units. It should be noted that this assumes conversion of the 175th Wing from the A-10C to the C-130J. The remainder of the fl eet will comprise C-130H2s and C-130H3s.

Negotiations over an Avionics Modernization Program (AMP) for the aircraft that are retained continue. Lt Gen James Holmes, deputy chief of staff for strategic plans and programs, said that plans could see either the comprehensive Boeing AMP or the lesser Viability and Airspace Access Program (VAAP) being adopted. Boeings AMP would, however, require a refresh because of changing equipment suppliers, but with only about 172 C-130Hs now needing AMP the costs have come down considerably.

X-47B BuNo 168064 (AV-2) operated by Air Test and Evaluation

Squadron VX-23 conducts a dry contact with 707-368C tanker

N707MQ (c/n 21368/925) operated by Omega Aerial Refueling

Services Inc as part of autonomous air refueling testing near NAS

Patuxent River on April 16. US Navy/Erik Hildebrandt

US Navy


NEWS United States

8-12 US News C.indd 10 24/04/2015 08:38

Wasp work-upThe Marine Corps amphibious assault ship USS Wasp (LHD 1) recently completed a combat systems ship quali cation trial (CSSQT) in long-lead preparation for its rst operational deployment since 2004. The ship has been operating in a reduced capacity but has supported testing of the both the MV-22B Osprey and the F-35B.

Over a two-year period BAE Systems completed upgrades to the ships combat and self-defense system and it is scheduled to begin a Marine Expeditionary Unit/Amphibious Ready Group deployment in the summer of 2016. In preparation for that, the Wasp will also conduct ight deck and well deck certi cations.

The USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN 71) Carrier Strike Group (CSG), with carrier air wing CVW-1 embarked, arrived in the US Fifth Fleet area of operations (AOO) after transiting the Suez Canal on April 6. The CSG subsequently relieved the USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70) CSG on April 13. The Vinson had been deployed to the region since relieving the USS George H. W. Bush (CVN 77) in October 2014. The CSG along with CVW-17 has been supporting Operation Inherent Resolve in the region. Over the past six months its squadrons ew over 12,300 sorties that included more than 2,300 combat missions and delivered 832 bombs.

Warthogs deployAccording to the 386th Air Expeditionary Wing, A-10Cs operated by the Indiana Air National Guards 163rd Expeditionary Fighter Squadron have own missions over both Iraq and Syria since commencing Inherent Resolve operations from Ahmed al Jaber Air Base, Kuwait. Through the end of March 2015, the Blacksnakes had expended nearly 50,000 rounds of ammunition

and dropped approximately 500 GPS and laser-guided bombs, Maverick missiles and rockets. Six A-10Cs assigned to the Idaho Air National Guards 190th Expeditionary Fighter Squadron arrived at Al Udeid, Qatar, to participate in three major coalition exercises during early March.

Eagles deployThe Air National Guard commenced its rst theater security package (TSP) deployment to Europe in support of Operation Atlantic Resolve on March 30 when 12 F-15Cs operated by the Florida Air National Guards 125th Fighter Wing and the Oregon Air National Guards 142nd Fighter Wing departed Jacksonville International Airport. The rst Eagles arrived at Leeuwarden Air Base, the Netherlands, on March 31. While deployed the ghters are assigned to the 159th Expeditionary Fighter Squadron. The aircraft initially participated in the Frisian Flag exercise from April 13-24 and were then scheduled to deploy to Graf Ignatievo, Bulgaria, to join F-15C/Ds deployed from the Louisiana ANGs 159th Fighter Wing.

DEPLOYMENT NEWS

Langley Raptor movementsSix F-22 Raptors from the 1st Fighter Wings 94th FS passed through Morn, Spain, on April 2 en route to the Middle East. They comprised serials 08-4152/FF, 08-4168/FF, 09-4177/FF, 09-4181/FF, 09-4183/FF and 10-4194/FF. Antonio Muiz Zarageta

Upgraded F-16 radar requiredThe commander of Air Combat Commands First Air Force, tasked with providing homeland air defense, has fi led an urgent operational need request seeking new active electronically-scanned array (AESA) radars for F-16Cs fl own by Air National Guard pilots assigned to the Aerospace Control Alert mission. Plans called for around 300 F-16s to be so equipped as part of the now cancelled Combat Avionics Programmed Extension Suite (CAPES) upgrade. In early March the Air Force Life Cycle Management Center (AFLCMC) released a sources sought notice to contractors seeking information on a development/production effort to replace the current F-16C/D Block 30, 40/42 and 50/52s AN/APG-68 fi re control radar with an AESA system. It says that the system should achieve initial operational capability by the fi rst quarter of Fiscal Year 2017. The USAF estimates that it would cost around $3.2 million per aircraft to install an integrated AESA radar system in the F-16C fl eet.

Missile milestonesThe AIM-120D variant of the Raytheon advanced medium range air-to-air missile (AMRAAM) achieved two major milestones when it successfully completed testing, was fi elded by the USAF, and achieved initial operational capability (IOC) with the US Navy. The Navys testing included evaluations with both the F/A-18C/D and the F/A-18E/F. It plans to fi eld the missile later this year. The AIM-120D provides increased range and improved performance via GPS-aided navigation, two-way datalink and new guidance software.

In addition, the latest Block II variant of the AIM-9X Sidewinder achieved IOC with the US Navy on March 31 after live-fi re testing was completed. The missile is expected to be approved for full-rate production this summer.

Combat rescue helicopter updateAir Combat Command (ACC) and Sikorsky are making steady progress with the development of the new HH-60W combat rescue helicopter. The rotary-wing branch of ACCs personnel recovery weapons systems division has been working with Sikorsky to defi ne key requirements for the aircraft since Sikorsky received the $1.28-billion engineering and manufacturing development contract in June 2014. ACC expects to conduct a preliminary design review by April 2016, with the critical design review following by spring 2017.

Flight-testing of the fi rst of four HH-60Ws is scheduled to begin in Fiscal 2019 and the target date for initial operational capability is set for Fiscal 2021. Based on the airframe of the US Armys UH/HH-60M utility helicopter, the HH-60W will replace the air forces current fl eet of HH-60G combat rescue helicopters.

KC-46 basing decision announcedThe US Air Force announced the selection of Tinker AFB, Oklahoma; Seymour Johnson AFB, North Carolina; Westover Air Reserve Base, Massachusetts; and Grissom ARB, Indiana, as the candidate bases for the fi rst Air Force Reserve Command-led KC-46A tanker locations on April 14. Each will be assessed against operational requirements, potential impacts to existing missions, infrastructure and other

requirements, and cost estimates will be developed. USAF offi cials also announced on April 14 that the 18th Aggressor Squadron and its 18 F-16C aggressor aircraft will remain at Eielson AFB, Alaska. The service had been considering moving them since last year when it announced that Eielson had been selected as the preferred alternative location for 48 F-35As.

F-15C/Ds from the 159th Fighter Wing, 122nd Fighter Squadron of the Louisiana ANG from NAS/JRB New Orleans passed through RAF Lakenheath, UK in April en route to Bulgaria. David Mackey


8-12 US News C.indd 11 24/04/2015 08:38

RC-135U serial 64-14849 (callsign Telex 97) of the 45th Reconnaissance Squadron returning to RAF Mildenhall on April 7 following the incident. David Mackey

Close call for Combat SentRC-135U intercepted by Russian Flanker over the Baltic

THE UNITED STATES fi led a diplomatic protest with Russia after a Su-27 Flanker allegedly fl ew dangerously close to a US Air Force RC-135U Combat

Sent intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance aircraft over the Baltic Sea on April 7. According to reports, the RC-135U fl ying a routine route in international airspace was intercepted by a Russian Su-27 Flanker in an unsafe and unprofessional manner north of Poland. The fi ghter reportedly passed within 20ft (6.1m) of the RC-135. Russian authorities confi rmed the incident but claimed that the RC-135 was detected by radar and was making steady progress toward [Russias] national border, and alleged that the aircrafts transponder was

not transmitting. US European Command denied the Russian claim on April 11 and stated that the aircraft was operating in accordance with International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) fl ight rules.

Another RC-135U was involved in a similar incident over the Sea of Okhotsk, north of Japan, when it was intercepted by an Su-27 around 60 miles (97km) from Russias east coast on April 23, 2014.

Knightriders move to the OspreyMarine medium helicopter training squadron HMMT-164 was re-designated as Marine medium tilt-rotor squadron VMM-164 at MCAS Camp Pendleton, California, on April 8, 2015. Known as the Knightriders, as HMM-164 it was the rst operational squadron to y the CH-46 and the nal active unit to operate the Phrog. Although HMMT-164 had served as the eet readiness squadron for the Sea Knight since 1999, it will return to operational duties once conversion is complete. A reserve squadron continues to operate the Sea Knight from Naval Station Norfolk, Virginia, but HMM-774 will retire its Phrogs this year and transition to the Osprey. Just two CH-46Es remained assigned when the event occurred and BuNo 153369 (pictured above) left Camp Pendleton on April 13.

Red Lancers begin Poseidon transition Patrol squadron VP-10 o cially marked the start of its transition from the P-3C to P-8A at NAS Jacksonville, Florida, on March 2. The milestone marks the rst major conversion for the squadron since receiving its rst P-3A in 1965. The Red Lancers are the fth of six operational squadrons from Jacksonvilles Patrol and Reconnaissance Wing Eleven to undergo the six-month transition at the P-8A

Integrated Training Center. Once the squadron completes the process and receives the P-8A Safe for Flight designation it will begin a 12-month inter-deployment readiness cycle (IRDC) in preparation for the rst Poseidon deployment.

Grizzlies end Predator operationsThe California Air National Guards 163rd Reconnaissance Wing ew its nal MQ-1B Predator mission on April 1. Since conducting its rst mission nearly nine years ago, the wings 196th Reconnaissance Squadron has own 5,509 sorties totaling 102,245 hours over 3,150 consecutive days with the remotely-piloted aircraft. As part of the USAFs plan to retire the Predator, the unit began converting to the larger and more capable MQ-9A Reaper in July 2014. As part of that e ort, it will move its operational ight from Southern California Logistics Airport in Victorville, California to March Air Reserve Base in Riverside.

Apache training unit stands downThe 21st Cavalry Brigade (Air Combat) was de-activated at Fort Hood Army Air eld in Texas, on March 26. The brigade trained more than 40,000 soldiers and 100 battalion-size units to operate the AH-64 and OH-58D attack and scout helicopters. The 300 personnel assigned to the Armys only Apache helicopter collective training unit primarily comprised civilians and only included around 80 military personnel.

Originally activated on July 14, 1984, and designated as the AH-64 Task Force Headquarters, 6th Cavalry Brigade, the organization was tasked with training and elding 36 AH-64A Apache attack helicopter battalions. The task force, re-designated as the Apache Fielding Brigade in January 1985, completed introduction of the AH-64A under the unit elding training program (UFTP) to the

6th Cavalry Brigades 3rd Squadron, 6th Cavalry Regiment, in July 1986. Re-designated as the Apache Training Brigade in August 1986 and the US Army Combat Aviation Training Brigade in 1992, it assumed its nal title in 1996 when it began elding and upgrading the attack battalions to the AH-64D Longbow. The Missouri Army National Guards 1st Battalion, 135th Aviation Regiment, was the last to complete the UFTP under 21st CAV BDE when it nished the program in June 2013.

The organization also conducted a foreign military training program that trained Apache pilots from Israel, Kuwait, Egypt, the United Arab Emirates, Singapore and Taiwan as well as CH-47D pilots from the Royal Netherlands Air Force. Whereas the brigades 12 AH-64Ds were sent to Mesa, Arizona, for upgrades or transferred to the 4th Combat Aviation Brigade at Fort Carson, Colorado, three UH-72As were moved to Fort Rucker, Alabama, where they will be used as training aircraft. Although the Dutch CH-47D and AH-64 training missions are continuing, both have been re-assigned to the First Army Division West. The brigade conducted its nal ight in July 2014.

Cavalry units prepare to stand downThe 7th Cavalry Squadron, 17th Cavalry Regiment (7-17th CAV) carried out its nal OH-58D training mission at Fort Campbells Sabre Army Heliport in Kentucky on March 27. In addition to retiring the OH-58D helicopters as part of its Aviation Restructure Initiative (ARI) the US Army will stand down the 101st Airborne Divisions 159th Combat Aviation Brigade (CAB) at Fort Campbell. The OH-58Ds will be moved to Davis-Monthan AFB, Arizona, in May and be placed into storage. The 3rd Battalion, 101st Aviation will be re- agged as the 2nd Squadron, 17th Cavalry and will operate its AH-64Ds in the scout role.

UNIT NEWS

CH-46E BuNo 153369 will eventually go on display at the National Museum of the US Marine Corps in Quantico, Virginia. USMC


NEWS United States

8-12 US News C.indd 12 24/04/2015 08:38

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THE LONG-RANGE STRIKE Bomber (LRS-B) continues to live in classifi ed purgatory, a gray world where the public is allowed to know generalities, but where program specifi cs

remain highly elusive. With this lack of clarity, the program has become a blank canvas onto which aerospace commentators and analysts have painted their biggest capability hopes and dreams, as well as their biggest budgetary reservations and nightmares.

In actuality, there are some facts that we do know about the shadowy LRS-B. One of them is that three of Americas biggest defense giants have much to gain and much to lose on what will probably be the last US manned bomber ever, and the last large military aircraft tendering for decades to come. As a result, these competitors have resorted to Madison Avenue tactics, including fl ashy Super Bowl commercials, in the hope of capturing what could be the most critical defense contract of the century.

Beyond the high stakes involved, we know that the LRS-B will be smaller than its B-2 Spirit progenitor, both in its payload and mass. We know that the US Air Force is desperately aiming to keep cost to about $550 million

per airframe and we know it wants its new bomber to be operational within the 2024-26 timeframe. We also know that a consortium of Lockheed Martin and Boeing is facing off against Northrop Grumman for the contract to build somewhere around 100 aircraft, give or take about 20 units.

We also know that the USAF is looking for much more than a bomber per se. Instead, the LRS-B will be a multi-role platform of sorts, able to provide not just direct and stand-off kinetic attacks, but also working as a connectivity and network node, an information, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) platform, and even potentially as a forward-deployed conduit for electronic warfare and exotic cyber attacks. The Air Force has stated that it will attempt to keep costs down and timelines intact by leveraging mature sub-systems, which should include sensors and sub-systems that are already deployed on front-line aircraft or which are already deep in their development cycle.

Initially, the LRS-B will be manned. Later on in its service life it may be optionally manned, although this still remains a suggested capability and not one that is known to be anywhere near set in stone. The aircraft has to be survivable against the latest and predicted

future threats, which include emerging networked integrated air defense systems (IADS) that use dissimilar sensors to search for and attempt to co-operatively track and engage stealthy targets.

Smarter procurementThese facts alone help paint a blurry yet useful picture of what the USAF wants out of its LRS-B. First off, after the abysmal procurement failures of the last decade-and-a-half, and the lessons learned by the B-2s declining orders and spiraling costs during the early 1990s, the Air Force is at least attempting to be realistic when it comes to balancing the LRS-Bs price versus capability. This is a rare move for a force that has been known to chronically and stubbornly buy into unbelievable cost predictions and timelines when it comes to high-profi le, centerpiece procurement programs.

In fact, the USAF brass has stated outright that the LRS-Bs requirements remain identical to what they were when originally offered for tender. This is an encouraging and rare sign.

The USAFs plan for opting out of integrating high-risk and expensive bleeding edge sub-systems and sensors into the initial LRS-B design, in the hope of seeing the program through to production in relevant numbers, and then spiraling in new systems once funds become available, is also encouraging. But these promises and ideas have only been kept through the LRS-Bs bidding stages. Once the USAF actually chooses a design it will take great restraint to keep the program from being

YOU CAN DETECT AMERICAS NEXT STEALTH BOMBER BUT YOU STILL CANT TRACK ITby Tyler Rogoway

COMBAT AIRCRAFTS NEW REGULAR COLUMN TAKING A LOOK AT THE HOTTEST TOPICS IN MODERN AIR POWER


14-17 Under the radar C.indd 14 22/04/2015 12:02

mired in costly capability creep. However, a cost-plus development and production contract arrangement that the USAF has recently touted as the likely procurement plan for the LRS-B will give the Air Force better control over the projects fi nancial destiny.

On the airframe side of the equation, a smaller design payload than the B-2s will allow the LRS-Bs size to be reduced. This is a good move that will have little negative impact on its capabilities as ever-smaller and harder-hitting smart weapons, the like of which were only being dreamed about during the B-2s development, are now a reality.

For instance, development of highly adaptable smart weapons racks that can accommodate throngs of Small Diameter Bombs will be more important than more antiquated requirements, such as arbitrarily stating how many 2,000lb-class weapons the aircraft can carry during a single sortie. Additionally, designing the aircraft with one weapons bay instead of two will decrease weight, size and cost, while still allowing the largest weapon in the USAFs arsenal to be carried that being the deep-bunker-busting Massive Ordnance Penetrator (MOP).

Although the LRS-Bs payload, sensors and subsystem requirements may be conservative, the LRS-Bs outer design will be anything but, as it has to remain relevant and survivable for decades. Still, a high degree of low observability is not as costly as it once was. This is primarily due to decades of constant investment, both public and private, into low-observable aircraft. Also, and even more

importantly, large-component aircraft, like fl ying-wing bombers, can greatly benefi t from modern composite manufacturing techniques, many of which were pioneered in the last two decades.

Large composite structures can now be built effi ciently while maintaining a high degree of durability and precision, including the smooth, continuous radial surfaces that are so critical to modern stealth designs. Just think of how far composite structures have come since the last B-2 was built over 20 years ago.

As a result of these materials-science breakthroughs and due to the requirement for broad-band low observability, the LRS-B will have a simpler appearance than its predecessors, with fewer small angles and taped-over seams than its predecessors. It should also feature larger, smoother, continuous surfaces made up of fewer components than its predecessor, the B-2. These design elements not only help with radar cross-section, but they also result in less individual structures to deal with when building the aircraft, which can positively affect cost.

It is fairly clear that Northrop Grummans LRS-B design will be an outgrowth of its cranked kite planform that has been seen on its X-47B demonstrator and some of the companys other recent military aerospace concepts. Meanwhile, the shape of Boeing and Lockheed Martins entrant remains less predictable, although something akin to a simplifi ed B-2 design, without its saw-toothed empennage, mixed with features from

Lockheeds giant Quartz Advanced Airborne Reconnaissance System (AARS) concept from the 1980s, seems a possibility.

What is out there?A whirlwind of reported sightings and speculation have captivated the aerospace world over the last year. One highly-publicized spotting over Texas in spring 2014 saw a trio of seemingly uniquely-shaped fl ying wings making their way gracefully across the sky. Another occurred over Wichita shortly after. Some claim these aircraft were in fact B-2s, while others say that is not possible. As a result, a single, defi nitive explanation as to the origin of both these sightings remains debatable. But, regardless of exactly what they were, one thing is certain their appearances jump-started American interest in secret aircraft programs and brought the LRS-B into the forefront of Americas consciousness.

There are also the simultaneous and physically large developments at both Groom Lake (Area 51), Nevada and Edwards Air Force Base, California. It has been clear for over a year that Edwards AFBs sprawling South Base complex, once the home of the now defunct Airborne Laser, is being rapidly prepared for a new aircraft test program, one on a physical scale that has not been seen in years. The most glaring evidence of this, beyond Edwards AFB employees saying as much, is the fact that all bomber operations, minus the B-2, have been moved to the Edwards main operations ramp. Although it is fairly certain that this bomber migration away

Northrop Grumman teased a potential advanced aircraft during its Super Bowl

commercial in February.



from South Base, and the heightened security there, is in preparation for the LRS-B program, there are some rumors that it will house the entire Long-Range Strike program, which includes a cocktail of systems, including high-fl ying unmanned surveillance aircraft and exotic stand-off weaponry.

Just over 200 miles to the north-east, at the center of the desolate and vast Nellis Range Complex, lies Groom Lake, the US militarys favorite hiding spot for its latest and greatest aerospace technologies. On the south end of this legendary installation, a new and massive hangar structure appeared to be under construction last summer. Not only is this hangars remote location peculiar near the end of runway, where no other operational infrastructure exists beyond taxiways but its dimensions are also puzzling. The facility is large enough for pretty much anything in the US inventory to fi t inside. Yet what is most intriguing about this structure is its vertical size, with a soaring roofl ine reaching high into the air. Could this giant hangar be the centerpiece of a whole new high-security area in which the LRS-B prototype, and possibly other associated projects, will be housed? Or could this be the mother of all scoot and hide shelters, used to keep projects from prying satellites view during testing? Either way, it is clearly built to accommodate something large in size, and the LRS-B could be at least one of the vehicles for which it is intended.

Some sort of demonstrator for the Next-Generation Bomber (the more elaborate precursor program to LRS-B that was cancelled in 2009, with the stripped-down LRS-B replacing it in 2011) is fairly certain to have fl own out of Area 51 during the latter half of the last decade. Another Northrop Grumman aircraft, this one unmanned, was said to have been in development around this same time; its existence has been all but confi rmed by the USAF. Dubbed the RQ-180 (most likely an inaccurate designation), this is understood to be a high-altitude, long-endurance, deep-penetrating, very low-observable surveillance aircraft that could also have secondary functions including electronic warfare and even limited kinetic attack capabilities. It could very well be part of the USAFs shadowy Long-Range Strike architecture, and may have been different from, or even one and the same as, the stealthy Next-Generation Bomber test article. The rumored existence of large Northrop-built stealthy aircraft demonstrators in the mid-to-late 2000s at Groom also coincides with another large hangar being built there in 2007.

In addition to what we know, speculation as to what we dont, and the physical observations of changes at suspect facilities, money both in the black budget and the white has fl owed into the LRS-B program, helping to validate its growing shadow. With billions already spent on developing the bomber, as well as on the more elaborate

Next-Generation Bomber program before it, we can be confi dent that something, or more likely some things, which represent these new technologies are fl ying today. This takes us to where we are now, in a quiet but clearly intense end-game of a competition that could literally make or break some big defense contractors military aircraft departments. The ramifi cations could lead to industry consolidation on a level we have not seen since the 1990s.

The fall-outIf Northrop Grumman loses the LRS-B contract it will also lose its throne as the master of the stealthy fl ying wing, one it has held at least since the introduction of the B-2. Northrop will also have no major airframe contract, especially of the manned variety, to carry it through the coming decades of predicted frugal defense spending. Likewise, if the Boeing/Lockheed consortium were not to win, Boeing could fi nd itself totally out of the manned warplane game, with its KC-46 being a derivative of the commercial 767, its P-8 Poseidon a variant of the 737, and the F/A-18 Super Hornet and F-15 Eagle nearing the end of their production runs.

Either way, Northrop Grumman or Boeing would only have the Navys Unmanned Carrier-Launched Airborne Surveillance and Strike (UCLASS) program to carry their military aircraft departments through. This program remains sketchy in terms of details and timeframe. That is, if Lockheed Martin does not win that contract, which is a real possibility: its RQ-170 Sentinel is the fi rst known unmanned operational stealth aircraft, and the companys Sea Ghost UCLASS concept is directly based on it.

All this amounts to a scenario in which Northrop Grumman, and Boeing to some

If Northrop Grumman loses the LRS-B contract it will also lose its throne as the master of the stealthy fl ying-wing, one it has held at least since the introduction of the B-2

The three aircraft seen ying together over Amarillo, Texas, in March last year (depicted here) and a similar craft photographed over Wichita, Kansas, by Je Templin may be linked to the LRS-B competition. Dean Muskett

Combat Aircrafts rendition of the three Amarillo craft that were seen last March were these part of an evaluation of LRS-B designs? If so, would there be three ying already? Ugo Crispioni



extent, will be fi ghting for their lives for a contract that could ensure their combat aircraft business for many decades to come. Northrop Grumman in particular is most vulnerable, as the loss of the LRS-B could put it entirely out of the prime aircraft contractor game. As a result, there is a chance this historic company could be at least partially absorbed by another contractor.

Lockheed Martin, which has the F-35 program, is the only LRS-B player certain to be able to survive a loss and continue as a combat aircraft manufacturer. If Northrop Grumman wins, Boeing does have the possibility of becoming a sub-contractor for it on the manufacturing end of the LRS-B, but that is a far cry from being the prime contractor and receiving lucrative development, sustainment, systems integration and even some upgrade dollars for many decades to come.

As far as who will win and who will lose, nobody can be certain at this time, and the USAF has played its cards very close to its chest. Northrop Grumman has the B-2 legacy as well as the X-47B, the shadowy RQ-180 and very possibly a government-funded Next-Generation Bomber test article in its pedigree. Meanwhile, Boeing has quietly invested big bucks into its stealth technology business following the X-32 Joint Strike Fighter loss and knows how to build big aircraft better than anybody, especially ones that employ cutting-edge composite structures.

On the other hand, Lockheed Martin is a giant with a legendary boutique design unit, the Skunk Works, behind it. The companys roster of related aircraft is also telling, including the worlds fi rst stealth combat aircraft, the F-117A; the F-22 Raptor; the worlds only disclosed stealth unmanned aircraft system, the RQ-170 Sentinel; and most importantly the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter.

The F-35 may seem like an unfortunate feather in Lockheeds cap when it comes to the LRS-B bid, but seeing as the concept behind the new bomber is all about integrating lower-risk mature and semi-mature systems, the F-35s incredible sensor fusion capability, including items such as its mission computer, electro-optical targeting system, distributed aperture system, multi-function advanced datalink, electronic support measures and electronic warfare suite could very well be enhanced and exported over to the LRS-B at comparatively low cost. This would also allow for parallel upgrades in the future, drastically cutting development costs.

Lockheed has also made large strides to stay on a par with Northrop Grumman when it comes to rapid prototyping and construction of exotic aircraft using large composite structures. This has been a necessary move after Northrop Grumman acquired Scaled Composites in 2007. Projects like the P-175 Polecat, X-55 Advanced Composite Cargo Aircraft (ACCA) and the RQ-170 are clear displays of where the Skunk Works will take its fabrication techniques in the future, and Lockheed has made huge investments in facilities that can support the production of scalable composite structures. Lockheed also has deep pockets, and there have been rumors that the company self-funded an LRS-B demonstrator by using an unfi nished test article from a previous program that had been sitting around at Palmdales Skunk Works facility.

Now it all comes down to waiting while the USAF scores its competitors offerings and comes up with a winner. This process is said to be in its end-game, with a formal announcement in the works for late spring or early summer. As for when we will actually get to see the USAFs new centerpiece

creation, that remains unclear, although certain indicators are pointing to some sort of unveiling in late fall or early winter of this year.

Still, dont expect to stroll around the winning LRS-B design at an airshow any time soon, as it may be many more months, or even years, before the public is allowed to see the craft in full detail. Seeing as the LRS-Bs operational capability is still slated at over a decade away, if not even longer in actuality, the USAF may decide to keep some of the LRS-B design elements classifi ed until production is fully under way.

Then again, there is a decent chance that the LRS-B wont make it that far to begin with. In a brave new world where a single F-22 costs nearly $350 million when you factor in research and development costs, can the LRS-B really end up near its target of $550 million per aircraft? If it far exceeds that number, especially early on, a Congress and an American public that are war weary and sick of procurement boondoggles may just move to pull the plug on the project all together. Additionally, if costs skyrocket, and the F-35 continues to have teething troubles, the USAF may kill, or greatly delay, the LRS-B project itself in an attempt to protect the F-35s funding.

With this in mind, the old adage of may the best aircraft win might be irrelevant when it comes to the LRS-B competition. The reality is closer to may the aircraft and manufacturing team with the best chance of coming in on price and schedule win.

In the end, no matter how survivable and capable the LRS-B is, it still has to survive the most deadly environment for any American combat aircraft, that being the Washington DC Beltway and multiple Presidential administrations.

Boeing has revealed very little to do with its LRS-B

o ering aside from this artists impression. Boeing



First Australian ies F-35Australias initial Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II pilot completed his rst ight in the aircraft on March 17. Sqn Ldr Andrew Jackson ew in a US Air Force F-35A at Eglin Air Force Base, Florida.

Royal Australian Air Force F-35As are currently located at Luke AFB, Arizona, in anticipation of the opening of the international pilot training center in mid-2015. Jackson will continue his intensive training program over the coming months. A rst F-35A will arrive in Australia at the end of 2018 and the initial operational squadron will be established by 2020.

Romeo completes initial sea trialsThe Royal Australian Navys Sikorsky MH-60R Seahawk has successfully undertaken rst-of-class ight trials. The RANs rst Romeo concluded the trials, conducted under the direction of the RANs Aircraft Maintenance and Flight Trials Unit, with a nal deck landing on HMAS Perth, marking the culmination of two years of intensive e ort.

The Romeo embarked in Perth at Fleet Base East in February and commenced over

72 hours of ight trials in di erent wind, weather and sea conditions, over a period of ve weeks. The helicopter was con gured for a range of operational roles, which included the tting of Hell re missiles and torpedoes. A total of 245 deck landings were completed by day and night.

Two more C-17As for RAAFAustralia has decided to acquire two additional Boeing C-17A Globemaster IIIs to bolster the Royal Australian Air Forces existing eet of six such strategic airlifters.

The acquisition of the two additional C-17s and associated equipment and facilities is valued at $767 million. The rst example will be delivered within six months of the initial order. The second is to follow within 10 months of that delivery.

The Australian acquisition reduces the number of white-tail C-17s to ve airframes, prior to closure of the production line later this year. Boeing has completed a total of 10 white-tails, ve of which have already been ordered by the United Arab Emirates (two), Canada (one), and now Australia.

AUSTRALIA Canada seeks new SAR aircraftThe Canadian government released a request for proposals (RFP) associated with its Fixed-Wing Search and Rescue Aircraft Replacement (FWSAR) project on March 31. The project will acquire replacements for Canadas six remaining de Havilland Canada CC-115 Buffalos and 13 Lockheed CC-130Hs that are used primarily in the SAR role. Canada originally started the search for a Buffalo replacement in 2005 but the program has been delayed several times.

Proposals are due by September and the government expects to receive the new aircraft by 2018. The government expects to spend around CAN $3.1 billion on procuring, operating and maintaining the aircraft over a 20-year period. Several manufacturers are expected to respond to the RFP including Alenia Aermacchi, Airbus and Lockheed Martin, which will offer versions of the C-27J, C295 and C-130J respectively. Tom Kaminski

Canada strikes in SyriaAir Task Force Iraq mission expanded under Operation Impact


NEWS World

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ROYAL CANADIAN AIR Force CF-188s conducted their fi rst air strikes in Syria as part of Operation Impact on April 8. Two Kuwait-based Hornets

used precision-guided munitions to target an Islamic State garrison near Ar Raqqah. A total of 10 coalition aircraft, including six from the US, were involved in the raid. Three previous RCAF sorties had been fl own over Syria, but munitions were not employed.

Canadas Air Task Force Iraq operates six CF-188s, one CC-150T Polaris tanker, and two CP-140 Aurora intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance aircraft in support of Combined Joint Task Force Operation Inherent Resolve.

Matthew McNulty

On March 25, Nigerian Air Force Dassault/Dornier Alpha Jet NAF477 transited through Manchester Airport from Kefl avk, Iceland during its delivery fl ight to Nigeria. The aircraft is one of at least two ex-Luftwaffe Alpha Jets acquired by the NAF, both of which

were previously operated by Air USA Inc. After a stop-over in the UK for fuel, the Alpha Jet then continued to Palma de Mallorca, Spain, on its way to Nigeria. The aircraft may be attrition replacements for two recent losses or part of a larger order.

This photo: CF-188s high over Iraq during recent operations. RCAF

The Royal Canadian Air Forces CF-188 demonstration aircraft for 2015 over 3 Wing Bagotville, Quebec, on April 1, own by Capt Denis Cheech Beaulieu. The Hornet wears a scheme commemorating the 75th anniversary of the Battle of Britain, including early 1940s-style camou age and tail murals that highlight key events and people related to that period of the air war. RCAF

Fifth Globemaster for RCAFThe Royal Canadian Air Force received its fi fth Boeing CC-177 Globemaster at 8 Wing Trenton on March 30. The airlifter, tail number 177705, augments the current fl eet of four CC-177s operated by 429 Squadron and based at 8 Wing Trenton.

The additional Globemaster is expected to extend the life expectancy of the entire fl eet by about seven-and-a-half years and will allow the RCAF to have at least three CC-177s available more than 90 per cent of the time.

Nigeria adds Alpha Jets

Battle of Britain scheme for demo Hornet


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KAI is preferred bidder for KF-XKorea Aerospace Industries (KAI) was selected as preferred bidder for Seouls KF-X future fi ghter project on March 30. Valued at $7.69 billion, KF-X will ultimately yield 120 examples of a new fi ghter to replace F-4s and F-5 with the Republic of Korea Air

Force from around 2025. KAI has teamed up with Lockheed Martin and was favorite to be selected, over a rival bid from Korean Air Lines and Airbus.

The Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA) selection

team opted for the KAI proposal after examining the two bidders respective development plans, abilities and prices. Final selection will be made after completing negotiations within a period of three months.

Dassault Aviation

First upgraded Mirage 2000s deliveredDassault Aviation has delivered the fi rst two upgraded Mirage 2000s to the Indian Air Force. The aircraft single-seater serial KF107 and two-seater serial KT201 were handed over during a ceremony at Istres, southern France. Indias Hindustan

Aeronautics Limited (HAL) will upgrade another 47 examples in India. The updated fi ghters are designated Mirage 2000I/TI.

The contract for the fl eet-wide upgrade was signed in July 2011, with the maiden

fl ight of the fi rst Dassault-updated example following in October 2013, after a two-year development phase. Most of the new equipment is provided by Thales, including the radar, electronic warfare suite, and the mission computer.

LCH cold-weather trialsIndias Light Combat Helicopter heads to the mountains

COLD-WEATHER TRIALS OF the Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) Light Combat Helicopter (LCH) were carried out recently at Air Force Station Leh, in Jammu and

Kashmir. Engine starts were satisfactorily carried out at altitudes of 3,000 and 4,100m (9,842 and 13,451ft), and at temperatures of around -18 degrees Celsius, after the LCHs internal batteries had undergone an overnight cold soak. Flights were also carried out to assess high-altitude and low-speed handling performances.

The trials involved LCH prototype TD-2, which was ferried to Leh from Bengaluru. Apart from HAL test pilots, members of the Indian Air Force and Indian Army also fl ew during the trials.

TD-3 made its maiden fl ight in November last year, and TD-4 is likely to fl y soon. Initial operating capability is expected in the later part of this year. Sanjay Simha

Sanjay Simha


NEWS World

18-21 World News C.indd 20 24/04/2015 08:38

Block 2 JF-17 takes ightThe latest iteration of the Pakistan Aeronautical Complex (PAC) JF-17 Thunder has made its rst ight. The initial Block 3 version, serial 2P01, took to the air from PACs Kamra facility on February 9.The Block 2 Thunder features changes including a refueling probe, improved oxygen system, and enhanced electronic countermeasures.

The Pakistan Air Force has 50 Block 2 JF-17s under contract, but the full aerial refueling capability will not be added until the 29th aircraft, which will be completed by the Chengdu Aircraft Industry Group (CAC) in China.

In related news, reports in the Chinese media suggest that Myanmar has signed a deal to buy the export version of the Thunder, the FC-1.

Pakistan seeks attack helicoptersThe US Department of State has approved a request from Pakistan for the supply of 15 Bell AH-1Z Viper helicopters. The deal, worth $952 million, would also includes engines, spares, and 1,000 AGM-114R Hell re II missiles.

Pakistan requires a new attack helicopter to conduct anti-terrorist operations in North Waziristan Agency (NWA), the Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA), and other remote and mountainous areas.

While the AH-1Z sale awaits approval from US Congress, the Pakistan Army has also discussed acquisition of the Mi-35 with Moscow, and has meanwhile received three Changhe Aircraft Industries Group (CAIG) Z-10 attack helicopters and one Harbin Aircraft Manufacturing Company Z-19 scout and reconnaissance helicopter from China for evaluation purposes. The Chinese-supplied aircraft have been seen in a hangar at Dhamial Army Air Base in southern Rawalpindi.

PAKISTAN

Gripen for Argentina?The defense ministers of Argentina and Brazil have begun negotiations for the sale of 24 Saab Gripen NG ghters and six Embraer KC-390 airlifters to the Argentine Air Force.Talks regarding the transfer of Gripens to Argentina are being held in conjunction with a declaration for democracy and peace signed between the two nations.

Argentina has previously discussed buying Chengdu JF-17 ghters from China, and is a development partner in the KC-390 program. A technical team from the Argentine Air Force has visited China to discuss a possible buy of 12 to 24 JF-17s. Buenos Aires has also received formal o ers for former Spanish Air Force Mirage F1s, ex-French Air Force Mirage 2000s, and Israeli K r Block 60s.

Saab and Embraer recently signed an agreement that establishes a partnership for joint management of the F-X2 project for the Brazilian Air Force. Under this agreement, Embraer will take a leading role in the overall program, including an extensive production work-share and delivery of both single- and two-seat versions of the Gripen NG.

Peruvian Spartan deliveryThe rst of four Alenia Aermacchi C-27J Spartan transports has been delivered to the Peruvian Air Force. The initial aircraft was welcomed during an o cial ceremony at Las Palmas air base on March 27. The second aircraft will arrive in May, and the remaining two, which were procured under a separate follow-on contract, will be delivered in 2016 and 2017. The Spartans will be operated by Grupo Areo de Transporte 8, located at Lima-Callao air base.

Viper deliveries nearAccording to Iraqi o cials, Baghdad is set to receive its rst Lockheed Martin F-16C/D

Fighting Falcons in July or August. Deliveries of the 36 Block 52 ghters to Balad air base were planned to begin in 2014 but have been held up as Iraq struggles with an internal con ict against Islamic State. Iraqi Air Force pilots are training on the F-16s with the Arizona Air National Guards 162nd Wing at Tucson International Airport.

Cayuse Warriors arrive in AfghanistanMD Helicopters delivered the rst six MD530F Cayuse Warrior helicopters to the Afghan Air Force on March 17. The scout/attack helicopters were own by Boeing 747 freighter to Kabul International Airport, where a roll-out ceremony took place on April 9.

The MD530Fs were delivered within six months of the October 2014 contract award for 12 aircraft. The remaining six will be delivered by the summer. Under the current contract, the Afghan Air Force eet will include 17 Cayuse Warrior gunships by early next year. The AAF already operates ve MD530Fs, the survivors of six delivered in 2011; these are currently used for training at Shindand Air Base.

SIGINT Pilatus for AfghanistanThe Afghan National Army (ANA) Special Operations Forces (SOF) are to receive ve Pilatus PC-12s equipped for signals intelligence (SIGINT). The aircraft are to be provided under a $9.3-million contract awarded to Sierra Nevada Corporation by the US Department of Defense. The contract is a modi cation of a 2012 deal that included 18 uniquely modi ed PC-12/47Es for the ANA SOF, valued at $218 million. The ve SIGINT platforms are additional to the 18 previous aircraft. Deliveries of the initial 18 examples are due to be completed in July, while the SIGINT aircraft should arrive in Afghanistan by the end of the year.

IN BRIEF

India to develop indigenous A330 AEW&CIndias Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) is reportedly set to develop a new airborne early warning and control (AEW&C) platform based on the Airbus A330. The ambitious new program was recently approved by the Defence Acquisition Council (DAC). Eventually, six A330 AEW&C aircraft could be built for the Indian Air Force, with an option for a further four. The capability is also planned for export. Airbus will be responsible for integrating the mission systems on the aircraft and for fl ight-testing and gaining certifi cation. India already operates three EMB-145 AEW&C aircraft and three A-50/Il-76s equipped with IAI-Elta Phalcon radars.

A formation fl ight in Irans 2015 Military Day Parade was led by 31st Tactical Fighter Squadron

F-4E serial 3-6684, Mashhad Forward Air Stations F-5F serial 3-7157 as number two, and Saeghe II serial 3-7182 as number three. Due to

poor timing, the Islamic Republic of Iran Air Force participated with just half of the planned

aircraft, while the remainder, including fi ve F-14As and four F-5E Saeghes, aborted their take-offs. The Islamic Republic of Iran Army Aviation

gave a fl ypast by 53 helicopters: 29 Bell 214As, 12 AB206Bs, six AH-1Js and six CH-47Cs.

Saeghe II joins Iranian parade


18-21 World News C.indd 21 24/04/2015 08:38

Alan Worsley

Lossie Typhoons intercept BearsNo 6 Squadron jets scrambled to escort Russian bombers

ON APRIL 14, during the course of Exercise Joint Warrior 2015-1, a quick reaction alert was sounded and two Eurofi ghte

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Combat Aircraft Monthly - June 2015

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