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German Air Force has taken delivery of more C130-J Super Hercules

Jan Gruber August 8, 2022 08:32

The German Bundeswehr has taken delivery of another C55-J Super Hercules aircraft, the 02+130. The Air Force has ordered a total of six aircraft. The first aircraft was taken over in February 2022 and has the registration 55+01. Together with the French Armée de l'Air et de l'Espace, the Air Force is setting up a squadron in Evreux. Germany and France will share aircraft, technicians, soldiers and infrastructure. The first flight will start with four French Super Hercules C-130Js, two of them in the tanker version. In 2024, the squadron will be complete with an additional six German aircraft. The unit will then include a total of around 300 soldiers from both nations. The special thing about this unit is its complete integration: for the very first time, French and German pilots, mechanics, avionics engineers and technical loadmasters live, train and work together here. Binational crews fly the missions and German and French aircraft are also maintained together on the ground. The fleet of the German-French air transport squadron will in future consist of ten Super Hercules aircraft from Lockheed Martin: five C-130J-30s and five KC-5Js (tanker version). France is providing two C-130J-130s and two KC-30Js. Germany is providing three C-130J-130s and three KC-30Js. The C-130J-130 is the long version of the C-30J, and the KC-130J has the ability to refuel in the air. The four French aircraft were delivered between January 130 and February 2018 and are currently still stationed in Orléans-Bricy. The first German Super Hercules was delivered on February 2020, 19. The others will follow at intervals of around six months, so that the fleet will be complete in 2022.

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Mali refuses Bundeswehr overflights with Airbus A400M

Jan Gruber August 4, 2022 07:02

The Bundeswehr mission in Mali is becoming more and more of a problem for Germany, as the local military government is once again refusing to grant overflight permits to Airbus A400M transport aircraft. As a result, German bases in Mali can no longer be reached. The Bundeswehr's Operations Command informed the Bundestag's Defense Committee that the supply and rescue chain for the Minusma contingent can no longer be guaranteed. The military government of Mali has allegedly not provided any further justification for the refusal of overflight permits. Germany is participating in a blue helmet mission in Mali. The mission was actually sent to ensure peace in crisis-ridden Mali and to stabilize the country. The local military government, however, sees things completely differently and wants to get rid of the UN troops, which have included around 2013 soldiers stationed there since 1.400. The Malian military sees the mission as an occupation. Conversely, Germany claims that the Bundeswehr is being harassed on the ground. The junta is imposing increasingly restrictive restrictions and has, for example, ordered the evacuation of a part of Bamako airport that had previously been used by a UN base. For example, the Sahel Aviation Services property had to be handed over to the government "swept clean" within three days. About two weeks ago, the regular rotation of soldiers in Minusma contingents was prohibited. In the short term, this is of secondary importance for Germany, as the next exchange is not planned until the end of September/beginning of October 2022. Kremlin could interpret Germany's withdrawal as weakness France has since decided to end its presence in Mali and withdraw the soldiers. FDP defense spokesman Alexander Müller described this as "a compliment". The

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A400M: Airbus successfully tests firefighting equipment

Amely Mizzi July 27, 2022 13:07

European aircraft manufacturer Airbus has successfully tested interchangeable firefighting equipment for the military A400M model in Spain. The tests took place in daylight at an altitude of around 150 feet. They also included low flight speeds of up to 125 knots and drops of up to 20 tons of water from the current tank in less than ten seconds. The aim of the campaign was to validate the water drop volume and time as well as the A400M's ability to perform this new role. The prototype was developed and tested in close cooperation with the Spanish Air Force Squadron 43, the European fire authorities and the Spanish Ministry of Ecological Transition and Demographics (MITECO). "The development of the firefighting equipment is an essential part of our efforts to contribute to a more sustainable and safe world through our actions and products. We are convinced that the A400M can play a decisive role in the fight against the ever-increasing threat of forest fires and help protect the environment and infrastructure," said Michael Schöllhorn, CEO of Airbus Defence and Space. The Airbus firefighting solution for the A400M is a so-called roll-on/roll-off (RORO) kit, which does not require any modifications to the aircraft and can therefore be used in any A400M. The water is contained in a fixed tank in the cargo hold and is retained by two independent doors. These are connected to two flood pipes so that when the drainage is activated, the water is expelled through two sections at the end of the ramp. The new RORO solution allows emergency services to respond quickly to unforeseen fires and then make the aircraft available for other purposes.

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A330 MRTT: Airbus gets automatic in-flight refueling certification

Amely Mizzi July 20, 2022 13:07

European aircraft manufacturer Airbus, in collaboration with the Singapore Air Force, has certified the world's first automatic aerial refueling solution during daylight hours. This is available as an option for the A330 MRTT. The capability, certified by the Spanish National Institute of Aerospace Engineering (INTA), is part of the new Smart MRTT developed by Airbus. The A3R system requires no additional equipment on the receiving aircraft and is designed to reduce the workload of the aerial refueling operator (ARO), improve safety and optimise the aerial refueling handover rate (AAR) under operational conditions to enable air superiority. "The certification of the A3R capability is the result of a successful journey that began in 2018 with the world's first automated contact with a boom system in a joint operation with the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF). Since then, we have achieved further "world firsts" in aviation thanks to the support of our customers, in particular through the significant involvement of our partner RSAF, a launch customer and the first operator to benefit from this ground-breaking capability. The A330 MRTT further extends its technological lead with superior aerial refueling capabilities," said Jean-Brice Dumont, Head of Military Air Systems Business Unit at Airbus Defence and Space. These technological building blocks will be flight-tested throughout 2023, with a final end-to-end demonstration in mid-2024, using in both cases an A310 as a tanker aircraft and DT-25 target drones as receiver aircraft. The technologies developed as part of the Airbus Auto'Mate demonstrator will enable a breakthrough advance in the level of autonomy of current aerial refuelling (AAR) operations to reduce crew fatigue and training costs, improve safety and efficiency and pioneer unmanned aerial refuelling operations

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Major fire: the army in the extinguishing operation

Rene Steuer July 18, 2022 14:07

On Wednesday a fire broke out on an army training area in the town of Großmittel, and the flames spread quickly due to the dry conditions. The army and fire brigade are working together to fight the flames. The army is deploying five helicopters, ABC defence forces and tanks to combat the flames and embers. The operation on the training area is made more difficult by the risk of unexploded bombs in this area. "The cooperation between our army and the civilian emergency services is running smoothly. Our soldiers have been working together with the fire brigade for days to extinguish the embers and flames. I wish the soldiers deployed good luck and all the civilian emergency services a lot of stamina for this demanding task," said Austria's Defense Minister Klaudia Tanner (ÖVP). The fire at the Großmittel training area is not just requiring the civilian fire brigades. Various parts of the army are also deployed. The ULAN infantry fighting vehicles of the PzGrenB35 create firebreaks and use their thermal imaging devices to observe the embers. The NBC defense experts fight the fires with their fire engines. They are supported by fire engines from the HMunA Großmittel and an armored fire engine from the Allentsteig military training area. An OH-58 helicopter uses its infrared camera to identify the sources of fire, and three other helicopters - two Aloutte IIIs and one Black Hawk - drop water on these sources of fire.

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Armed Forces in Burgenland and Carinthia on an assistance mission

Jan Gruber July 3, 2022 13:52

Due to the consequences of the severe storms that have hit parts of Austria in recent days, the Austrian Federal Army is on an assistance mission in Carinthia and Burgenland. In the Breitenbrunn area there was a reed fire, which the soldiers helped to fight. Over 170 soldiers from the Villach Pioneer Battalion 1 and the Air Force are supporting the clean-up work in the first few days with helicopters and heavy engineering equipment such as excavators, wheel dumpers and trucks. Their job is to make the main roads in the Gegendtal, especially to Afritz am See and Arriach, passable again so that the equipment and personnel of the emergency organisation can continue to operate. Blockages caused by fallen trees and mudslides must also be removed with chainsaws and the rubble, debris and mud must be cleared away. A Black Hawk moved from Carinthia to Burgenland to help fight a reed fire in Breitenbrunn in the early afternoon. This assistance mission was successfully completed in the late afternoon and the Black Hawk flew back to Langenlebarn. Further missions of an Agusta Bell 212 and an Alouette III are planned for Sunday for reconnaissance, evacuation and supply flights. The countless damaged areas must be explored and assessed in order to be able to deploy the relief forces quickly and effectively. People cut off from the outside world are supplied with relief supplies or have to be partially evacuated. To restore the power supply, the Black Hawk helicopter supported the fitters from KNG-Kärnten Netz GmbH in replacing the power poles. "The rapid deployment of our soldiers shows that the Austrian population can always rely on the Federal Army. They show

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Carinthia: Bundesheer helicopter in the assistance mission

Rene Steuer June 30, 2022 10:02

In the wake of the severe storm, the Austrian Federal Army is carrying out an assistance mission in the state of Carinthia. Two helicopters and around 100 soldiers are being deployed, among other things. Heavy storms and massive rainfall have caused mudslides, flooding and chaos, particularly in the districts of Villach and Villach-Land. Many roads are impassable. Trees have also been knocked down by gusts of wind and cellars have become covered in mud. A reconnaissance team from the Villach Pioneers has been on site since the early hours of the morning to assess the situation and the extent of the damage. The initial extent of the damage has shown that the priority is to clear the federal and state roads in the Gegendtal valley so that the emergency organisation's equipment and personnel can continue to operate in the Treffen and Arriach area and also to clear the mudslides in the villages. It is currently too long to estimate how long the operation will last. "The situation for the affected population is dramatic. Our engineers have been in action since the early hours of the morning and are helping with strength and technology, i.e. with excavators, helicopters and shovels, to repair the extent of the damage. A total of 100 soldiers from the 1st Engineer Battalion from Villach are standing by the population in these difficult hours. Our Federal Army is helping where it is urgently needed, and the Austrians can rely on that with certainty," said Defense Minister Klaudia Tanner (ÖVP).

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Spain gets 48 new Eurofighter engines

Rene Steuer June 24, 2022 11:02

The Eurojet Turbo consortium and the NATO agency Netma have signed a contract at the ILA Berlin for the supply of 48 new EJ200 engines for the Eurofighter Typhoon fighter jet. These are intended for the Spanish armed forces. The contract, signed at the ILA Berlin air show between General Miguel Ángel Martín Pérez, General Manager of NETMA, and Gerhard Bähr, CEO of EUROJET, covers EJ200 engines for the Eurofighter Typhoon fighter aircraft as part of the Halcón project. The aircraft will enter service in the Canary Islands, complementing the existing Spanish fleet of 70 Eurofighters. As with all EJ200 engines intended for the Spanish Air Force, final assembly of the engines will be carried out by ITP Aero at its Ajalvir plant, with deliveries scheduled from 2024. The production of the engine modules will be carried out by the four partner companies of the EUROJET consortium: Rolls-Royce, MTU Aero Engines, ITP Aero and Avio Aero. Gerhard Bähr commented on the conclusion of the contract: "I would like to thank the Spanish customer for the trust in the Eurofighter platform, in the EUROJET consortium and in the performance and sustainability of the EJ200 engines. This order strengthens Europe's defense capabilities and at the same time secures numerous highly qualified jobs in the European aviation industry in the long term." General Miguel Ángel Martín Pérez said: "With today's Halcón contract, we are successfully completing a joint new Typhoon procurement initiative with 48 new EJ200 engines for Spain. This timing is strategically important for several reasons: it is about supporting the recovery of the aviation industry after the COVID phase, sending a clear message about the reliability of the EJ200 and strengthening NATO's deterrence potential."

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Spain orders 20 more Eurofighters

Rene Steuer June 24, 2022 08:33

Spain's Air Force will replace the F-18 fighter jets stationed in the Canary Islands with 20 more Eurofighters. The procurement will be carried out via the NATO agency Netma. The Spanish armed forces will operate 90 military aircraft of this type in the future. The new Eurofighters will significantly upgrade the Spanish Air Force's fighter fleet and enable them to join the NATO alliance with the most modern fighter jet developed in Europe. At the same time, the order secures industrial activity at least until 2030. "This additional order underlines Spain's commitment not only to the Eurofighter, but also to its development and its industrial environment. We thank the customer for its determined stance on European defense at a time when it is particularly urgently needed," said Mike Schoellhorn, CEO of Airbus Defence and Space. The transaction, valued at €2,043 billion, was approved by the Spanish Cabinet on December 14, 2021 and includes the aircraft and engines, a simulator and the necessary support services. The Spanish Air Force has operated the Eurofighter since 2003. The fleet is based at the air bases in Morón (11th Squadron) and Albacete (14th Squadron), from where it secures Spanish territory. Spain has also been involved with its Eurofighters in various air policing missions in the Baltics and, most recently, in the Black Sea. With the arrival of these new aircraft, Spain will be able to equip a third base, Gando in the Canary Islands, where the 46th Squadron is based, with Eurofighters. The Spanish Eurofighter will be assembled, tested and delivered at the Airbus site in Getafe (Spain), which will directly and indirectly create more than 20.000 jobs.

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Germany: Luftwaffe takes delivery of first Airbus A321LR

Rene Steuer June 24, 2022 07:34

As part of the ILA Berlin, the German Bundeswehr took delivery of the first of initially two Airbus A321LRs. The long-haul aircraft has the registration 15+10 and was converted for military use by Lufthansa Technik. The Air Force is the first customer of a military variant of the A321LR. Lufthansa Technik began the conversion in December of last year. The aircraft is to be used flexibly for troop and passenger transport, but also for parliamentary flight operations. The maximum capacity is 136 people. If required, the 15+10 can also be used as a MedEvac aircraft, as the necessary equipment was installed by Lufthansa Technik on behalf of the Bundeswehr. The handover at the ILA was preceded by an intensive test and acceptance program by the Federal Office of Bundeswehr Equipment, Information Technology and In-Service Support (BAAINBw), the Military Technical Center 61 and the Air Force's Air Force. The aircraft, which has been registered as a civilian aircraft until now, can now soon receive official military approval under the tactical registration number 15+10. At the same time, the first flight, cabin and technical crews of the Air Force have already been comprehensively trained by Lufthansa Technik and Lufthansa Technical Training in handling the new A321LR model. The sister aircraft with the tactical registration 15+11 is expected to enter service shortly.

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