- Thread Starter Thread Starter
- #101
Yes, I believe we'll see Tornado GR.4 and Typhoon FGR.4 sharing Afghanistan duties before long..
Royal Air Force [RAF] discussions and updates
- Thread starter neil
- Start date
swerve do you know if there are any issues with Tornado fleet which means that it hasn't been used in A-Stan [im talking about the UK fleet as the German Recon planes are there] because despite its more expensive maeitience compared with the harrier i think its a better for A-Stan
I thought there were Tornados in Iraq still
The Tornado GR.4 is not a CAS aircraft. Even though it may carry Brimstone, it's not particularly suited to the mission.
The strike mission in Afghanistan is already sufficiently handled, CAS aircraft are also needed however. The only other fixed-wing CAS aircraft in Afghanistan currently are the (8-10?) A-10 of the USAF 455th AEW operating from Bagram.
Strike aircraft:
- USAF: about 10-12 F-15E, Bagram
- AdA: 3 SEM + 3 Mirage 2000D, Kandahar
- KLu: 8 F-16MLU, Kandahar (?)
edit: no Norwegian F-16 after all - last in 2006
Recon and EW aircraft:
- USN: about 4 EA-6B + 1 EC-130H, Bagram
- Lw: 6 Tornado IDS/Recce, Mazar-i-Sharif
- AdA: 3 Mirage F1CR, Kandahar
Additionally, there are about 20 AH-64 currently in Afghanistan (US,UK,No).
Last edited:
- Thread Starter Thread Starter
- #104
You are correct in saying that the Tornado GR.4 was not designed for CAS. It can, however, do the job as has been proven during Operation Telic in Iraq and exercise Green Flag in the US.
There was a report in the UK aviation magazine Airforces Monthly a while back stating the sterling job the GR.4 is doing in Iraq. Apparently many ground commanders prefer it, for several reasons, among them being the fact that it has good loiter time and is extremely accurate with Enhanced Paveway II and 27mm cannnon.
Like most strike aircraft today the GR.4 also carries a targeting pod and has an extremely important ISTAR role to fulfill in addition to CAS.
I believe the reason why GR.4 wasn't deployed to Afghanistan initially has to do with the fact that the UK government wasn't sure how long the deployment would last, they thought there was a good chance it might be short term. (As the then Sectratary for Defence stated - they might be home without firing a shot) Also they didn't know how demanding the deployment was going to be.(They initially only sent five or six GR.9's. There are now 11.) Thus they totally underestimated the impact the deployment would have on the three squadron GR.9 force.
Plus it must also not be forgotten that the runway at Kandahar was initially in bad shape. (Tailor made for STOVL Harriers.)
And also the GR.4 force was already doing the Iraq commitment. To sum up then.. a number of factors were at play.
We will almost certainly see the Harrier force relieved soon. Be it by Typhoon or GR.4 or both.
the STOVL F35 flies
Lockheed Martin F-35B STOVL Stealth Fighter Achieves Successful First Flight
FORT WORTH, Texas, June 11th, 2008 --
F-35B STOVL Takes Off For The First Time
With test pilot Graham Tomlinson at the controls, the short takeoff/vertical landing (STOVL) Lockheed Martin [NYSE: LMT] F-35B Lightning II streaked into blue Texas skies Wednesday, marking the first flight of an aircraft that will provide a combination of capabilities never before available: stealth, supersonic speed and STOVL basing flexibility.
Tomlinson, a former Royal Air Force Harrier pilot now employed by BAE Systems, performed a conventional takeoff at 10:17 a.m. CDT from Lockheed Martin’s Fort Worth facility. As planned, all initial F-35B flights will be made using conventional takeoffs and landings, with transitions to short takeoffs, hovers and vertical landings beginning early next year. Tomlinson guided the jet to 15,000 feet and performed a series of handling tests, engine-power variations and subsystems checks before landing at 11:01 a.m. CDT.
nice to see that it was flown by Brit and see the most risky version of the F35 is now flying
oops: seen the same artical in the F35 thread mods can delete
Lockheed Martin F-35B STOVL Stealth Fighter Achieves Successful First Flight
FORT WORTH, Texas, June 11th, 2008 --
F-35B STOVL Takes Off For The First Time
With test pilot Graham Tomlinson at the controls, the short takeoff/vertical landing (STOVL) Lockheed Martin [NYSE: LMT] F-35B Lightning II streaked into blue Texas skies Wednesday, marking the first flight of an aircraft that will provide a combination of capabilities never before available: stealth, supersonic speed and STOVL basing flexibility.
Tomlinson, a former Royal Air Force Harrier pilot now employed by BAE Systems, performed a conventional takeoff at 10:17 a.m. CDT from Lockheed Martin’s Fort Worth facility. As planned, all initial F-35B flights will be made using conventional takeoffs and landings, with transitions to short takeoffs, hovers and vertical landings beginning early next year. Tomlinson guided the jet to 15,000 feet and performed a series of handling tests, engine-power variations and subsystems checks before landing at 11:01 a.m. CDT.
nice to see that it was flown by Brit and see the most risky version of the F35 is now flying
oops: seen the same artical in the F35 thread mods can delete
Confirmation in the UK press today, along with the announcement of increased troop levels, that GR4's will replace Harrier in A-Stan. The Tornado's upgraded equipment, low-level capabilities and specialised tactical strike / reconnaissance experience will bring much to the table. They can also remain in the air for longer and the crews have extensive experience operating in Iraq. RAF Marham and RAF Lossiemouth will provide crews rotating every few months.
The Harriers can now return to the carrier role, reduce airframe usage and remain in service until the F35B's arrive. With the arrival more Typhoon's coupled with the large numbers of GR4's in service will hopefully remove the need for the Harriers to return?
The Harriers can now return to the carrier role, reduce airframe usage and remain in service until the F35B's arrive. With the arrival more Typhoon's coupled with the large numbers of GR4's in service will hopefully remove the need for the Harriers to return?
- Thread Starter Thread Starter
- #108
Right after the good news.. some sad news. A Harrier from Cottesmore crashed yesterday flown by a RN pilot. (luckily he's okay)
Hopefully reduced commitments can avoid events such as this for JFH in future, although in military flying, I suppose, you can never have a zero accident rate.
Hopefully reduced commitments can avoid events such as this for JFH in future, although in military flying, I suppose, you can never have a zero accident rate.
the F35B is meant to much easer to fly so it should be reduced good news for the GR-4 and the harriers
not_so_sis
New Member
RAF Global operations
I have been researching the Global operations of the RAF but would appreciate if people who have a good understanding of the current deployments and permenant bases could comment on any details they have observed. Incuding any areas of controlled airspace and airfield locations. Thankyou for your input!
I have been researching the Global operations of the RAF but would appreciate if people who have a good understanding of the current deployments and permenant bases could comment on any details they have observed. Incuding any areas of controlled airspace and airfield locations. Thankyou for your input!
RAF Invertory
Can anyone provide a concise list of RAF assets. (Fixed wing and rotary).
ie. 250 Gr4
100 GR9
And also do you think that the defence of UK airspace with only short range
Starstreak HVM at battlefield level. The ageing Rapier C for medium range defence of airfields but with no long range missile until the Type 45 comes on line is good enough protection?.
I know we have Tornado and Typhoon ready to scramble but what radars are used to warn of an attack? Does the military have its own or is it alerted by air traffic control??
Sorry for a three part question and I hope it makes sense. Sorry if its in the wrong forum
Can anyone provide a concise list of RAF assets. (Fixed wing and rotary).
ie. 250 Gr4
100 GR9
And also do you think that the defence of UK airspace with only short range
Starstreak HVM at battlefield level. The ageing Rapier C for medium range defence of airfields but with no long range missile until the Type 45 comes on line is good enough protection?.
I know we have Tornado and Typhoon ready to scramble but what radars are used to warn of an attack? Does the military have its own or is it alerted by air traffic control??
Sorry for a three part question and I hope it makes sense. Sorry if its in the wrong forum
Moved to the RAF thread.
windscorpion
New Member
This what you are looking for?
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_active_United_Kingdom_military_aircraft#Royal_Air_Force
You should try the Defence Analytical Services Agency, you're looking for Table 3.8
WillS
www.boilingthefrog.co.uk