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Combat Aircraft Monthly - September 2015 UK PDF

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US Navy MMIILLDDEENNHHAALLLL SPECIAL OOPPSS retires THE Prowler Volume 16 • Number 9 NNOORRTTHH AAMMEERRIICCAA’’SS BBEESSTT--SSEELLLLIINNGG MMIILLIITTAARRYY AAVVIIAATTIIOONN MMAAGGAAZZIINNEE et n aft. cr air at b m o c FIERCE PHANTOMS Turkish F-4E on ‘Anatolian Eagle’ S IN THE NEWS: F-35b Latest developments EAGLES ON GUARD INSIDE THE BONEYARD — Massachusetts SEPTEMBER 2015 UK £4.40 ‘Black knights’ tomcats AMARG THROUGH THE YEARS Air National Guard MiG-21 LanCER — Romania’s rocket ship • SO LONG SH-60B SEAHAWK W! E N N E U S N AV Y & M A R I N E C O R P S W ! SPECIAL N Y E A R B O O K 2 0 1 5 E W ! Produced by the Combat Aircraft team; the US Navy and Marine Corps Air Power Yearbook is the ultimate guide to these two powerful air arms. Introduced by two senior officers, it is packed with features on latest aircraft capabilities, famous squadrons and the personnel that fly and maintain the various types, plus a detailed unit and aircraft air power review. This 100 page publication is a must-have for any US Navy or Marine Corps aviation fans. UNITED STATES MARINE CORPS IN 2015 Interview with Lt Gen Jon Davis The Marine Corps may be the smallest of the US military services, but its air component is admired around the world. James Deboer talks with Lt Gen Jon Davis, the US Marine Corps air chief. KING STALLION Jamie Hunter looks ahead to a milestone for 2015: the maiden flight of the Sikorsky CH-53K King Stallion, which is set to revolutionize Marine battle field heavy-lift. ADVANCED HAWKEYE ON MAIDEN CRUISE The US Navy deployed its brand new E-2D Advanced Hawkeye for the first time in 2015. Jamie Hunter and Giovanni Colla outline how Carrier Air Wings are moving into the latest generation of airborne early warning and control And much more! Available 13 AUGUST from and all other leading newsagents ALTERNATIVELY, ORDER DIRECT JUST £5.99 FREE P P * & *Free 2nd class P&P on all UK & BFPO orders. Overseas charges apply. 823/15 Call UK: 01780 480404 Free P&P* wwhheenn yyoouu oorrddeerr oonnlliinnee aatt OR Overseas: +44 1780 480404 www.keypublishing.com/shop Monday to Friday 9am-5:30pm SUBSCRIBERS CALL FOR YOUR £1.00 DISCOUNT! September 2015 • Vol 16 • No 9 34Alexander Golz and Dietmar Fenners provide images from exercise ‘Anatolian Eagle’ IN THE NEWS 26 DEFENDERS OF THE STATES 76 THE TURKISH TRAINER The Massachusetts Air National Guard is a proud Cristian Schrik visits 2’nci Ana Jet fl yer of the F-15C Eagle. As well as deploying Üs Komutanlığı (2nd Main Jet Base 06 Headline News around the world, it is heavily committed to Command) at Izmir-Çiğli, home to 122 F-35B completes readiness checks defending the homeland. Jamie Hunter reports, Filo ‘Akrepler’ (122 Squadron ‘Scorpions’) ahead of initial operating capability, with images by Jim Haseltine Dassault delivers fi rst Rafales to Egypt 08 US News New bomber decision delayed, EA-6B Prowler retired by US Navy and all the latest unit news 18 Europe News 80 LANCERS IN A400M deliveries resume, Belgium TRANSYLVANIA completes Middle East mission Daniele Faccioli, Alberto Celsan and 22 World News Giovanni Colla report on Romanian LanceR operations at Câmpia Turzii First Iraqi F-16s delivered to Balad, plus all the latest military losses 40 UNIT REPORT: THE QUIET PROFESSIONALS The 352nd Special Operations Wing is US Air Force Special Operations Command’s European airborne hub. Jamie Hunter 70 fl ies with the units that support all kinds FAREWELL of clandestine missions and short-notice BRAVO SEAHAWK! calls to action Over the past three decades 52 INSIDE AMARG the Sikorsky SH-60B Seahawk Known by several diff erent names has been a true anti-submarine over the past half-century, the Tucson workhorse for the US Navy. desert adjacent to the runway at Ted Carlson/Fotodynamics joins its Davis-Monthan AFB has long been last US Navy operators — recognized around the world as a place HSL-60 ‘Jaguars’ of fascination for aviation enthusiasts and history buff s alike. Jake Melampy explores this incredible boneyard 64 AIR POWER REVIEW: UKRAINIAN AIR FORCE AT WAR Earlier this year the Ukrainian Air Force opened its doors to a small group of journalists and photographers from across Europe for a briefi ng on the current status of the air arm. Alexander Golz and Stefan Fax were among the chosen few allowed exclusive access PLUS SSSSSSUUUBBBAAASSSCCCRRRVVVIIIBBBEEE AAAEEENNNDDD 88 GLORY DAYS: ‘BLACK KNIGHTS’ RULE News Report on the F-35 ‘dogfi ght story’ In the fi rst of a two-part feature, Tony and Robert F. Dorr’s Front Line column Holmes details the work of veteran F-14 Subscribe to Combat squadron VF-154 ‘Black Knights’ during Aircraft Monthly and Operation ‘Iraqi Freedom’ in 2003 ON THE COVER: make great savings on A Turkish Air Force F-4E 2020 tucks cover price. 96 CUTTING EDGE away its undercarriage as it launches Combat Aircraft’s monthly column for a mission during the recent exercise See pages reporting from the front line of ‘Anatolian Eagle’. Alexander Golz 38 and 39 for details. aerospace technology, by David Axe www.combataircraft.net September 2015 3 COMBAT EDGE This photo: A Kawasaki P-1 goes through its paces at the Royal International Air Tattoo. Jamie Hunter ON PATROL 4 September 2015 www.combataircraft.net FIND US ON CONTRIBUTOR PROFILE Back in the game TONY HOLMES A IT ISN’T OFTEN that one sees an all-new world’. He added: ‘The P-1 has been developed aircraft type for the fi rst time. So, the especially for Japan’s national security appearance of two Kawasaki P-1s at July’s environment, with a magnetic anomaly detector Western Royal International Air Tattoo at RAF [for tracking submarines].’ Australian by Fairford, UK, was extremely welcome. The UK maintains Project ‘Seedcorn’, with birth, Tony The Japan Maritime Self-Defense numerous personnel embedded in exchange Holmes was a Force (JMSDF) rarely ventures abroad, but the postings with allied MPA communities, published invitation to come to the UK comes at a time notably with the growing US Navy P-8 aviation when all eyes are on the potential for Britain to Poseidon fl eet. It is easy to see how most author by the acquire a new maritime patrol aircraft (MPA). would view the Boeing platform as a natural age of 20. There have been regular recent reports of choice for the UK; however, a competition is Moving to NATO MPAs being called upon to help patrol highly likely, and hopefully all contenders, England in 1988 to further his UK waters to react to potential submarine including the charismatic P-1, will be career, he has run the aviation book incursions. With such high levels of attention judged on merit and potential for this very list for Osprey Publishing ever being placed on the current air policing and important mission. since. Aside from being a regular quick reaction alert missions, it is easy to see contributor to numerous aviation why there is renewed emphasis on the MPA journals across the globe, Tony has role around the UK’s shores. also written more than 50 books and The RAF retired its last Nimrod maritime edited a further 300 in the past two patrol aircraft in 2010, leaving a gaping decades. A veteran of 25 aircraft ccaappaabbiilliittyy ggaapp.. FFiivvee yyeeaarrss oonn,, tthhee ppaarrttiicciippaattiioonn carrier embarks across the globe, he ooff tthhee PP--11ss iinn bbootthh tthhee ssttaattiicc aanndd flfl yyiinngg ddiissppllaayyss was presented with the Contributor aatt FFaaiirrffoorrdd wwaass nnoo ccooiinncciiddeennccee.. JJMMSSDDFF VVAADDMM Jamie Hunter, of the Year award for 2004-05 by the Makoto Sato is quoted as saying, ‘we hope US Navy’s Tailhook association — we can show the P-1’s high manoeuvrability Editor he is the only non-American to have and low-level capabilities to Europe and the E-mail: [email protected] received this prestigious prize. www.combataircraft.net September 2015 5 NEWS Headlines F-35B hits milestones Latest testing ahead of operational declaration M ARINE FIGHTER inert and high-explosive munitions in ATTACK Squadron Restricted Area 2507 in south-eastern (VMFA) 121 ‘Green California. In total, 18 500lb (227kg) Knights’ passed GBU-12s and 12 1,000lb (454kg) GBU-32s an operational were dropped. readiness inspection The Marine Corps Deputy Commandant (ORI) during the week of July 13-17 for Aviation, Lt Gen Jon Davis, has This photo: Test squadron VX-23 conducted the as the fi nal hurdle for the eagerly- confi rmed that VMFA-121 will re-locate fi rst weapons separation test of the Paveway awaited declaration of initial operating to MCAS Iwakuni, Japan, in January IV precision-guided bomb from an F-35B over capability (IOC) for the F-35B Lightning the Atlantic Test Ranges on June 12. The test 2017. The ‘Green Knights’ will operate 16 II. Conducted by personnel from fl ight was conducted by RAF Sqn Ldr Andy F-35Bs including six that will make the Headquarters US Marine Corps, Marine Edgell, who dropped two inert Paveway IVs fi rst deployment in support of a Marine Aviation Weapons and Tactics Squadron from test aircraft BF-03. Lockheed Martin Expeditionary Unit (MEU). (MAWTS) 1, and Marine Fighter Attack Speaking in the week of the ORI, Lt Gen Below left to right: The F-35 Integrated Test Training Squadron (VMFAT) 501, the Davis noted that his main concern over the Force and VX-23 conducted the fi rst ski-jump ORI assed all phases of the squadron’s take-off of an F-35B on June 19. The test, fl own F-35B relates to the availability of spares. operations, maintenance and training. by BAE Systems test pilot Peter Wilson, was ‘Do we have the depth in supply to support It followed the last few ‘box-ticking’ fl ight 298 for test aircraft BF-04. a combat deployment?’, he queried. He also exercises conducted by the Marine Lockheed Martin/Andy Wolfe noted that his threshold for recommending Corps, which included the fi rst F-35B an IOC declaration is: ‘Could we take this F-35B BuNo 168730 completes a check fl ight operational ordnance deliveries from at Hill AFB, Utah, on June 18, following fi nal squadron and go over to the Middle East June 22-26. During the missions, IOC modifi cations at the Ogden Air Logistics tomorrow after Gen Dunford declares IOC pilots fl ying six F-35Bs employed both Complex. USAF/Alex Lloyd — yes or no?’ 6 September 2015 www.combataircraft.net n Having 10 aircraft in IOC confi guration is o the key requirement for VMFA-121; this is viati eGsrsoeunpti a1l lsyta Bnldoacrkd 2.B software confi guration, ault A s In another recent milestone for the F-35B, s a BAE Systems test pilot Pete ‘Wizzer’ Wilson D completed a fi rst ski-jump launch in the Lightning II. It took place at NAS Patuxent River, Maryland, on June 19, using a land- based ski-jump replicating that used on the UK’s new Queen Elizabeth-class carriers. The launch by aircraft BF-04 began a two- week initial test phase for the F-35B on the ski jump. Phase II trials are due during the third quarter of the year. Meanwhile, ‘sister’ aircraft BF-03 has completed the fi rst release of a UK Paveway IV bomb from an F-35 with the Patuxent River Integrated Test Force (ITF). On June 12, Royal Air Force test pilot Sqn Ldr Andy Edgell released two inert 500lb dual-mode Paveway IVs from BF-03 over the Atlantic Test Ranges. This fi rst weapons separation test of the Paveway IV conducted by the Lightning II ITF saw the inert bombs separate safely from the internal weapons bay. The test work was Egyptian Rafales conducted by the Pax River ITF joint team, which is assigned to Air Test and Evaluation Squadron (VX) 23 at Pax. The weapon launch was part of the multi- phase testing of the F-35 Block 3F, which are delivered includes the UK-unique Paveway IV. However, the F-35B was dealt a blow by Australia’s recent decision not to procure the short take-off and vertical landing version of the jet. Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott had First export deliveries for French fi ghter considered acquiring up to 12 F-35Bs as a complement to the Royal Australian Air Force’s 72-strong F-35A fl eet, together Almost 41 years after the fi rst French- BA118 Mont-de-Marsan for training with with appropriate modifi cations to the made fi ghters entered Egyptian Air Force ETR 2/92 ‘Aquitaine’ and EC 2/30 two Canberra-class assault ships. The service, the air arm has received its fi rst ‘Normandie-Niemen’ respectively. The decision was made during preparation of three Dassault Rafale DMs as part of a pilot training course at the Rafale Training a forthcoming defense white paper, after contract for 16 two-seat Rafale DMs and Center (CFR) at BA118 lasted one month, studies showed that re-working the two eight single-seat Rafale EMs signed while the technicians’ maintenance course ships for fi xed-wing operations would be between Egypt and France in February. consists of up to three months with too costly and technically prohibitive. In 2014, Egypt decided to search for a Technical Support Aviation Squadron capable multi-role fi ghter to replace its (ESTA) 2E/118 ‘Chalosse’. The pilots were troublesome and expensive fl eet of Mirage subsequently sent to BA113 for a 2000s and aging Mirage 5s. It fi rst requested complementary fl ight and gunnery that France sell the Rafale in 2014. training course during June. In January 2015, a French delegation The fi rst three Rafale DMs for the EAF arrived in Cairo to start negotiations with performed their fi nal test fl ights at the Egyptian government. After these Bordeaux-Mérignac before being ferried to initial talks, another delegation of Egyptian Egypt, where they arrived on July 21. They government representatives and armed had all received EAF markings and serial forces commanders visited Paris to resume numbers: 9251 (c/n DM-01/B352), 9252 negotiations regarding procurement of (c/n DM-02/B353) and 9253 (c/n DM-03/ military equipment, later reported as 24 B354). Rafales and a FREMM multi-purpose Dassault has now completed a vital frigate with a total value of $5.3 billion. phase in delivering its fi rst Rafales to an Later, in February, Saudi Arabia fi nanced international customer, marking a 15 per cent of the total cost of the arms milestone after 20 years of export sales deal. Fifty per cent of the remaining cost effort. Babak Taghvaee was scheduled to be covered by a loan guarantee by the French government. The ALSO THIS MONTH... contract for procurement of 24 Rafales and a FREMM frigate was duly signed. US Air Force delays LRS-B decision Delivery of the frigate and fi rst batch of Competition announcement now set for three Rafales was scheduled for August September. See US News 2015. In May 2015 a group of ex-Mirage 2000 Iraqi ‘Vipers’ delivered technicians and pilots were sent to the First aircraft arrive at Balad. See World News Armée de l’Air’s BA113 Saint-Dizier and www.combataircraft.net September 2015 7 NEWS United States n a m m u Gr p o hr ort N LRS-B decision delayed US Air Force bomber unveiling moves back T HE EAGERLY ANTICIPATED already aggressive time schedule. Northrop weapons, and could eventually be $55-billion contract award for Grumman is up against a team comprised optionally manned. Much of the funding the development of the US of Boeing and Lockheed Martin, and the associated with the bomber’s development Air Force’s new Long-Range USAF is understood to be taking its time has been contained in classifi ed budgets, Strike — Bomber (LRS-B), over the decision in order to avoid the and many speculate that the compressed which was originally possibility of a protest from the losing schedule towards service points to a expected last spring, could be delayed bidder. project already well into development. until September, according to Secretary The Air Force has released very little It is considered highly likely that both of the Air Force Deborah Lee James. The information regarding the new bomber competing parties have already fl own USAF plans to fi eld 80-100 new bombers but has said it will have stealth features, demonstrator aircraft as they fi ght to win beginning in 2020 and is compressing an will carry both nuclear and conventional the lucrative contract. New sensors UH-1Y tests Intrepid Tiger II planned for Air Test and Evaluation Squadron (HX) 21 completed the fi rst test fl ight with ‘a developmental electronic warfare pod’ installed on a UH-1Y helicopter at NAS Patuxent River, Maryland on June 8, 2015. Imagery shows what appears to be an Intrepid Tiger II pod, Global Hawk which is a planned capability development for the UH-1Y and the AH-1Z. Intrepid Tiger II (IT II) is already carried by the AV-8B and provides a precision EW communications jamming capability. US Navy Northrop Grumman and the USAF are nearing an agreement regarding the terms of a co-operative research and development agreement, under which the contractor would modify two Global Hawks to carry the United Technologies Aerospace Systems’ Optical Bar Camera (OBC) and Senior Year Electro-optical Reconnaissance System (SYERS-2C). Those systems are currently only capable of being carried by the U-2S intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) aircraft. The contractor’s internally-developed universal payload adapter will also allow the Global Hawk to carry the E-8C’s high-resolution Goodrich MS-177 multispectral camera. A demonstration of the installations aboard the RQ-4C will likely take place in 2016. If this proves successful, it will likely infl uence any decision to retire the U-2. 8 September 2015 www.combataircraft.net Strike Eagle HC-130H air tanker enters service delivers B61-12 The US Forest Service formally placed and contractor pilot and maintenance its fi rst HC-130H air tanker in service at crew training was carried out. A second The US Air Force and National Nuclear Forest Service Air Station McClellan in HC-130H is scheduled to arrive in Security Administration (NNSA) Sacramento, California, on July 10. The Sacramento by October and tail number recently conducted the fi rst fl ight test Hercules, which carries the US Coast 1708 will serve as a training aircraft, of the B61-12 guided nuclear weapon, Guard tail number 1721, now wears tanker although it is also capable of carrying the which was employed by an F-15E number 118 on its tail. MAFFS II system. All seven HC-130H air from the 422nd Test and Evaluation In mid-June, Tanker 118 arrived at tankers are expected to be overhauled, Squadron on July 1. The Strike Eagle Coast Guard Air Station Sacramento modifi ed, equipped with a 3,500-gallon dropped the inert B61-12 on a target where it underwent maintenance; its gravity-fed retardant delivery system and at the Tonopah Test Range north- newly installed Modular Airborne Fire transferred to Forest Service ownership west of Las Vegas, Nevada, ‘under Fighting System II (MAFFS) was tested by 2019. representative delivery conditions’. The jointly developed weapon couples a King Air modifi cations planned refurbished B61 bomb with a Boeing- designed tail kit. Engineering and manufacturing The US Army is planning to modify a Once modifi cations are complete, the LPA development (EMD) of the B61-12 number of Beechcraft King Air 350ER will be re-designated as the EMARSS — Life Extension Program (LEP) began aircraft to Enhanced Medium-Altitude Multi-intelligence (EMARSS-M) and the in February 2012 and the store will Reconnaissance and Surveillance System CH-A and TACOP-LiDAR aircraft as the become the primary tactical nuclear (EMARSS) confi guration. The Enhanced EMARSS — GEO-Intelligence (EMARSS-G). weapon carried by US and NATO Medium-Altitude Reconnaissance and The project will initially modify up aircraft when it enters service in the Surveillance System — Follow-on Variant to seven aircraft to the EMARSS-M or early 2020s. It will replace the current Modifi cations (EMARSS-FVM) project will EMARSS-G confi guration. The work will inventory of B61-3, -4, -7, and -10 initially modify up to 13 government-owned be carried out by L-3 Communications weapons but not the penetrating B61-11 Quick Reaction Capability (QRC) King Airs Corporation’s Mission Integration Division ‘bunker-busting’ variant, which entered comprising Liberty Project Aircraft (LPA), in Greenville, Texas. In March 2015 the service in 1997. Two additional tests Constant Hawk — Afghanistan (CH-A) Army issued a $31.8-million contract are planned for this calendar year. The examples, and Tactical Operations — Light for the conversion of one LPA aircraft weapon will eventually be integrated Detection and Ranging (TACOP-LiDAR) to the EMARSS-M confi guration to L-3 with the Block 4 version of the F-35A aircraft. Communications. Joint Strike Fighter, the F-16C, B-2A, and the Tornado strike aircraft. Lockheed Martin has teamed with Raytheon and Bombardier to bid for the Joint STARS ‘recap’ program, off ering the Global 6000. Lockheed Martin DEPLOYMENT NEWS Oregon Guard deployed to Romania F-15Cs operated by the Oregon Air National Guard’s 142nd Fighter Wing arrived at Câmpia Turzii, Romania, on July 6. Personnel, assigned to the 123rd Expeditionary Fighter Squadron, will train with their Romanian Air Force counterparts as part of a theater security package (TSP) deployment to Europe in support of Operation ‘Atlantic Resolve’. The 123rd assumed its role as the lead unit of the TSP at Câmpia Turzii from the Florida ANG’s Joint STARS replacement moves forward 159th EFS, which had been deployed since March. The USAF expects to select up to three plans to issue up to three 16-month ‘pre- contractors to move forward with pre- EMD’ contracts and will hold an open 24th MEU completes deployment development technology maturation and competition for the full EMD effort in 2017. The 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit, which risk-reduction efforts associated with its Three contractor/teams have been had been deployed aboard the three ships Joint Surveillance Targeting and Attack identifi ed and submitted proposals. that make up the USS Iwo Jima (LHD 7) Radar System (Joint STARS) recapitalization Lockheed Martin has teamed with Raytheon Amphibious Ready Group, returned to the program in late August or early September. and Bombardier — its design will utilize US east coast on July 14. The ARG had been According to the USAF, the airborne the latter’s Global 6000 business jet as deployed since December 2014 and spent command and control, intelligence, the platform. Northrop Grumman’s team much of the past seven months supporting surveillance and reconnaissance (C2ISR) includes L-3 Aerospace Systems and the 5th Fleet in the Middle East and south- program has been fully funded in Fiscal Gulfstream Aerospace, which will produce west Asia. It departed the 5th Fleet area 2015 and 2016, and $2.4 billion has been a G550-based aircraft. Boeing has not yet of operations on June 21. Marine Medium budgeted for it over the following fi ve years. created a team but has determined that it Tilt-rotor Squadron (VMM) 365 (Reinforced) Currently installed on Boeing 707/E-8C will offer its 737-700BBJ1 airframe. Also served as the MEU’s Aviation Combat airframes, the program is intended to install known as the 737-700 Increased Gross Element. In addition to the squadron’s own the Joint STARS synthetic aperture radar Weight model, this combines the 737-700 MV-22Bs it was responsible for elements of (SAR)/ground moving target indicator fuselage with the 737-800 wing to provide Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron (HMH) (GMTI) mission area capability on a increased range and maximum gross take-off 461, Marine Light Attack Helicopter Squadron signifi cantly smaller and more effi cient weight. The winner of the fi nal EMD contract (HMLA) 269, and Marine Attack Squadron airframe. It will utilize open systems will deliver three test aircraft. The Air Force (VMA) 231, which deployed with CH-53E, architecture to ensure future competition expects the new type to achieve initial UH-1Y and AH-1W helicopters and AV-8B and enable new capabilities to be added operational capability in 2023 and plans to Harrier IIs. more quickly and affordably. The USAF procure a total of 17 aircraft. www.combataircraft.net September 2015 9 NEWS United States So long, Prowler Museum, BuNo 161884 for Seattle’s Museum of Flight, and the last fl yer, BuNo 163890, to NBVC Point Mugu, California. VAQ-134 commanding offi cer CDR Chris Jason said: ‘That’s the Prowler story: doesn’t US Navy retires its last EA-6B get a lot of glory, doesn’t always get the fanfare, just does the job because it needs to, it does it right, and then it just fi nishes out T HE US NAVY formally ‘Garudas’ completed the type’s fi nal cruise strong, and that’s how we did it.’ retired the Northrop EA-6B last November and all fi ve of the unit’s A small number of US Navy Prowlers will Prowler electronic attack aircraft have now been gifted for public still conduct test and evaluation work at aircraft from its operational display: BuNo 164036 for the Castle Air NAS Patuxent River, Maryland, and NAWS inventory at NAS Whidbey Museum, BuNo 163386 for Denver’s Wings China Lake, California, in support of the Island, Washington, on June Over the Rockies Air and Space Museum, Marine Corps, which will continue to fl y 27. Electronic Attack Squadron (VAQ) 134 BuNo 163030 for the Palm Springs Air the EA-6B until 2019. Joe A. Kunzler EA-6B BuNo 163890 operated by VAQ-134 lifts off from NAS Whidbey Island at the start of its fi nal fl ight on June 27. Northrop Grumman/Edgar Mills King Stallion fi rst Skytruck retirement under way fl ight delayed Although the C-145A fl eet was the 309th Aerospace Maintenance and consolidated at Duke Field, Florida, Regeneration Group. The center will retain As news broke of Lockheed Martin’s plans following the transfer of the last aircraft the remaining C-145As for its Aviation to acquire Sikorsky Aircraft in an $8-billion from the 27th Special Operations Wing Foreign Internal Defense (AvFID) mission deal, the helicopter manufacturer announced at Cannon AFB, New Mexico, in March to ensure its pilots remain ‘current in that it has delayed the fi rst fl ight of the new 2013, the Air Force Special Operations Air an aircraft’, according to the AFSOC CH-53K. Citing the need for additional Warfare Center is reducing the fl eet of 16 commander. Ultimately the command testing, the maiden fl ight of the initial Skytrucks to just fi ve. Jointly operated by plans to lease aircraft that are more tailored YCH-53K will, according to the US Navy, the 6th Special Operations Squadron and to the specifi c capacity-building needs of occur ‘prior to the end of this calendar year, Air Force Reserve Command’s 5th Special partner air forces being trained. The fi rst fall of 2015’. Originally planned for summer Operations Squadron, the majority of the of the retired Skytrucks arrived at Davis- 2014, the event has been delayed several aircraft will be fl own to Davis-Monthan Monthan when C-145A serial 08-0310 times due to development problems. The AFB, Arizona, by August for storage with touched down on May 28. most recent hold-ups are the result of a re- design of the aircraft’s gearbox. C-145A serial 10-0322 is towed on Qualifi cation testing of the gearbox is the 309th AMARG fl ight line at Davis- scheduled to begin in August and should be Monthan AFB, Arizona, shortly after completed in late September or early October. arriving for storage in July 2015. It will subsequently undergo 175 hours of 309th AMARG testing in the ground test vehicle before it is cleared for fl ight. Sikorsky indicates that the CH-53K’s initial fl ight will take place in October or November. According to the Marine Corps Deputy Commandant for Aviation, the King Stallion remains on track to reach initial operational capability in 2019. A Government Accountability Offi ce report indicates that the CH-53K development cost has increased by 44 per cent, and the cost of a single aircraft by 13 per cent since work began. 10 September 2015 www.combataircraft.net

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Gulfstream Aerospace, which will produce a G550-based aircraft. Boeing has not yet (SIGINT), electronic attack, and command and control
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