British Air Power in T2K [Archive]

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RN7

03-16-2011, 11:37 AM

I thought I'd type up a list of British air forces for the war.

Much of its is based on actual data I could find on British military strenght from the late 1980's to the late 1990's, and various sources and T2K articles, with a few additions of my own. Some aircraft such as the Falcon and the Spitfire never actually existed or hadn't entered service at the start of the T2K time period, but its a reasonable assumption that some Eurofighter's were rushed into service and Britain could buy an F-16 wing from the US. Some squadrons and flights werent around in the 1990's, but they are real and I have them reformed as Britain build up its military strength before and during the early period of the war.

All listed forces are at pre-war strength C. October 1996 into early 1997, and I have tried to reference when air units are redeployed, and some limited history. I've also listed Chico's USAF forces based in the UK to illustrate just how much American air power would have been in the UK at this time.

I haven't finished what my British air forces in 2000 would like like yet. I'm sure I've missed a few things but I hope you all have fun with it.

Abbreviation
AWC: Air Warfare Centre
CFS: Central Flying School
DCAE: Defence College of Aeronautical Engineering
DTEO: Defence Test & Evaluation Organisation
ETPS: Empire Test Pilot School
FRADU: Fleet Requirements and Air Direction Unit
FTS: Flying Training School
MRF: Meteorological Research Flight
MS: Maintenance Squadron
MU: Maintenance Unit
OCU: Operational Conversion Unit
RAE: Royal Aerospace Establishment
RAFC: Royal Air Force College
SARTS: SAR Training Squadron
STT: School of Technical Training
TSS: Training & Standardisation Squadron
TTTE: Tri-National Training Establishment
TWU: Tactical Weapons Unit

British Aircraft
Apache AH.1: British made variant of the AH-64D with more powerful British engines, avionics and sensors, a folding blade assembly for naval use and anti-ice protection for Arctic use. The Apache was beginning to replace the Lynx AH.7 in the attack role when the war started, and is only used by the British Army.
Boeing 747F: The British government requisitioned Boeing 747-400F cargo aircraft from Britain’s commercial fleet in 1997, and put them into service with the Royal Auxiliary Air Force.
Buccaneer S.2B: British anti-ship strike bomber that was scheduled for retirement before the war, but the RAF had almost 50 aircraft left in service and storage at the end of 1996.
Canberra PR.9: Photo-reconnaissance version of the Canberra, with a modified fuselage, more powerful engines and infrared cameras, and reportedly fitted with similar long range optics to the U2 spy plane.
Chinook: US CH-47D transport helicopter knows as Chinook in British service. 12 additional Chinooks were delivered from US Army stocks in 1997 to augment the RAF Chinook fleet, while some commercial Boeing Model 234 Chinook helicopters were also incorporated into the Royal Auxiliary Air Force.
Falcon F.1: The Falcon is the British designation of the US F-16C Block 40/50 tactical fighter, of which 48 were purchased directly from USAF stocks in 1996 to replace the Phantom in frontline air defence roles.
Gazelle: French designed light utility/scout helicopter used by the Army, Royal Navy and the RAF. Some army models fitted with fixed light machine guns and rocket pods during the war.
Harrier GR.5: Second generation British VTOL aircraft equivalent to the USMC AV-8B, but with no radar and British avionics, weapons and countermeasures. The GR.5 was being replaced by the improved GR.7/9 model before the war, but GR.5’s were quickly brought back into service.
Harrier GR.7: Frontline RAF Harrier with upgraded engines, increased performance during carrier-borne operations, and upgraded ordinance such as the Maverick and enhanced Paveway. The Harrier’s lack of reliance on airfields proved particularly useful to NATO forces.
Harrier GR.9: The most advanced version of the Harrier with improved engines, avionics and weapons. The GR.9 was rated for night operations and the latest NATO smart weapons.
Hawk: British advanced training aircraft that was used as a light attack/fighter aircraft. Hawk units equipped with gun pods and AAM’s were attached to Phantom FGR.2 or Tornado F.3 to utilise their radars.
Hercules C.1: British designation of the C-130H. Some equipped with in-flight refuelling probes, fuel tanks for long range operations and modern ESM, jammers, decoys and flares.
Hercules C.1K: 6 C.1s were fitted with probes, four fuel tanks, and a hose-drogue unit to refuel other aircraft and were designated C.1K
Hercules C.3: 30 C.1s were fitted with 4.57 m fuselage plugs and designated C.3, and equipped with in-flight refuelling probes, fuel tanks for long range operations, and modern ESM, jammers, decoys and flares.
Hercules C.4: 6 purchased from the US in 1997, and equivalent to the C-130J.
Hercules C.5: 3 purchased from the US in 1997, and equivalent to the C-130J-30.
Jaguar GR.3: Anglo-French ground attack aircraft used by the RAF for rapid deployment and regional reinforcement. The Jaguar also had the ability to operate from improvised runways such as stretches of motorway.
Lynx AH.7: The British Lynx AH.7 was the main battlefield helicopter of the British Army. Used in the attack, transport and reconnaissance role, its 8 TOW missiles gave it a potent anti-armour capability.
Lynx AH.9: Unarmed utility version of the Lynx with upgraded engines and undercarriage.
Lynx HAS 2/3: Naval version of the Lynx with folding rotors, deck and tail harpoon. Lynx can carry depth charges, torpedoes and Sea Skua missiles. The HAS.3 variants have improved avionics, sensors and radios.
Merlin HC.3: Anglo-Italian transport helicopter that was only beginning to enter service with the RAF at the start of the war.
Merlin HM.1: Naval variant of the Merlin used in the anti-submarine role by the Royal Navy.
Nimrod MR.2: Long ranged maritime patrol aircraft with in-flight refuelling capabilities and modern surveillance and ESM sensors. The MR2’s primary role is anti-submarine warfare, with a large weapons bay including depth charges, torpedoes, naval mines and sonobuoys. The MR.2 can also carry AGM-84 Harpoon missile and is rated to carry British WE.177A and US Mark 57 and 101 nuclear depth bombs. In the 1980’s the Nimrod MR.2 fleet was fitted with wing hard points to carry air-to-air missiles.
Nimrod R.1: Signal intelligence aircraft with advanced sensors and surveillance equipment.
Phantom FGR.2: A variant of the US F-4 Phantom II, with British engines and avionics. RAF Phantom’s were replaced by Falcon F.1 prior to the Twilight War, but at least 36 Phantom’s were held in storage at the start of the war and they were soon put back in operational service. Some also ended up in the Mediterranean and the Far East.
Puma: French transport helicopter produced under license in Britain and used by the RAF. Commercial SA 330 Puma’s were also incorporated into the Royal Auxiliary Air Force in 1997.
Sea Harrier FA.2: Naval variant of the Harrier deployed on British aircraft carriers. FA.2 uses the powerful Blue Vixen radar system and can carry a wide variety of ordinance including the Sea Eagle anti-ship missile.
Sea King AEW.2: AEW Sea King variant used by the Royal Navy from their aircraft carriers.
Sea King HAR.3: Search and rescue Sea King variant used by the RAF.
Sea King HAS.5: Anti-submarine Sea King variant used by the Royal Navy.
Sea King HAS.6: Upgraded Anti-submarine Sea King variant used by the Royal Navy.
Sea King HC.4: Commando assault transport Sea King variant used by the Royal Navy to support the Royal Marines.
Sentry: The Sentry AEW.1 is the British designation of the E-3D AWAC. The RAF purchased 7 aircraft in the 1990’s to replace the obsolete Shackelton AEW.2.
Spitfire/Eurofighter FGR.1: The Eurofighter was designed as an air superiority fighter for the air forces of Britain, Germany, Italy and Spain. However the deteriorating situation in Europe led to the withdrawal of Italy and Spain from the programme, leaving Britain and Germany to step up development and production. Named Spitfire in British service, no more than 28 were delivered to the RAF operating with two squadrons.
Tornado F.3: The fighter-interceptor variant of the Tornado. Planned as a long ranged interceptor, the F.3 was designed to engage targets at long range rather than perform tactical and air superiority missions.
Tornado GR.1: First generation strike bomber variant of the Tornado, designed for low-level and all-weather conventional and nuclear penetration strike missions.
Tornado GR.1B: The anti-shipping Tornado variant equipped with Sea Eagle anti-ship missiles.
Tornado GR.4: Strike bomber Tornado variant with updated avionic, computers and weapons systems, as well as FLIR, HUD and NVG.
Tornado GR.4A: Reconnaissance Tornado variant with advanced internal TIRRS sensors, and also capable of being used for strike missions.
TriStar: Lockheed L-1011 TriStar airliners converted to duel role air-to-air tankers and transports in the 1980’s. Only 6 aircraft (K1, KC1) are capable of air-to-air refuelling, three others (C2, C2A) are cargo aircraft only.
Wessex: British built version of the 1950’s era Sikorsky S-58 transport helicopter. Many were still in use at the start of the war by the RAF and Royal Navy.
VC-10: Former British commercial airliners converted to air-to-air tankers in the 1970s and 1980s.

British Ordinance
AGM-65G2 Maverick: US air to surface anti-armour missile deployed on Harrier GR.7/9 only.
AGM-84B/E Harpoon: US air launched anti-ship missile deployed on Nimrod MR.2 only.
AGM-88 HARM: US high speed anti-radiation missile deployed on Tornado GR.4.
AGM-114 Hellfire: US anti-armour missile used by army Apache AH.1 only.
AIM-9G/L/L1/M Sidewinder: US short ranged air to air missile.
AIM-92 Stinger ATAS: US surface to air missile modified for air to air role and used by Apache AH.1 only.
AIM-120 AMRAAM: US medium ranged air to air missile.
AIM-132 ASRAAM: Anglo-German short ranged air to air missile.
ALARM: British anti-radiation missile deployed on Tornado GR.4, Tornado F.3 and Jaguar GR.3 only.
AN/AAQ-28: Israeli precession targeting pod deployed on Tornado GR.4 and Spitfire FGR.1 only.
AN/AAQ-33: US precession targeting pod deployed on Harrier GR.9 only.
BGM-71 TOW: US anti-armour missile used on army Lynx AH.7
BL755: British cluster-bomb that can only be dropped from a maximum altitude of 2600 metres.
Brimstone: British anti-armour missile with a range of 4.3 nm, or as high as 17.3 nm depending on aircraft speed. Was scheduled to enter service in early 2000’s but production rushed for T2K.
CBU-87: US cluster bomb.
CRV7: Canadian 2.75 inch rocket pod.
GBU-10 Paveway II: US laser guided 2000 IB bomb.
GBU-12 Paveway II: US laser guided 500 IB bomb.
GBU-16 Paveway II: US laser guided 250 IB bomb.
GBU-24 Paveway III: US laser guided 2000 IB bomb with penetration warhead.
JDAM: US joint direct attack munition guidance kit.
JP 233: British air dropped submunition delivery system with 30 runway cratering submunitions and 215 anti-personnel mines.
LANTIRN: US Low altitude navigation and targeting infrared pod.
Mk.1 Bomb: British freefall 570 IB bomb
Mk.2 Bomb: British freefall 570 IB bomb
Mk. 2 Depth Charge: British depth charge used by navy helicopters.
Mark 11 Mod 3: British depth bomb used by navy helicopters.
Mark 44 Torpedo: US torpedo built in Britain and deployed on Nimrod MR.2 and navy helicopters.
Mark 46 Torpedo: US torpedo deployed on Nimrod MR.2 and navy helicopters.
Mark 57: US variable 5-20kt nuclear fission depth charge/bomb under dual US/British control carried by RAF Nimrod MR.2s.
Mark 101: US 11kt nuclear fission depth charge/bomb under dual US/British control carried by RAF Nimrod MR.2s.
Pave Spike: US laser designator pod.
RAPTOR: US reconnaissance pod deployed on Tornado GR.4A.
Sea Eagle: British anti-ship missile deployed on RAF Tornado GR.1B, Buccaneer S.2B and navy Sea Harrier FA.2
Sea Skua: British short ranged anti-ship missile deployed from navy helicopters,
Skyflash: British medium ranged air to air missile derived from the US AIM-7 Sparrow.
Starstreak: British surface to air missile modified for air to air role and used by Apache AH.1 only.
Sting Ray: British torpedo used by Nimrod MR.2 and navy helicopters.
Stonefish: British naval mine used by Nimrod MR.2 only.
Storm Shadow: Anglo-French air launched cruise missile with 162 nm range and 700 knots terminal attack speed. Was scheduled to enter service in early 2000’s but production rushed for T2K.
TIALD: British thermal imaging airborne laser designator pod deployed on Tornado GR.4.
WE 177A: British variable 5-20kt nuclear fission depth charge/bomb used by naval helicopters and the RAF Nimrod MR.2s.
WE 177B: British 450kt thermonuclear bomb. Decommissioned before the war but a few may have been recommissioned and carried by RAF Tornado GR.4.
WE 177C: British 200kt thermonuclear bomb. Used by RAF Tornado GR.1/4s and Buccaneers and the navy Sea Harrier.

ROYAL AIR FORCE

RAF aircraft strength
005: Bae 146 (5 requisitioned in 1997)
015: Bae Domino T.1 (15 training and storage)
018: Bell 412 (18 requisitioned in 1997)
008. Boeing 747F (8 requisitioned in 1997)
006: Boeing model 234 Chinook (6 requisitioned in 1997)
049: Buccaneer S.2B (17 in storage)
005: Canberra PR.9
012: Canberra T.4/12 (12 training and storage)
006. Canberra T.17 (6 training)
045: Chinook (8 training and reserve) (+ 12 delivered from US Army stocks in 1997)
048: Falcon F.1 (Delivered from USAF stocks in 1996-97)
030. Gazelle HT.3 (24 training and storage)
029: Harrier GR.5 (29 in storage)
064: Harrier GR.7
024: Harrier GR.9 (8 built in 1997)
016. Harrier T.10/12 (16 training)
070: Hawk T.1: (70 training and storage)
090: Hawk T.1A: (30 training and storage)
024: Hercules C.1 (11 training and storage)
006: Hercules C.1K
030: Hercules C.3
006: Hercules C.4 (6 delivered from US in 1997)
003: Hercules C.5 (3 delivered from US in 1997)
016: Jaguar GR.1 (16 in storage)
096: Jaguar GR.3 (16 in storage)
024: Jaguar T.4 (24 training)
016: Jet Provost (16 training and storage)
011: Jet Stream T.1 (11 training)
006: Merlin HC.3 (6 built in 1997)
036. Nimrod MR.2 (3 training)
003. Nimrod R.1
036: Phantom FGR.2 (36 in storage)
041: Puma (7 training)
009: SA 330 Puma (9 requisitioned in 1997)
023: Sea King HAR.3 (3 training)
007: Sentry AEW.1 (1 storage)
012: Shorts 330 (12x requisitioned in 1997)
028: Spitfire FGR.1 (16 built in 1997)
134: Tornado F.3
024: Tornado GR.1 (24 training and storage)
032: Tornado GR.1B
084: Tornado GR.4
036: Tornado GR.4A
003: TriStar C.2
006: TriStar K.1/KC.1
094: Tucano T.1 (94 training and storage)
042. Wessex HC.2 (12 training and storage)
023: VC-10 (5 in storage)

EUROPE
RAF forces in Europe were centered on RAF Germany which was part of NATO’s 2nd ATAF (Second Allied Tactical Airforce), with 15 RAF squadrons based at four British air bases in West Germany before the war. In 1996 RAF Phantom FGR.2 squadrons were replaced by modern F-16s purchased from the US, which was part of a emergency buildup of British military capabilities leading up to the war. From late 1996 a total of 14 RAF squadrons were deployed from the UK to reinforce NATO air forces in Germany, with another 6 squadrons and 4 flights going to Norway, and another squadron sent to Denmark. This was the largest deployment of British air power since the Second World War, and RAF units were heavily engaged against Warsaw Pact forces throughout the period of the war.

RAF combat forces in Germany were largely Falcon F.1, Harrier GR.7 and Tornado GR.4 units, which were heavily engaged against Warsaw Pact opponents. Tornado F.3, Spitfires, Hawks and other aircraft were later deployed to bolster NATO airpower in Central Europe. RAF losses and attrition rates were very high, and Soviet nuclear strikes against British air bases at Bruggen, Gutersloh, Laarbuch and Wildenrath in October 1997 decimated units stationed there. However many units had dispersed prior to the nuclear attack and the RAF remained a cohesive force into 1998. Harrier and helicopter units had also long dispersed from their air bases following the path of British ground forces, and some Harriers were even seen operating from Poland in 1997. RAF units in Norway survived in better shape, but also suffered from high casualty and attrition rates. By 2000 the majority of surviving RAF aircraft had been withdrawn to the UK and the scarcity of avgas had severely curtailed air operations. RAF units based in Europe are now a few Harrier and Hawk jets and a half dozen transport helicopters.

RAF Germany (HQ: Rheindahlen, Germany)
No. II (AC) Squadron (12x Tornado GR.4A): Laarbruch, Germany
No. 3 Squadron (16x Harrier GR.7): Gutersloh, Germany
No. 4 Squadron (16x Harrier GR.7): Gutersloh, Germany
No. IX Squadron (12x Tornado GR.4): Bruggen, Germany
No. 14 Squadron (12x Tornado GR.4): Bruggen, Germany
No. XV Squadron (12x Tornado GR.4): Laarbruch, Germany
No. 16 Squadron (12x Tornado GR.4): Laarbruch, Germany
No. 17 Squadron (12x Tornado GR.4): Bruggen, Germany
No. 18 Squadron (18x Chinook): Gutersloh, Germany
No. 19 Squadron (12x Falcon F.1): Wildenrath, Germany
No. 20 Squadron (12x Tornado GR.4): Laarbruch, Germany
No. 31 Squadron (12x Tornado GR.4): Bruggen, Germany
No. 60 Squadron (9x Wessex HC.2): Bruggen, Germany
No. 92 Squadron (12x Falcon F.1): Wildenrath, Germany
No. 230 Squadron (16x Puma): Wildenrath, Germany
No. 431 MU: Bruggen, Germany

United Kingdom

Strike Command: HQ: High Wycombe
Strike Command controlled all UK based air assets and was essentially the principle authority for all RAF units. Strike Command was organized into three active air groups (No. 1, 11 and 18), and also controlled support command, the Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve, and Royal Auxiliary Air Force.

No. 1 Group controlled all UK based Harrier, Jaguar and Tornado GR.4 squadrons, and most of the RAF’s transport, tanker and helicopter assets. Nearly all combat squadrons were sent to Europe, the Middle East and elsewhere to reinforce British and other NATO forces, leaving a just transport, tanker and OCU operated combat aircraft in Britain by the mid-1997. Following over a year of heavy aerial combat and nuclear conflict in Europe, most surviving combat aircraft attached to No. 1 Group were withdrawn from Germany and Norway in 1998 along with some survivors from RAF Germany, although a significant air contingent was still based in the Middle East in 2000. Transport and tanker assets were less affected by losses in the war as they rarely were deployed to the front lines, although many were grounded due to heavy attrition and a scarcity of parts. A few dozen surviving support aircraft are dispersed throughout the UK.

No. 11 Group controlled Britain’s air defences through fighter-interceptor and early warning aircraft. In 1997 the US Army placed 18 Patriot SAM launchers under RAF control to help protect British and USAF assets in the UK. Until mid-1997 No. 11 Group was largely concerned with defending the UK from Soviet bombers, and Tornado F.3’s severely disrupted and inflicted major casualties on Soviet bomber penetrations from the Arctic across the North Sea and the Scandinavian Peninsula. Following heavy losses among the RAF’s Falcon units in Europe, No. 11 Groups fighter assets were increasingly called upon to reinforce air forces in Europe. Eight Tornado F.3 squadrons and two squadron and a flight of the new Spitfires were sent to Germany and Scandinavia in 1997, along with two Hawk equipped TWUs, while a Tornado F.3 squadron was also sent to Bahrain. Phantom FGR.2s were also brought out of storage to reinforce Britain’s air defences, with some eventually ending up in Cyprus, Gibraltar and Hong Kong. In 1998 all surviving Tornado’s and Spitfire’s were withdrawn to the UK, leaving just a force of a few Hawk’s in Germany by 2000.

No. 18 Group was concerned with the maritime defence of the UK, and supporting the Royal Navy and NATO naval forces in the Atlantic. No. 18 Groups Buccaneer S.2Bs and Tornado GR.1Bs were heavily used in anti-shipping strikes on Soviet surface naval groups trying to penetrate the GIUK gap from the Norwegian Sea and North Atlantic, and also in the Baltic. Nimrod MR.2s played an important role in hunting down Soviet nuclear submarines, working closely with ships and aircraft of the Royal Navy and the US Atlantic Fleet. No. 18 Groups Nimrod R.1s and Canberra’s also assisted NATO intelligence gathering operations, while SAR helicopter units worked closely with the Royal Navy. In 1997 Buccaneer and Tornado squadrons were sent to Norway to strike Soviet naval forces assisting in the invasion of Norway. Losses among the Buccaneer and Tornado squadrons were very high, and by 2000 only a few Tornado and none of the Buccaneers survive. About a dozen maritime patrol and intelligence gathering aircraft also survive, while the helicopters have been integrated into the Royal Navy or other RAF units.

No. 1 Group (HQ: High Wycombe, England)
No. 1 Squadron (16x Harrier GR.9): Wittering, England (* Assigned to HMS Ark Royal, Atlantic Fleet in late 1996)
No. 6 Squadron (16x Jaguar GR.3): Coltishall, England (* Relocated to Norway in 1997)
No. 7 Squadron (18x Chinook): Odiham, England (* Relocated to Germany in late 1996)
No. 10 Squadron (12x VC-10): Brize Norton, England
No. 24 Squadron (12x Hercules C.3): Lyneham, England
No. 27 Squadron (12x Tornado GR.4A): Marham, England (* Relocated to Bahrain in 1997)
No. 30 Squadron (12x Hercules C.3): Lyneham, England
No. 32 Squadron (12x Dominie, 6x Gazelle HT.3): Northolt, England
No. 33 Squadron (18x Puma): Odiham, England (* Relocated to Germany in late 1996)
No. 41 Squadron (16x Jaguar GR.3): Coltishall, England
No. 47 Squadron (6x Hercules C.3, 5x Hercules C.1K): Lyneham, England (* Relocated to Oman in 1997)
No. 54 Squadron (16x Jaguar GR.3): Coltishall, England (* Relocated to Norway in 1997)
No. 55 Squadron (8x TriStar): Brize Norton, England
No. 70 Squadron (12x Hercules C.1): Lyneham, England
No. 72 Squadron (9x Wessex HC.2): Aldergrove, Northern Ireland
No. 99 Squadron (3x Hercules C.5, 6x Hercules C.4): Brize Norton, England
No. 101 Squadron (6x VC-10): Brize Norton, England (* Relocated to Bahrain in 1997)
No. 105 Squadron (16x Harrier GR.7): Wittering, England (* Relocated to Germany in 1996)
No. 169 Squadron (16x Harrier GR.7): Wittering, England (* Relocated to Germany in 1997)
No. 617 Squadron (12x Tornado GR.4A): Marham, England (* Relocated to Germany in 1997)
No. 1417 Flight (5x Harrier GR.5): Wittering, England (* Formed from 233 OCU and relocated to Hong Kong in 1997)
No. 1451 Flight (4x Harrier GR.5): Wittering, England (* Formed from 233 OCU and relocated to Norway in 1997)
No. 1452 Flight (4x Harrier GR.5): Wittering, England (* Formed from 233 OCU and relocated to Norway in 1997)
No. 1455 Flight (4x Jaguar GR.3): Coltishall, England (* Formed from 226 OCU and relocated to Oman in 1997)
No. 1456 Flight (4x Harrier GR.5): Wittering, England (* Formed from 233 OCU and relocated to Norway in 1997)
No. 1568 Flight (4x Chinook): Odiham, England (* Formed from No. 240 OCU and relocated to Oman in 1997)
No. 1569 Flight (4x Merlin HC.3): Odiham, England (* Formed from No. 240 OCU)
226 OCU (16x Jaguar GR.3): Coltishall, England
233 OCU (29x Harrier GR.5, 15x Harrier T.10/12): Wittering, England
240 OCU (18x Chinook, 6x Merlin HC.3, 7x Puma): Odiham, England
241 OCU (1x TriStar, 5x VC-10, 3x Bae 146): Benson, England
242 OCU (11x Hercules C.1): Lyneham, England
TTTE (19x Tornado GR.1): Cottesmore, England
TWU: (4x Tornado GR.1): Honington, England

No. 11 Group (HQ: Stanmore, England)
No. 5 Squadron (12x Tornado F.3): Coningsby, England (* Relocated to Germany in 1997)
No. 8 Squadron (6x Sentry): Waddington, England
No. 11 Squadron (12x Tornado F.3): Leeming, England (* Relocated to Germany in 1997)
No. 23 Squadron (12x Tornado F.3): Leeming, England (* Relocated to Germany in 1997)
No. 25 Squadron (12x Tornado F.3): Leeming, England
No. 29 Squadron (12x Tornado F.3): Coningsby, England (* Relocated to Denmark in 1997)
No. 43 Squadron (12x Tornado F.3): Leuchars, Scotland (* Relocated to Norway in 1997)
No. 56 Squadron (12x Falcon F.1): Wattisham, England (* Relocated to Germany in 1996)
No. 58 Squadron (12x Spitfire FGR.1): Coningsby, England (* Formed form 229 OCU) (* Relocated to Germany in 1997)
No. 63 Squadron (12x Hawk T.1A): Chivenor, England
No. 64 Squadron (12x Tornado F.3): Leuchars, Scotland (* Relocated to Germany in 1997)
No. 65 Squadron (12x Tornado F.3): Coningsby, England (* Relocated to Bahrain in 1997)
No. 74 Squadron (12x Tornado F.3): Wattisham, England
No. 79 Squadron (12x Hawk T.1A): Brawdy, Wales
No. 85 Squadron: (18x Patriot PAC-2/PAC-2 GEM SAM) West Raynham, England (* Dispersed) (* Supplied from US Army)
No. 100 Squadron (12x Hawk T.1A): Leeming, England
No. 111 Squadron (12x Tornado F.3): Leuchars, Scotland (* Relocated to Norway in 1997)
No. 151 Squadron (12x Hawk T.1A): Chivenor, England
No. 234 Squadron (12x Hawk) T.1A: Brawdy, Wales
No. 618 Squadron (12x Spitfire FGR.1): Goose Bay, Canada (* Relocated to Germany in 1997)
No. 1115 Flight (4x Phantom FGR.2): Coningsby, England (* Formed from 229 OCU and relocated to Hong Kong in 1997)
No. 1419 Flight (4x Phantom FGR.2): Coningsby, England (* Formed from 229 OCU and relocated to Gibraltar in 1997)
No. 1422 Flight (4x Spitfire FGR.1): Coningsby, England (* Formed from 229 OCU)
No. 1453 Flight (4x Spitfire FGR.1): Coningsby, England (* Formed from 229 OCU and relocated to Norway in 1997)
No. 1457 Flight (4x Phantom FGR.2): Leuchars, Scotland (* Formed from 229 OCU)
No. 1458 Flight (4x Phantom FGR.2): Leuchars, Scotland (* Formed from 229 OCU)
No. 1459 Flight (4x Phantom FGR.2): Coningsby, England (* Formed from 229 OCU)
No. 1563 Flight (4x Phantom FGR.2): Coningsby, England (* Formed from 229 OCU and relocated to Cyprus in 1997)
228 OCU (12x Falcon F.1): Wattisham, England
229 OCU (10x Tornado F.3): Coningsby, England
No. 1 TWU (12x Hawk T.1A): Brawdy, Wales (* Relocated to Germany in 1997)
No. 2 TWU (12x Hawk T.1A): Chivenor, England (* Relocated to Germany in 1998)

No. 18 Group (HQ: Northwood, England)
No. 12 Squadron (16x Buccaneer S.2B): Lossiemouth, Scotland (* Relocated to Norway in 1997)
No. 13 Squadron (16x Tornado GR.1B): Lossiemouth, Scotland
No. 22 Squadron (9x Sea King HAR.3): Finningley, England (* Dispersed)
No. 39 Squadron (5x Canberra PR.9): Wyton, England
No. 42 Squadron (9x Nimrod MR.2): St. Mawgan, England
No. 45 Squadron (16x Tornado GR.1B): Lossiemouth, Scotland (* Relocated to Norway in 1997)
No. 51 Squadron (3x Nimrod R.1): Waddington, England
No. 120 Squadron (9x Nimrod MR.2): Kinloss, Scotland
No. 201 Squadron (6x Nimrod MR.2): Kinloss, Scotland (* Relocated to Northern Ireland in 1997)
No. 202 Squadron (9x Sea King HAR.3): Finningley, England (* Dispersed)
No. 206 Squadron (6x Nimrod MR.2): Kinloss, Scotland
No. 208 Squadron (16x Buccaneer S.2B): Lossiemouth, Scotland
No. 360 Squadron (6x Canberra T.17): Wyton, England
No. 1454 Flight (3x Nimrod MR.2): Goose Bay, Canada (* Formed from No. 201 Squadron and sent to Canada in 1997)
231 OCU (12x Canberra T.4/12): Wyton, England
236 OCU (3x Nimrod MR.2): St. Mawgan, England
237 OCU (16x Buccaneer S.2B): Lossiemouth, Scotland
AWC: Waddington, England
SARTS (3x Sea King HAR.3, 6x Wessex HC.2): Valley, Wales

Royal Air Force Support Command (HQ: High Wycombe, England)
No. 1 FTS (20x Tucanos): Linton-on-Ouse, England
No. 2 FTS (8x Gazelle HT.3, 3x Wessex HC.2): Shawbury, England
No. 3 FTS (20x Tucanos): Leeming, England
No. 4 FTS (20x Hawk T.1): Valley, Wales
No. 6 FTS (12x Dominie T.1, 11x Jetstream, 6x Jet Provost, 6x Tucanos): Finningley, England
No. 7 FTS (20x Tucanos): Church Fenton, England
No. 1 MS: Abingdon, England
No. 2 MS: Abingdon, England (* Relocated to Germany in 1997)
No. 7 MU: Quedgeley, England (* Relocated to Bahrain in 1997)
No. 11 MU: Chilmark, England
No. 14 MU: Carlisle, England (* Relocated to Norway in 1997)
No. 16 MU: Stafford, England
No. 25 MU: Hartlebury, England
No. 30 MU: Sealand, England
No. 231 MU: Cardington, England
No. 4 STT: St Athan, Wales
CFS (6x Hawk T.1A): Scampton, England

Middle East & Mediterranean
With tension building in the Middle East the British government dispatched an RAF force to Oman to help stabilise the region, as well as maintaining a small air presence in Cyprus. As the political situation deteriorated after war broke out in Europe, more RAF units were sent in 1997 to bolster other allied forces and friendly governments. Combat and air support units from No. 27, 47, 65, 101 squadrons and No. 1455 and 1568 flights were sent to Bahrain and Oman, with some units also later deploying to Iran. No. 1419 and 1563 flights were also sent to Cyprus and Gibraltar to increase Britain’s military presence in the Mediterranean. Despite being heavily involved in air operations since the beginning of 1997, the wider availability of oil has allowed a sizeable RAF force to remain active in the region.

No. 21 Squadron (16x Jaguar GR.3): Thumrait, Oman (* Relocated to Bahrain in 1997)
No. 35 Squadron (16x Jaguar GR.3): Thumrait, Oman (* Relocated to Bahrain in 1997)
No. 78 Squadron (7x Puma): Thumrait, Oman (* Relocated to Iran in 1997)
No. 84 Squadron (6x Wessex HC.2): Akrotiri, Cyprus

Far East
The RAF force in the Far East was initially just an army support unit equipped with older Wessex helicopters. As Britain built ups its military presence in Asia following the activation of the British Army’s 6th Infantry Division, the Wessex squadron was combined with Army Air Corp units in the region, while Harrier GR.5s and Phantom FGR.2s were sent with 1115 and 1417 flights to Hong Kong. Following the nuclear exchanges only a few Phantoms and helicopters survive into 2000.

No. 28 Squadron (6x Wessex HC.2): Sek Kong, Hong Kong

South Atlantic
The RAF maintained a small but robust force in the Falklands which was maintained along with other British forces throughout the war. The presence of RAF Tornado F.3 interceptors was the principle guarantor against Argentine invasion of the island, successfully defeating a number of Argentine air sorties against British forces. One Tornado was lost in action and another is being used for parts, but the other aircraft remain operational although limited avgas has severely restricted their use.

No. 1312 Flight (1x Hercules C.1, 1x Hercules C.1K): Mount Pleasant, Falkland Islands
No. 1435 Flight (4x Tornado F.2): Mount Pleasant, Falkland Islands
No. 1564 Flight (1x Chinook, 2x Sea King HAR.3): Mount Pleasant, Falkland Islands

Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve
The Reserve was activated in late 1996 and provided trained aircrews and technical personnel to other RAF units, as well as flight instructors and various administration staff for the RAF command structure.

7006 Intelligence Squadron: Waddington, England
7010 Photographic Interpretation Squadron, Waddington, England
7630 Intelligence Squadron: Waddington, England
7644 Media Operations Squadron: Halton, England
No. 1359 Flight: Lyneham, England
Mobile Met Unit: Benson, England
TSS: Shawbury, England

Royal Auxiliary Air Force
The British government reactivated the Royal Auxiliary Air Force in 1997 by requisitioning commercial air transports, primarily short haul STOL transports, helicopters, and large freight aircraft. Squadrons were mainly used for internal communications in the UK and supplying land forces in central Europe. The sizeable North Sea helicopter fleet proved particularly useful as it freed up No.1 Group’s helicopter resources for deployment to Europe, and some helicopters were assigned to support roles on the continent and supported the Army Air Corps. The long ranged cargo fleet were centred on 8 Boeing 747Fs which were initially based in London’s airports, but were later integrated into the RAF transport fleet and moved to Brize Norton. Royal Auxiliary Air Force squadrons directly reported to No.1 Group.

No. 601 Squadron (6x Shorts 330): Aldergrove, Northern Ireland
No. 602 Squadron (9x SA 330 Puma): Aberdeen IAP, Scotland (* Some aircraft sent to Germany in 1997)
No. 603 Squadron (5x Bae 146): Northolt, England
No. 605 Squadron (6x Bell 412): Oxford AP, England
No. 606 Squadron (12x Bell 412): Newcastle IAP, England (* Some aircraft sent to Germany in 1997)
No. 607 Squadron (8x Model 234 Chinook): Newcastle IAP, England (* Some aircraft sent to Germany in 1997)
No. 609 Squadron (6x Shorts 330): Leeming, England
No. 610 Squadron (8x Boeing 747F): Brize Norton, England
No. 4624 Operational Support Squadron: Brize Norton, England
No. 4626 Aeromedical Evacuation Squadron: Lyneham, England
No. 7010 Squadron: Waddington, England

Royal Air Force Regiment
Air Defence
No. 16 Squadron, RAF Regiment (8x Rapier): Wildenrath, Germany
No. 19 Squadron, RAF Regiment (8x Rapier): Brize Norton, England (* Dispersed)
No. 20 Squadron, RAF Regiment (8x Rapier): Honington, England (* Dispersed)
No. 26 Squadron, RAF Regiment (8x Rapier): Laarbruch, Germany
No. 27 Squadron, RAF Regiment (8x Rapier): Leuchars, Scotland (* Dispersed)
No. 37 Squadron, RAF Regiment (8x Rapier): Bruggen, Germany
No. 40 Squadron, RAF Regiment (8x Rapier): Honington, England (* Deployed to Bahrain in 1997)
No. 48 Squadron, RAF Regiment (8x Rapier): Lossiemouth, Scotland (* Deployed to Germany in 1997)
No. 63 Squadron, RAF Regiment (8x Rapier): Gutersloh, Germany
No. 66 Squadron, RAF Regiment (8x Rapier): West Raynham, England (* Dispersed)
Field
No. 1 Squadron, RAF Regiment (6x Scorpion, 15x Spartan, 1x Sultan): Laarbruch, Germany
No. 2 Squadron, RAF Regiment (6x Scorpion, 10x Spartan, Land Rovers): Honington, England (* Deployed to Germany in 1997)
No. 3 Squadron, RAF Regiment (Land Rovers): Aldergrove, Northern Ireland
No. 15 Squadron, RAF Regiment (6x Scorpion, 15x Spartan, 1x Sultan): Honington, England (* Deployed to Germany in 1997)
No. 34 Squadron, RAF Regiment (6x Scorpion, 15x Spartan, 1x Sultan): Akrotiri, Cyprus
No. 51 Squadron, RAF Regiment (6x Scorpion, 15x Spartan, 1x Sultan): Bruggen, Germany
No. 58 Squadron, RAF Regiment (6x Scorpion, 15x Spartan, 1x Sultan): Catterick, England (* Deployed to Norway in 1997)
Royal Auxiliary Air Force Regiment
No. 2503 Squadron (Land Rovers): Scampton, England (* Dispersed)
No. 2620 Squadron (Land Rovers): Marham, England (* Deployed to Bahrain in 1997)
No. 2622 Squadron (Land Rovers): Lossiemouth, Scotland
No. 2623 Squadron (Land Rovers): Honington, England (* Deployed to Germany in 1997)
No. 2624 Squadron (Land Rovers): Brize Norton, England (* Dispersed)
No. 2625 Squadron (Land Rovers): St Mawgan, England (* Dispersed)
No. 2623 Squadron (4x Rapier, Land Rovers): Honington, England (* Deployed to Falkland Islands in 1997)
No. 2729 Squadron (12x 2x35mm AA): Waddington, England (* Dispersed)
No. 2890 Squadron (6x 2x35mm AA): Waddington, England (* Deployed to Oman in 1997)

ROYAL NAVY FLEET AIR ARM

The Fleet Air Arm provided naval aircraft for British warships, and land based aircraft for anti-submarine and SAR operations. At the start of the war three Sea Harrier squadrons (800, 801, 809) were deployed from the aircraft carriers, which were joined in 1997 by the training squadron (899) and the Harrier GR.9s of No.1 Squadron RAF. Most anti-ship/anti-submarine helicopters squadrons were deployed on destroyers, frigates and from the carriers were they saw a lot of action in the Atlantic and in other locations. No. 847 Squadron supported the Royal Marines and was sent to Norway in 1997, while the helicopters of No. 707, 845 & 846 squadrons were used to support the marines and army in Norway and later the Middle East. As the war progressed aircraft from land based squadrons and the OCU’s were increasingly used to reinforce and replace losses in the naval squadrons. The Royal Navy suffered heavy losses during the Twilight War, losing two carriers and many escorts. But in 2000 it still remained a powerful force and over 30% of the aircraft fleet survived. Depending on the availability of aviation fuel, Fleet Air Arm aircraft are used on operational warships and land bases in the UK and abroad.

Royal Navy and Marines aircraft strength
003: Canberra T.12 (3 training)
021: Falcon 20 (3 in storage)
006: Gazelle AH.1 (Royal Marines only)
015: Gazelle HT.2 (15 training)
004: Harrier T.4 (4 training)
012: Hunter GA.11/T.B (12 training)
006: Lynx AH-7 (Royal Marines only)
068: Lynx HAS.2/3 (8 training and storage)
015: Merlin HM.1 (9 built in 1997)
051: Sea Harrier FA.2 (15 training and storage)
010: Sea King AEW.2A (1 in storage)
048: Sea King HAS.5 (12 training and storage)
042: Sea King HAS.6 (12 training and storage)
032: Sea King HC.4

No. 702 Squadron (12x Lynx HAS.3): Portland, England (* Assigned to frigates and destroyers)
No. 707 Squadron (8x Sea King HC.4): Yeoviltan, England (* Deployed to Oman in 1997)
No. 750 Squadron (19x Jetstream T.2/3): Roborough, England
No. 771 Squadron (12x Sea King HAS.5): Culdrose, England
No. 772 Squadron (12x Sea King HAS.5): Portland, England
No. 800 Squadron (12 Sea Harrier FA.2): Yeovilton, England (* Assigned to HMS Illustrious, Atlantic Fleet)
No. 801 Squadron (12x Sea Harrier FA 2): Yeovilton, England (* Assigned to HMS Invincible, Atlantic Fleet)
No. 809 Squadron (12x Sea Harrier FA 2): Yeovilton, England (* Assigned to HMS Ark Royal, Atlantic Fleet)
No. 810 Squadron (6x Sea King HAS.6): Culdrose, England
No. 814 Squadron (6x Merlin HM.1): Culdrose, England (* Assigned to carriers)
No. 815 Squadron (12x Lynx HAS.3): Portland, England (* Assigned to frigates and destroyers)
N0. 816 Squadron (6x Sea King HAS.6): Culdrose, England (* Assigned to carriers)
No. 819 Squadron 6x Sea King HAS.6): Culdrose, England (* Assigned to carriers)
No. 820 Squadron (6x Sea King HAS.6): Culdrose, England (* Assigned to carriers)
No. 821 Squadron (12x Lynx HAS.2): Portland, England (* Assigned to frigates and destroyers)
No. 824 Squadron (12x Sea King HAS.5): Portland, England
No. 825 Squadron (12x Lynx HAS.3): Portland, England (* Assigned to frigates and destroyers)
No. 826 Squadron (6x Sea King HAS.6): Culdrose, England
No. 829 Squadron (12x Lynx HAS.3): Portland, England (* Assigned to frigates and destroyers
No. 845 Squadron (12x Sea King HC.4): Yeoviltan, England (* Assigned to HMS Ocean, Atlantic Fleet)
No. 846 Squadron (12x Sea King HC.4): Yeoviltan, England (* Deployed to Norway in 1997)
No. 847 Squadron (6x Lynx AH.7, 6x Gazelle AH.1): Yeoviltan, England (* Deployed to Norway in 1997 with Royal Marines)
No. 849 Squadron (9x Sea King AEW.2A): Culdrose, England (* Assigned to carriers)
No. 899 Squadron (15x Sea Harrier FA.2, 4x Harrier T4.N): Yeovilton, England (* Assigned to carriers in 1997)
No. 700 OCU (9x Lynx HAS.2/3): Yeovilton, England (* Assigned to frigates and destroyers)
No. 705 OCU (15x Gazelle HT.2): Culdrose, England
No. 706 OCU (1x Sea King AEW.1, 12x Sea King HAS.5, 18x Sea King HAS.6): Culdrose, England
FRADU (3x Canberra T.12, 12x Hunter GA.11/T.B, 15x Falcon 20, 15x Jetstream T.2/3): Yeovilton, England

ARMY AIR CORPS

The AAC accompanied the main ground force of the British Army before the war. All of its air regiments were located in the UK and Germany, with a scattering of squadrons and flights located in other areas of British interest. As the war progressed new squadrons and flights were created from aircraft taken out of storage or requisitioned and assigned to the training establishments of 2nd and 9th AAC Regiments. Some newly formed units were sent to the main front in Germany, but others were also despatched to Norway, the Middle East and elsewhere. Before the war the new Apache AH.1 was planned to replace or supplement the Lynx AH.7 as the British Army’s main attack helicopter, but the war disrupted production and barely more than a dozen were built. The AAC was heavily committed to supporting British and other NATO forces in Europe, and losses and attrition was very high. The destruction of Britain’s helicopter plant at Yeovil also effected replacement and part production, and depending on the location about 10% to 30% of the pre-war fleet is operational.

Army aircraft strength
004: A-109A
016: Apache AH.1 (10 built in 1997)
018: Bell 212 (15 purchased in 1997)
160. Gazelle AH.1 (82 training and storage)
009. Islander AL.1
118: Lynx AH.7 (10 in storage)
022: Lynx AH.9 (10 built in 1997)
003: Scout AH.1.
003: UH-1N

1st Regiment AAC (24x Lynx AH.7, 12x Gazelle AH.1): Hildesheim, Germany
2nd Regiment, AAC (30x Gazelle AH.1): Middle Wallop, England
3rd Regiment AAC (24x Lynx AH.7, 12x Gazelle AH.1): Soest, Germany
4th Regiment AAC (24x Lynx AH.7, 12x Gazelle AH.1): Detmold, Germany
5th Regiment AAC (6x Lynx AH.7, 12x Gazelle AH.1): Aldergrove, Northern Ireland
7th Regiment AAC (6x Apache AH.1, 12x Lynx AH.7, 12x Gazelle AH.1): Netheravon, England (* Deployed to Germany in 1997)
9th Regiment AAC (12x Lynx AH.7, 12x Lynx AH.9, 6x Gazelle AH.1): Dishforth, England
655 Squadron, AAC (6x Lynx AH.7): Ballykelly, Northern Ireland
660 Squadron, AAC (3x Bell 212, 3x Scout AH.1): Sek Kong, Hong Kong
664 Squadron, AAC (6x Gazelle AH-1): Minden, Germany
667 Squadron, AAC (6x Apache AH.1): Netheravon, England (* Deployed to Germany in 1997)
676 Squadron, AAC (6x Lynx AH.7): Netheravon, England (* Deployed to Iran in 1997)
677 Squadron, AAC (6x Bell 212): Middle Wallop, England (* Deployed to Iran in 1997)
678 Squadron, AAC (6x Bell 212): Middle Wallop, England (* Deployed to Iran in 1997)
1 Flight, AAC (5x Islander AL-1): Aldergrove, Northern Ireland
2 Flight, AAC (4x Apache AH.1): Netheravon, England (* Deployed to Germany in 1997)
3 Flight, AAC (3x Gazelle AH.1): Leuchars, Scotland
4 Flight, AAC (4x Apache AH.1): Netheravon, England (* Deployed to Germany in 1997)
5 Flight, AAC (4x Lynx AH.7): Netheravon, England (* Deployed to Norway in 1997)
6 Flight, AAC (3x Gazelle AH.1): Shawbury, England
7 Flight, AAC (3x Gazelle AH.1): Berlin, Germany
8 Flight, AAC (4x A-109A): Hereford, England (* Deployed to Germany in 1997)
9 Flight, AAC (3x Gazelle): Middle Wallop, England
10 Flight, AAC (3x Gazelle AH.1): Middle Wallop, England (* Deployed to Oman in 1997)
11 Flight, AAC (3x Gazelle AH.1): Middle Wallop, England (* Deployed to Iran in 1997)
12 Flight, AAC (3x Gazelle AH.1): Wildenrath, Germany
13 Flight, AAC (4x Islander AL-1): Middle Wallop, England
14 Flight, AAC (3x Gazelle AH.1): Middle Wallop, England (* Deployed to Norway in 1997)
15 Flight, AAC (3x UH-1N): Brunei
16 Flight, AAC (3x Gazelle AH.1): Dhekelia, Cyprus
25 Flight, AAC (3x Bell 212): Belmopan, Belize
29 Flight, AAC (3x Gazelle AH.1): Suffield AB, Canada

BRITISH GOVERNMENT AGENCIES

Government agencies aircraft strength
001: Apache AH.1
001: A-109A
001: Bae 146
004: Beech Super King Air 200
001: DHC-7
004: DHC-4
002: Do-228
002: Dominie T.1
001: Cessna 337
009: Cessna F406
001: Chinook
004: Gazelle HT.3
004: Harrier GR.7/T.4
007: Hawk T.1
010: Islander BN.2
002: Islander C.2
003: Lynx AH.7
001. Lynx HAS.3
002: Jaguar T.2
001: Merlin HC.3
001: Piper Navaho Chieftain
002: Sea King HC.4
010: Sikorsky S-61
003. Sikorsky S-70A
006: Sikorsky S-76
004: Slingsby T-67-200
001: Tornado F.2
001: Tornado GR.4
002: Tucano T.1
086: * Various light utility helicopters

COAST GUARD & FISHERIES PATROL
Channel Navigation Information Service (1x Islander C.2): Lydd, England
Counter Pollution (3x Cessna F406): Coventry AP, England
Fisheries Patrol (2x Cessna F406, 2x Do-228, 1x Islander C.2): Southend, England
Pollution Control North (1x Cessna F406): Inverness IAP, Scotland
Pollution Control South (1x Cessna F406)): Coventry AP, England
SAR English South Coast 1 (2x Sikorsky S-61): Southampton, England
SAR English South Coast 2 (2x Sikorsky S-61): Plymouth, England
SAR Scottish West Coast (2x Sikorsky S-61): Stornoway AP, Outer Hebrides
SAR Shetland Islands (2x Sikorsky S-61): Sumburgh, Shetland Islands
Scottish Fisheries Patrol (2x Cessna F406): Inverness IAP, Scotland

TEST & EVALUATION
DCAE: Cosford, England
DTEO (1x Tornado F.2, 1x Tornado GR.4, 4x Harrier GR.7/T.4, 2x Jaguar T.2, 7x Hawk T.1, 2x Dominie T.1): Boscombe Down, England
ETPS (2x Tucano T.1, 1x Apache AH.1, 1x A-109A, 1x Chinook, 3x Gazelle HT.3, 3x Lynx AH.7, 1x Lynx HAS.3, 1x Merlin HC.3, 2x Sea King HC.4): Boscombe Down, England
MRF (1x BAe 146): Boscombe Down, England
RAE: Farnborough, England
RAFC: Cranwell, England

MEDICAL AVIATION
England: 2x Beech Super King Air 200, 26x Light Utility Helicopters
Scotland: 2x Beech Super King Air 200, 2x Light Utility Helicopters
Wales: 3x Light Utility Helicopters
Northern Ireland: 1x Light Utility Helicopter
Isle of Man: 1x Piper Navaho Chieftain, 1x Light Utility Helicopter

POLICE AVIATION
England: 4x Islander BN-2, 1x Cessna 337, 44x Light Utility Helicopters
Scotland: 3x Light Utility Helicopters
Wales: 6x Light Utility Helicopters
Northern Ireland: 1x Islander BN-2

FIRE SERVICE
England: 2x Light Utility Helicopters

OTHER
British Antarctic Survey (1x DHC-7, 4x DHC-6): Mount Pleasant, Falkland Islands
Falkland Island Government Service (5x Islander BN.2, 2x Sikorsky S-61): Port Stanley AP, Falkland Islands
Hong Kong Government Flying Service (2x Super King Air 200, 4x T-67-200, 6x Sikorsky S-76, 3x S-70A): Hong Kong IAP, Hong Kong

USAF

US Air Force Europe
193rd Special Operations Wing (8x EC-130E, 7x HC-130P, 13x MH-53J): Woodbridge, England
3rd Air Force (HQ: Mildenhall, England)
20th Tactical Fighter Wing (72x F-111E): Mildenhall, England
33rd Tactical Fighter Wing (72x F-15C): Coltishall, England
48th Tactical Fighter Wing (72x F-111F): Lakenheath, England
132nd Tactical Fighter Wing (45x A-7D, 3x A-7K): Molesworth, England
174th Tactical Fighter Wing (24x A-16): Marham, England
183rd Tactical Fighter Wing (48x F-16A): Greenham Common, England
366th Tactical Fighter Wing (48x F-111G, 24x EF-111A): Scunthorpe, England
474th Tactical Fighter Wing (72x F-16C): Wethersfield, England
67th Tactical Reconnaissance Wing (54x RF-16C): Waddington, England
513th Airborne Command & Control Wing (4x EC-135H, 1x WC-135): Mildenhall, England
303rd Tactical Missile Wing (64x BGM-109G ALCM): Molesworth, England
501st Tactical Missile Wing (96x BGM-109G ALCM): Greenham Common, England
4th Air Force (HQ: Fairford, England)
94th Tactical Airlift Wing (27x C-130H): Boscombe Down, England
171st Aerial Refuelling Wing (20x KC-135E): Fairford, England
434th Aerial Refuelling Wing (17x KC-10B): Kinloss, Scotland
67th Military Airlift Squadron (20x C-23): Mildenhall, England
8th Air Force
67th Reconnaissance Wing (10x TR-1): Alconbury, England
10th Air Force
81st Tactical Fighter Wing (72x A-10B): Bentwaters, England
91st Tactical Fighter Squadron (24x A-10B): Woodbridge, England
12th Air Force
10th Tactical Fighter Wing (36x A-10A): Alconbury, England
15th Air Force
det 4/1st Strategic Reconnaissance Squadron (2x SR-71): Mildenhall, England
17th Air Force
42nd Electronic Countermeasure Squadron (18x EF-111A): Upper Heyford, England
23rd Air Force
1401st Military Airlift Squadron (16x C-12): Alconbury, England

Tegyrius

03-16-2011, 11:49 AM

Warthog nitpick: the A-10B was a proposed two-seat variant. Depending on the data source, it was either a trainer or a night/adverse weather attack bird. Production was limited to one or two (again, depending on the source). Did you intend for that variant to have entered full production in your setting?

Note that I'm not opposed to the possibility... :cool: Just askin'.

- C.

RN7

03-16-2011, 11:54 AM

raketenjagdpanzer

03-16-2011, 12:24 PM

Yeah, according to my books here the 2-seater A10 was designated the N/AW-10 (Night/Adverse Weather).

Speaking of British air power I was just looking over my RDF sourcebook and given how much stuff is still flying in that part of the world I was a little surprised that there are no UK air assets there at all.

dragoon500ly

03-16-2011, 01:21 PM

95th Rifleman

03-16-2011, 06:56 PM

This might help, found it surfing for British details:

http://www.users.globalnet.co.uk/~dheb/2300/Historical/raft2k/raf2kh.htm

Tegyrius

03-16-2011, 07:23 PM

Sorry for the tangent there. I get tunnel vision when I post from my phone. :/

Back on the main topic... I seem to recall, back in the eighties, a proposal for operating Harriers from dispersed bases, using shopping malls with their front walls knocked out as impromptu hangars to screen the birds and support units from aerial observation. Was anything like this ever attempted on exercises or was it strictly an on-paper proposition?

- C.

Legbreaker

03-16-2011, 07:48 PM

Yeah, I can really see the property owners helping out with the whole knocking the wall down thing...

;)

raketenjagdpanzer

03-16-2011, 11:44 PM

Yeah, I can really see the property owners helping out with the whole knocking the wall down thing...

;)

I think it was a very...well, Twilight 2000-y sort of thing in the event that the main bases had been destroyed.

I also recall proposals to use commercial ships as carriers for them.

raketenjagdpanzer

03-16-2011, 11:45 PM

That's one of the probems with the RDF Sourcebook, the orders of battle are, shall we say, "holey"?

Yeah, I'd stick a couple of squadrons of Jaguars and some Harriers in there just to start.

Legbreaker

03-16-2011, 11:58 PM

RN7

03-17-2011, 01:02 AM

Why?

Take Australian deployments for example. Since Vietnam, not once have we sent over a balanced force consisting of all the unit types needed in a conflict zone (except perhaps East Timor, but in that case the aircraft were still based in Australia just outside Darwin).

We usually send over a couple of ships, or a medical team, or a battalion or two of infantry plus APCs and a small artillery unit, or some other mix of troops and equipment. All the additional needs are met by other countries - US supplying fighter cover for example, while our units fill in deficiencies in their OOB.

As long as other countries have a reasonable number of the necessary supporting units, and are willing to operate as a combined command, there's no reason I can see for the British reducing committment to the European theatre and redirecting to the arguably less warlike middle east.

Politics and oil might be a good reason. If the US is providing close to 90% of NATO's ground forces in the Middle East in T2K to guarantee oil supplies to the West, and has essembled an air force in Britain that is as large as the entire RAF, its reasonable to assume that they would like Britain to contribute more to the cause in the Middle East. Excluding a few light infantry/para battalions, it would be a lot easier to send air units to the Middle East than heavy mechanised ground forces.

Also France is building up its forces in the Middle East from 1997, and Britain would want its share of influence over oil supplies as welll. Before the war goes nuclear both Britain and France are on roughly the same military level from an international point of view. No longer powers on the level of the US and USSR, but still powerful nations with a great deal of global influence in their own right.

Remember Britain only pulled its forces out of Asia in 1971, excluding small garrisons in Hong Kong and Brunei, while its realy only since the 1960's that Britain had started to think of itself as a "smaller" power compared to the likes of the USA. Up until the Suez Crisis Britain's Anglo-Persian Oil Company which is the antecendant of British Petrolium, probably had more influence in the Middle Eastern oil industry than any other. If it wasn't for a number of Scitzo British defence white papers in the 1960's, Britain would probably have built a couple of 60,000+ ton aircraft carriers, the Blue Streak IRBM, the TSR-2 bomber, and probably had its own space programme. Old habits can die hard!

95th Rifleman

03-17-2011, 04:50 AM

I recall the RAF having a system of metal, for lack of a better term, mats that they could lay down to form a temp Harrier base. pretty much setting up a flight or even a squadron of Harriers pretty much anywhere out of the back of a truck.

StainlessSteelCynic

03-17-2011, 05:58 AM

Canadian Army

03-17-2011, 06:40 AM

I notice you left out the Government Flying Service of Hong Kong. Here is some info.

Government Flying Service
It was established on 1 April 1993, when Hong Kong was under British rule. It then took over all the non-military operations of the Royal Hong Kong Auxiliary Air Force (RHKAAF), which was an auxiliary unit of the United Kingdom Royal Air Force. It was responsible for search and rescue (SAR), air ambulance, firefighting and police operations. The fleet comprised (1993-1996):
2x Beechcraft Super King Air; used for maritime surveillance and VIP transport.
3x Sikorsky S-70A Black Hawk; medium lift utility helicopter
6x Sikorsky S-76 Spirit; medium utility helicopter
4x Slingsby T-67M-200 Firefly; fixed wing trainer

perardua

03-17-2011, 06:53 AM

The Harrier force was supposed to be dispersed into clearings in the German forests, according to an old and bold RAF Regiment Gunner I know. That's also the reason that groundcrew on Harrier squadrons used to get the crap knocked out of them by burly Paras with pickaxe handles simulating Spetsnatz on exercises, apparently. (To be fair, so did groundcrews on Tornado and Jaguar squadrons in the UK - the Harrier force guys just got it more often as their war role expected them to be closer to the FEBA).

In war, a number of the RAF Regiment field squadrons would have been deployed to support Harrier dets dispersed like that.

RN7

03-17-2011, 07:57 AM

95th Rifleman

03-17-2011, 08:23 AM

dragoon500ly

03-17-2011, 11:09 AM

Yeah, I'd stick a couple of squadrons of Jaguars and some Harriers in there just to start.

For my own game, went with a squadron each of Tornado, Jaguar and Harrier and since most of the MEFF is light infantry, added a mixed Gazelle/Lynx squadron for scouting/antitank, as well as a dozen or so Pumas and Chinooks for troop lift.

Rainbow Six

03-17-2011, 03:39 PM

perardua

03-17-2011, 03:42 PM

Also, why call the Eurofighter a Spitfire rather than Typhoon (i.e. it's actual name)?

dragoon500ly

03-17-2011, 05:27 PM

F16’s in British service. I’ve seen this mentioned on the etranger site before. Interesting idea, particularly in a V1 timeline where there’s a need for something to replace the Phantom until such times as Eurofighter enters service. My only question here would be whether the US would be able to provide forty eight Falcons in 1996 when the Sino Soviet War is already in full swing and the USAF is presumably already mindful of its own possible needs in the event of a War. Perhaps a Falcon purchase would have been more likely earlier in the decade?

Based on the stocks available, I really don't think that the US would be able to furnish another wing for foreign military sales. If the production line ran 3-shifts, 24/7 it might be possible, but modern military aircraft, are just not as suitable for mass production as a P-51 was, you would also have the USAF bring sqns up to war strength as well as trying to modernize the Air National Guard.

Also, for what it’s worth, I also think there would be an RAF presence in the Middle East. Jaguars for sure and most likely a fighter Squadron and a C130 detachment as well. I’m not sure about Harriers though...whilst I absolutely agree they’re a logical choice I think it depends on numbers....does the RAF of 1996 have enough to send some to the Gulf, or does the MEFF have to rely on the US for CAS?

RAF should be able to detach a squadron or two, or take a page from PG1 and send detachments from several different squadrons to make up the 1-2. Perhaps 3-4 Hercules as well as 20-30 helicopters, maybe?

Rainbow Six

03-17-2011, 05:34 PM

RN7

03-18-2011, 12:01 AM

Also, why call the Eurofighter a Spitfire rather than Typhoon (i.e. it's actual name)?

Because the Eurofighter was only named the Typhoon on the 2nd September 1998 at a naming ceremony at Farnborough. The name Typhoon was actualy resisted by Germany because of the RAF Hawker Typhoon fighter-bomber of WW2 which chewed up the German army in Western Europe and North Africa, but Britain, Italy and Spain were in favour of it. Before that the British had pushed for the name Spitfire II which the Luftwaffe for obvious reasons wasn't to happy with either.

In T2K Italy joins the Commy block, and Spain who I'm not to sure who's side it was on, pulled out of the Eurofighter as well, leaving Britain and Germany to develop it. The British named their Eurofighters the Spitfire, while the Germans probably named their ones something more agreable to them.

RN7

03-18-2011, 12:56 AM

Interesting and thorough piece...well done...would be interested in seeing your take on things in 2000 when it’s done.

Just a couple of questions / comments...

1. Eurofighter. I appreciate there are a great many “what ifs” involved in conversations such as these, especially in a V1 timeline, however as far as I know IRL Eurofighters did not enter service until well into the 21st Century, so even with a continuing Cold war, I’m simply not sure how feasible it would be for any to be in general service circa 1996 / 1997? (Admittedly I do like the idea of the small number of test aircraft being rushed into service at some point).

2. F16’s in British service. I’ve seen this mentioned on the etranger site before. Interesting idea, particularly in a V1 timeline where there’s a need for something to replace the Phantom until such times as Eurofighter enters service. My only question here would be whether the US would be able to provide forty eight Falcons in 1996 when the Sino Soviet War is already in full swing and the USAF is presumably already mindful of its own possible needs in the event of a War. Perhaps a Falcon purchase would have been more likely earlier in the decade?

Also, for what it’s worth, I also think there would be an RAF presence in the Middle East. Jaguars for sure and most likely a fighter Squadron and a C130 detachment as well. I’m not sure about Harriers though...whilst I absolutely agree they’re a logical choice I think it depends on numbers....does the RAF of 1996 have enough to send some to the Gulf, or does the MEFF have to rely on the US for CAS?

1. While its true the Eurofighter didn't start serious testing until 2004, the prototype had its maiden flight in 1994, some ten years earlier. I would be certain that much of this delay was down to four countries arguing over what they wanted on their version of the Eurofighter, and who built what. The main stumbling blocks was over the radar. Basically the radar and the engine are largely British technology, despite the multi-national and ownership of the company that supposedly designed them. Britain and Germany are realy the two dominant partners, and without Italy and Spain squabbling over what work share they get, things could get done a lot quicker, particulary with a world war looming over the horizon. Certainly the Eurofighter of T2K is not a finished article, a lot of test-bed tech and gliches, but it can fly, and when things work it would be a very nasty surprise for the Red Air Force over Europe, and can be built in limited numbers into 1997.

2. Well I got the idea from Dan's RAF article on Etranger, but I don't see the problem. Basically the RAF Phantom's will get slaughtered by front line Soviet Su-27s and Mig-29s in Central Europe, and the Tornado F.3 is not a tactical fighter. America realy has a lot of F-16s and is still producing them right up until November 1997, and many would be already earmarked for service with the USAF in the same area that RAF F-16s would be operating in. Sending RAF Phantom pilots to the US and training them on F-16's is not a big issue, as the RAF pilots are hardly novices in the first place, and might represent better value for money to the USAF as the RAF pilots would be a lot better trained and experienced than the replacement Air National Guard F-16 pilots who would be sent over from 1997. Maybe some politics as well. We give you and F-16 wing, you send some of your own squadrons to the Middle East to back us up, or your carriers work the North Atlantic etc etc.

3. As far as I know I haven't listed any Harriers in the Middle East, although I sent a flight of older Harrier GR.5s to Hong Kong.

Rainbow Six

03-18-2011, 03:57 AM

2. Well I got the idea from Dan's RAF article on Etranger, but I don't see the problem.

I didn't see it as a problem either, it was really just more by way of a general comment / question. As I said, I actually find the idea interesting.

3. As far as I know I haven't listed any Harriers in the Middle East, although I sent a flight of older Harrier GR.5s to Hong Kong.

Sorry, may be a crossed wire here...my comment about the RAF in the Middle East was my own suggested deployment - it wasn't intended to specifically refer to anyone else's (although it seems we're in agreement about about no Harriers to the Middle East...)

dragoon500ly

03-18-2011, 06:18 AM

I believe there were 28 F16's intended for the Pakistani Air Force that were never delivered because of an embargo (the Pressler Amendment?) and ended up going from the factory at Fort Worth straight to storage at Davis Monthan AFB sometime in the early 90's?

Perhaps an arrangement was reached for the RAF to get those planes?

Just a thought...

Anything is possible, but ac at the storage site tend to be stripped for parts or are pulled to replace operational/training losses. ANybody know how many are still left?

StainlessSteelCynic

03-18-2011, 06:28 AM

From what I can gather, the F-16s ordered for Pakistan where not completely stripped back. At one point they were offered to New Zealand to replace the RNZAF's A4 Skyhawks and it was claimed that only a modest amount of work was needed to make them operational.
The deal was said to be particularly favourable towards New Zealand but the Helen Clark lead government decided that New Zealand didn't need fighter or attack aircraft and so the deal was dropped. New Zealand's loss.

Rainbow Six

03-18-2011, 06:38 AM

There's a bit of detail about the embargoed Pakistani F16's here.

http://www.f16falcon.com/facts/f16_17.html

In summary, it appears that they initially ordered 71. Twenty eight were built and placed in storage, whilst the remainder were never built. As best as I can tell the planes that went in to in storage remained fully intact and operational whilst diplomatic wrangling went on over whether they would be a) delivered to the PAF as ordered or b) the Pakistanis got their money back.

Circa 1995 it was proposed that they be sold to other countries, with the proceeds going to the Pakistanis. Initial suggestions were Taiwan (17 aircraft) and the Phillipines (11 aircraft), however that fell through as did a proposed deal with New Zealand and IRL the planes were still in Arizona as of sometime in 2001 (I don't know what state they're in now).

I think it is, therefore, possible that the PAF F16's might have found their way into Royal Air Force service in a T2K World. One possible stumbling block might be that it appears they were relatively older models (A/B's) so not state of the art, however the RAF might have decided that older model F16's were a better option than aging Phantom FGR2's. Personally, I'm quite sold on the idea...

(And I'm sure if the RAF didn't take them, then someone would have done in the months leading up to the Twilight War - perhaps New Zealand as originally planned).

RN7

03-18-2011, 10:56 AM

dragoon500ly

03-19-2011, 02:23 PM

F-16C/D Block 40/42/50/52 production was...

F-16C/D Block 40/42
472: USA (1988-1992)
138: Egypt (1991-2002)
117: Turkey (1990-1995)
060: Israel (1991-1993)
022: Bahrain (1990-2000)
F-16C/D Block 50/52
264: USA (1991-2004)
140: South Korea (1994-2004)
070: Turkey (1996-1999)
064: Greece (1997-1998)
062. Singapore (1998-2002)

Production is on going to the USAF and export customers before and during the T2K period, at least up until the end of 1997. In 1996 its clear that a big war is looming, and the US government is going to have to decide who takes precedence in war production.

We can rule out Singapore as it didn't get F-16s till 1998, while the Greeks went commy and probably would have only recieved a dozen at most. The USAF and Israel are going to get what they want, but is the US going to keep delivering F-16s to Egypt, Turkey and even South Korea when Britain wants an F-16 wing. The simple fact is Britain is America's closest military ally, and more important than even Israel, and whatever Britain wants it gets, even nuclear weapons and delivery systems.

While I do acknowledge the special realitionship inbetween the US and the UK. Look at the strategic situation. With Greek and Turkey going at it, the US has always tended to favor Turkey to an extent, they are, after all, the USs oldest Middle Eastern ally. So the shipment of F-16s to Turkey, especially to counterbalance a communist Greece would go through.

South Korea, especially being so near to major Soviet air and naval bases, is another country bady needing modern aircraft. I feel a good argument could be made to dispatch F-16s to the ROKAF.

With Egypt, especially during this time frame, being very friendly to the US, as well as controlling the vital choke point of the Suez Canal and with the worsening situation in Iraq/Syria from the RDF Sourcebook might receive their F-16s, if only to help reinforce Saudi Arabia.

This would leave the Bahrain order and what was delivered of the Pakistan order (airframes pulled into depot level maintenance and brought up to C/D standards. With 22 on order and 28 on hand, this may give the RAF 2-3 squadrons to replace the Phantom force with.

But then there is the additional problem of a line in RDF concerning air battles with Iranian F-16s........ :wall:

One really gets the idea that General Dynamics went to a 24/7 work week with four shifts running!

JHart

03-19-2011, 11:02 PM

But then there is the additional problem of a line in RDF concerning air battles with Iranian F-16s......

Two options. Chalk it up as a typo and assume they meant F-14s, or F-16s where given to Iran by a nation that used them in exchange for something.

pmulcahy11b

03-19-2011, 11:23 PM

But then there is the additional problem of a line in RDF concerning air battles with Iranian F-16s........ :wall:

GDW was looking at something very old. Iran was originally going to be one of the first export customers for the F-16, but when Khomenei took over, the deal was nixed fast before the Iranians got any F-16s. Their order was going to be big, too -- they were repurposed to the USAF and some European countries.

RN7

03-20-2011, 02:18 AM

While I do acknowledge the special realitionship inbetween the US and the UK. Look at the strategic situation. With Greek and Turkey going at it, the US has always tended to favor Turkey to an extent, they are, after all, the USs oldest Middle Eastern ally. So the shipment of F-16s to Turkey, especially to counterbalance a communist Greece would go through.

South Korea, especially being so near to major Soviet air and naval bases, is another country bady needing modern aircraft. I feel a good argument could be made to dispatch F-16s to the ROKAF.

With Egypt, especially during this time frame, being very friendly to the US, as well as controlling the vital choke point of the Suez Canal and with the worsening situation in Iraq/Syria from the RDF Sourcebook might receive their F-16s, if only to help reinforce Saudi Arabia.

This would leave the Bahrain order and what was delivered of the Pakistan order (airframes pulled into depot level maintenance and brought up to C/D standards. With 22 on order and 28 on hand, this may give the RAF 2-3 squadrons to replace the Phantom force with.

But then there is the additional problem of a line in RDF concerning air battles with Iranian F-16s........ :wall:

One really gets the idea that General Dynamics went to a 24/7 work week with four shifts running!

I don't think Iran ever got any F-16s in realy life or T2K. But certainly Turkey, Egypt and South Korea will continue to get US military supplies, but in the context of US priorities they are not going to be getting real world peacetime orders of F-16C Block 40/50s, which in T2K are going to go staight to frontline USAF squadrons and key allies. They might get a some F-16C's, but more likely will be offered refurbished F-16A's from the Air National Guard or even some F-4s and F5s.

Egypt, Turkey and South Korea are all important to the US in their own way, but in the context of America's relationship with Britain each of these countries are just not as important for a number of reasons.

Britain is an indepenent nuclear power with its own nuclear arsenal and nuclear weapons industry, and that on its own makes Britain a far more important ally.

Britain's military is of more importance and use to the US than either Turkey, Egypt or South Korea. Its ground and air forces are the key component of NORTHAG and the defence of Northern Germany, Denmark and Norway, and its mobile reactions forces are the best and largest of the European NATO countries. British air bases and British surveillance and communications resources are highly important to the US, and critically important to the US for the defence of Western Europe. Britain also has the second most powerful navy in the western world, with its own fleet of aircraft carriers and nuclear submarines, and at this time had the best anti-submarine warfare capability in the world. It would be of critical importance to the defence of US arms shipments and reinforcements across the Atlantic, and in destroying Soviet SSBNs.

Britain's military and intelligence community is far closer to America than Egypt and Turkey, and despite the large US commitment to the defence of South Korea, the Koreans don't have anywhere near the influence of Britain outside of the Far East or with Washington.

Britain is a permanent member of the UN Security Council and its relationship with Australia, Canada and New Zealand is probably even closer than their relations with the US. Britain also has close links with many African and Asian countries, and the nations of the Indian sub-Continent which transends East-West rivalry.

Britain has territories and military bases across the world which are important to the US, Gibraltar, Cyprus, Diego Garcia and Hong Kong, as well as others which are maybe of not so much importance such as Ascension Island, Bermuda, the Falklands etc.

Today and probably in the 1990's Britain had the second largest defence industry in the Western world after America. It can build and design everthing from its own fighter jets, to tanks and nuclear submarines, and along with France it is the least dependent on US technology. The defence industries and technology of Turkey and South Korea just don't compare, while Egypt's is non-discript.

Legbreaker

03-20-2011, 04:51 AM

The US is involved in a multi-front shooting war against an opponent extremely well equipped for shooting down aircraft.

A pilot can eject and hopefully float gently to the ground and be recovered. A plane doesn't have a parachute - it can only crash.

Replacement planes will be needed desperately, even older models a little less capable than the ones the ejected pilots are used to flying.

Nobody is getting any F-16s (or any other combat aircraft) except the USAF and / or Navy / USMC. Other countries will have to fend for themselves.

Rainbow Six

03-20-2011, 01:56 PM

This would leave the Bahrain order and what was delivered of the Pakistan order (airframes pulled into depot level maintenance and brought up to C/D standards. With 22 on order and 28 on hand, this may give the RAF 2-3 squadrons to replace the Phantom force with.

That sounds like a reasonable idea to me. As a minor nitpick, perhaps it would be better to happen in 1995 than 1996? (As I've said already, I see no problem with the RAF operating F16's. I just question the timescale - I'm not sure how much time it would take to train an entire Wing's air and ground crews on a new aircraft that they have never flown / worked on before)

Panther Al

03-20-2011, 03:14 PM

Legbreaker

03-20-2011, 05:52 PM

dragoon500ly

03-20-2011, 09:38 PM

How long does it take to build an F-18, etc from scratch?
Simple as it may be (compared to other designs), you won't be rolling them out on a daily basis and I rather doubt anywhere near fast enough to replace losses.
We see the Army requisitions tanks etc, so why wouldn't they do the same for more advanced, expensive and difficult to produce aircraft?

There's a war on. Supporting your allies with equipment is all well and good, but when your own troops are dying because of a lack of vital supplies, the US people are going to have something to say about it!

The final answer is, nobody knows for sure. Modern aircraft being made of exotic materials and expensive electronics...it sure won't be like turning out 24 P-51Ds a day! The best guess for the F-16 is about 15 days from start to finish. How much this could be cut down is up in the air, that's why I crack jokes about GD going to three shifts a day, it really is the only way to produce enough F-16s to match the needs.

A lot of web sites talk about F-16/15/18s going all over the world...in real life, the USAF would be busy bringing squadrons up to wartime strength and struggling to build a reserve of ac. My own best guess is that nobody else will be getting front line aircraft, it would even be doubtful that F-16A/Bs would be sold, they can, after all, be sent into depots for full rebuilds. Older birds like the F-4s would be sold, and ac like the F-5s/F-20s would be the most likely ones sold overseas.

I tried to reason out a logical chain that would allow the RAF to pick up F-16s, but the major problem is this is a bird that the Brits do not fly, have no pilots tried to fly it and no support crew trained to maintain. It is very doubtful that the Falcon would ever serve in the RAF. The needs of the USAF/USMC/USN would almost certainly keep all front-line production for their own use. As one previous poster has noted, the Army seized tanks, certainly aircraft can be seized as well.

Legbreaker

03-20-2011, 09:51 PM

And that's pretty much my point in a nutshell. There's just too much NEED for them within the US military and little to no supporting structure amongst the British or other potential recipients.
With aircraft losses at a conservative one per day for the first six months of the war, that's 180 aircraft in need of replacement. Using one produced per fortnight, there's a serious shortfall of 168 aircraft.

Flying against the Soviets is no turkey shoot like Iraq was - losses will happen, lots of them.

Panther Al

03-20-2011, 11:34 PM

The final answer is, nobody knows for sure. Modern aircraft being made of exotic materials and expensive electronics...it sure won't be like turning out 24 P-51Ds a day! The best guess for the F-16 is about 15 days from start to finish. How much this could be cut down is up in the air, that's why I crack jokes about GD going to three shifts a day, it really is the only way to produce enough F-16s to match the needs.

*snippage*

I tried to reason out a logical chain that would allow the RAF to pick up F-16s, but the major problem is this is a bird that the Brits do not fly, have no pilots tried to fly it and no support crew trained to maintain. It is very doubtful that the Falcon would ever serve in the RAF. The needs of the USAF/USMC/USN would almost certainly keep all front-line production for their own use. As one previous poster has noted, the Army seized tanks, certainly aircraft can be seized as well.

Thats actually one of the reasons I can see the F16 being exported, even during the war, its the only plane built at that time with little in the way of advanced materials. The FA18 is a bit more complex, and uses advanced materials, and the F15/F14 is just too complex to build rapidly. One of the reasons why aircraft take so long to build is that it helps with job preservation, and I am not saying that cynically either: By drawing the process out, while they pay more in wages, they can keep the line going longer, allowing for an efficiency in scale that drives over all costs down. If they put the man hours into the line, got the suppliers of other bits and pieces to do the same, its not unreasonable to drop the build time to 5 days: and remember, thats 5 one shift days. You put on 3 shifts a day, and find other ways to cut time, which I am sure could be found, a fighter a day isn't too out of the realm of possibility. The complexity and the addition of advanced materials is why I agree that there will not be any exporting (Maybe the odd one or two FA18 here and there once the carriers start to get trimmed back) of any of the other front line fighter types. F4's? By the bucket load, but 15, 14, and 18? Not likely.

But the last bit is a fair cop: *If* the RAF picks up the 16's before the war kicks off, good deal. If they try it during the war, its pure barney. Too many things that can go wrong when you don't have the time and the assets to fix.

RN7

03-20-2011, 11:40 PM

RN7

03-20-2011, 11:44 PM

Actually, I can see the F16 getting shopped around to other Air Forces, even when the shooting starts. Not the others, like the 15's, and 14's, even the 18's, though that is a maybe.

The F16 was designed, along with the FA18, to be simple, cheap, and easy to build, they wasn't supposed to be overly complex aircraft. The FA18 pushes that envelope, but isn't near as complex as either a F14 or F15. I can't recall where, but I remember it being said that with the F16 that during the design process there was a good deal of effort to build in a capability to be produced in immense numbers in a wartime situation. So, given the slow build up to war, then the warmup act over in China, I can easily see GD and Lockmark being tapped to really ramp up production.

I agree, the F-16 is a modern, agile and highly capable tactical fighter, but its not an air superiority fighter/bomber like the F-15, and its neither as expensive or as compex to build, maintain and fly. This is part of the reason I have the RAF flying F-16s in my orbat. I would love to have given the RAF an F-15C wing, put that would be pushing things a bit too far.

RN7

03-20-2011, 11:49 PM

That sounds like a reasonable idea to me. As a minor nitpick, perhaps it would be better to happen in 1995 than 1996? (As I've said already, I see no problem with the RAF operating F16's. I just question the timescale - I'm not sure how much time it would take to train an entire Wing's air and ground crews on a new aircraft that they have never flown / worked on before)

Perphaps six months to a year for most countries, but I'd go with six month for the RAF guys. I'd say training the pilots would be the easier task and there are plenty of USAF F-16 units stationed in Europe.

RN7

03-20-2011, 11:53 PM

pmulcahy11b

03-20-2011, 11:58 PM

I agree, the F-16 is a modern, agile and highly capable tactical fighter, but its not an air superiority fighter/bomber like the F-15, and its neither as expensive or as compex to build, maintain and fly. This is part of the reason I have the RAF flying F-16s in my orbat. I would love to have given the RAF an F-15C wing, put that would be pushing things a bit too far.

The F-16 was originally designed to be an air superiority fighter -- an aerial dogfighter if you will. It was only later that they turned into a bomb truck and a multirole fighter.

Legbreaker

03-21-2011, 12:02 AM

Well I would think that the pilots are a bit more important than machines.

Yes, they certainly are, which is why it's important to keep those highly trained and expensive assets in the air.
Thats F-16 there Legbreaker ;)

Note the "etc"? I'm not talking about just one type of jet aircraft, I'm talking about them all.
If it takes say 500 man hours to build an F-18, 1,000 man hours for an F-22, and 300 man hours for an F-16, I know which one's more likely to see production ramped up in the latter half of 1997. You've got to keep pilots in the air even if it means a downgrade in overall aircraft performance. Chances are the enemy won't have a lot of their more advanced aircraft left either so the reduced performance shouldn't be a major problem.

RN7

03-21-2011, 12:25 AM

The final answer is, nobody knows for sure. Modern aircraft being made of exotic materials and expensive electronics...it sure won't be like turning out 24 P-51Ds a day! The best guess for the F-16 is about 15 days from start to finish. How much this could be cut down is up in the air, that's why I crack jokes about GD going to three shifts a day, it really is the only way to produce enough F-16s to match the needs.

A lot of web sites talk about F-16/15/18s going all over the world...in real life, the USAF would be busy bringing squadrons up to wartime strength and struggling to build a reserve of ac. My own best guess is that nobody else will be getting front line aircraft, it would even be doubtful that F-16A/Bs would be sold, they can, after all, be sent into depots for full rebuilds. Older birds like the F-4s would be sold, and ac like the F-5s/F-20s would be the most likely ones sold overseas.

I tried to reason out a logical chain that would allow the RAF to pick up F-16s, but the major problem is this is a bird that the Brits do not fly, have no pilots tried to fly it and no support crew trained to maintain. It is very doubtful that the Falcon would ever serve in the RAF. The needs of the USAF/USMC/USN would almost certainly keep all front-line production for their own use. As one previous poster has noted, the Army seized tanks, certainly aircraft can be seized as well.

Well nobody's talking about WW2 levels of production her, but we are talking about wartime production is going to be running a lot higher than peacetime levels, and the US can build things quicker than anybody when its puts its mind to it.

Does anybody have an actual accurate statistic for how many F-16's the USAF has on hand in the mid-1990s? By my reckoning its could be over 1,400 and that's not including aircraft that are being built.

I have the RAF getting the F-16's in 1996, not in the middle of 1997 when the US armed forces might realy have a problem with US war production going to other countries when they need it themselves. Also the F-4 which I have the F-16's replacing is also an American aircraft, as is the Hercules, the Sentry and the Chinook, and the RAF has been flying US aircraft since WW2. RAF pilots are very well trained, highly competent and experienced. I think only US, Israeli and perhaps Australian and Canadian pilots match them in flying hours. The F-16 is one of the most common USAF aircraft stationed in Europe and is also used by many other NATO countries. How hard would it realy be to send RAF Phantom pilots and ground crew on a crash training course to one of the dozen or more air bases across Western Europe which support F-16 operations?

RN7

03-21-2011, 12:30 AM

The F-16 was originally designed to be an air superiority fighter -- an aerial dogfighter if you will. It was only later that they turned into a bomb truck and a multirole fighter.

I thought the F-16 is a tactical fighter and the F-15 is an air superiority fighter.

Air superiority being bigger, faster, longer ranged, and the ability to carry a bigger weapons payload, but not as good in a dog fight as an F-16 which is lighter and more agile, hense tactical fighter.

RN7

03-21-2011, 12:35 AM

Yes, they certainly are, which is why it's important to keep those highly trained and expensive assets in the air.

Note the "etc"? I'm not talking about just one type of jet aircraft, I'm talking about them all.
If it takes say 500 man hours to build an F-18, 1,000 man hours for an F-22, and 300 man hours for an F-16, I know which one's more likely to see production ramped up in the latter half of 1997. You've got to keep pilots in the air even if it means a downgrade in overall aircraft performance. Chances are the enemy won't have a lot of their more advanced aircraft left either so the reduced performance shouldn't be a major problem.

Yes they are going to ramp up F-16 production aren't they? And don't forget there is a whole wing or highly trained pilots waiting in Britain for those F-16's :)

Rainbow Six

03-21-2011, 08:15 AM

I tried to reason out a logical chain that would allow the RAF to pick up F-16s, but the major problem is this is a bird that the Brits do not fly, have no pilots tried to fly it and no support crew trained to maintain. It is very doubtful that the Falcon would ever serve in the RAF. The needs of the USAF/USMC/USN would almost certainly keep all front-line production for their own use. As one previous poster has noted, the Army seized tanks, certainly aircraft can be seized as well.

I was thinking about this as well.

In my opinion, there are two factors involved. The first is the increasing global tensions in the first half of the 1990's (I seem to recall there are reference to various bush wars taking place) that culminates in the outbreak of the Sino Soviet War in the summer of 1995 (at least in V1).

The second - and perhaps the critical one for this discussion - is when the Eurofighter can be expected to enter frontline service. The first test aircraft flew on 27 March 1994 and as best as I can tell it was originally scheduled to enter Squadron service sometime in 1997 (before the various delays which RN7 has referred to kicked in and it actually ended up being 2007).

In my opinion valid arguments can be made for the F16 entering RAF service or valid arguments can be made for Eurofighter entering service sooner. However, I find the idea of both being in service less likely.

For example (and following a v1 timeline) British forces are placed on full alert after the outbreak of the Sino Soviet War. Perhaps this is what prompts the Ministry of Defence to review its fighter requirements. At that point I think there are two possible scenarios.

1. Eurofighter is on schedule to commence deliveries in 1997 (or possibly even ahead of its RL schedule if we accept that a continuing Cold War may have reduced significantly some of the delays - IRL I understand German Reunification was one of the contributing factors to these delays). That being the case, with Eurofighter eighteen months away, would the RAF opt to acquire - at considerable expense presumably - a Wing of F16's and all the supporting paraphenlia that goes with that and embark on a training programme for the air and ground crews when Eurofighter is scheduled to enter service in eighteen months or less? Ultimately we don't know what the answer would be but I'm inclined to think that the decision would be taken to soldier on with the Phantom / Tornado option bearing in mind the MoD don't have the foresight to know that WW3 will break out the following year (IRL the Phantom was retired in 1992, but I'm suggesting here that it would remain in service until Eurofighter's arrival in service).

2. Eurofighter is not on schedule to commence deliveries as planned and is going to be delayed by several years (at least). In this scenario then I can see the logic in the Ministry of Defence deciding at that point that soldiering on with Phantoms indefinitely is not an attractive option and opening discussions with the US sometime in 1995 to procure F16's (possibly on some sort of lease basis). Dependent on when the deal is signed this gives the RAF something in the region of a year and a half (maximum) to get their Falcons delivered, carry out the neccessary conversion training and become operational.

So imho I think you can have the RAF operating Falcons or Eurofighters but not both (other than a handful of Eurofighter test planes if you go with the second option).

Cheers

RN7

03-21-2011, 11:03 AM

I was thinking about this as well.

In my opinion, there are two factors involved. The first is the increasing global tensions in the first half of the 1990's (I seem to recall there are reference to various bush wars taking place) that culminates in the outbreak of the Sino Soviet War in the summer of 1995 (at least in V1).

The second - and perhaps the critical one for this discussion - is when the Eurofighter can be expected to enter frontline service. The first test aircraft flew on 27 March 1994 and as best as I can tell it was originally scheduled to enter Squadron service sometime in 1997 (before the various delays which RN7 has referred to kicked in and it actually ended up being 2007).

In my opinion valid arguments can be made for the F16 entering RAF service or valid arguments can be made for Eurofighter entering service sooner. However, I find the idea of both being in service less likely.

For example (and following a v1 timeline) British forces are placed on full alert after the outbreak of the Sino Soviet War. Perhaps this is what prompts the Ministry of Defence to review its fighter requirements. At that point I think there are two possible scenarios.

1. Eurofighter is on schedule to commence deliveries in 1997 (or possibly even ahead of its RL schedule if we accept that a continuing Cold War may have reduced significantly some of the delays - IRL I understand German Reunification was one of the contributing factors to these delays). That being the case, with Eurofighter eighteen months away, would the RAF opt to acquire - at considerable expense presumably - a Wing of F16's and all the supporting paraphenlia that goes with that and embark on a training programme for the air and ground crews when Eurofighter is scheduled to enter service in eighteen months or less? Ultimately we don't know what the answer would be but I'm inclined to think that the decision would be taken to soldier on with the Phantom / Tornado option bearing in mind the MoD don't have the foresight to know that WW3 will break out the following year (IRL the Phantom was retired in 1992, but I'm suggesting here that it would remain in service until Eurofighter's arrival in service).

2. Eurofighter is not on schedule to commence deliveries as planned and is going to be delayed by several years (at least). In this scenario then I can see the logic in the Ministry of Defence deciding at that point that soldiering on with Phantoms indefinitely is not an attractive option and opening discussions with the US sometime in 1995 to procure F16's (possibly on some sort of lease basis). Dependent on when the deal is signed this gives the RAF something in the region of a year and a half (maximum) to get their Falcons delivered, carry out the neccessary conversion training and become operational.

So imho I think you can have the RAF operating Falcons or Eurofighters but not both (other than a handful of Eurofighter test planes if you go with the second option).

Cheers

I would agree over the F-16 and Lend Lease is pretty much what Dan proposed on Etranger. I would disagree with only having the F-16 or the Eurofighter and not both, as the F-16s wont be built in Britain, and Britain has a large aerospace industry.

The final assembly line for all Eurofighter aircraft is at Warton, and most of the flight testing is also done at Warton. Components of the Eurofighter are made at Samlesbury

The share of work is as follows:
Britain: Front fuselage, canopy, dorsal spine, tail fin, foreplanes, inboard flaperons, rear fuselage sections
Germany: Main centre fuselage
Italy: Left wing, outboard flaperons, rear fuselage sections
Spain: Right wing, leading edge slats

Much of the work and most of the key components of the Eurofighter are built in Britain. Take Italy and Spain out and redirect the work and I would say the Eurofighter is 75% British made. Also the CAPTOR radar is British, a development of the Sea Harrier FA.2s Blue Vixen radar developed by the then GEC/Ferranti, now part of BAE. The real life EJ200 Eurofighter engine is assembled in Britain, Germany, Italy and Spain, with the British part being the combustion system and high pressure turbine and health monitoring system. But the EJ200 is based on the British Rolls Royce XG-40 technology demonstrator engine that was developed from 1984. The T2K Eurofighter is a joint British/German development, but the Germans don’t have a significant aircraft engine manufacturing capability other than what they produces under license or in joint-partnership with other countries. Britain on the other hand does, Rolls Royce is/was the largest maker outside of the US and Rolls Royce’s commercial engine are built in Derby while the Eurofighter engine is built in Bristol.

Even on low production starting in 1996 I would say that Britain could build two a month up until the nukes start flying, so 28 RAF Eurofighters is realistic.

However I never intended the Eurofighter to be fully operational, as 1997 is to early to have a fully functional aircraft in mass production. More likely about a dozen operational aircraft at any one time with another dozen or so under going trials and testing, and replacements for lost aircraft.

Rainbow Six

03-21-2011, 11:33 AM

I would agree over the F-16 and Lend Lease is pretty much what Dan proposed on Etranger. I would disagree with only having the F-16 or the Eurofighter and not both, as the F-16s wont be built in Britain, and Britain has a large aerospace industry.

The final assembly line for all Eurofighter aircraft is at Warton, and most of the flight testing is also done at Warton. Components of the Eurofighter are made at Samlesbury

The share of work is as follows:
Britain: Front fuselage, canopy, dorsal spine, tail fin, foreplanes, inboard flaperons, rear fuselage sections
Germany: Main centre fuselage
Italy: Left wing, outboard flaperons, rear fuselage sections
Spain: Right wing, leading edge slats

Much of the work and most of the key components of the Eurofighter are built in Britain. Take Italy and Spain out and redirect the work and I would say the Eurofighter is 75% British made. Also the CAPTOR radar is British, a development of the Sea Harrier FA.2s Blue Vixen radar developed by the then GEC/Ferranti, now part of BAE. The real life EJ200 Eurofighter engine is assembled in Britain, Germany, Italy and Spain, with the British part being the combustion system and high pressure turbine and health monitoring system. But the EJ200 is based on the British Rolls Royce XG-40 technology demonstrator engine that was developed from 1984. The T2K Eurofighter is a joint British/German development, but the Germans don’t have a significant aircraft engine manufacturing capability other than what they produces under license or in joint-partnership with other countries. Britain on the other hand does, Rolls Royce is/was the largest maker outside of the US and Rolls Royce’s commercial engine are built in Derby while the Eurofighter engine is built in Bristol.

Even on low production starting in 1996 I would say that Britain could build two a month up until the nukes start flying, so 28 RAF Eurofighters is realistic.

However I never intended the Eurofighter to be fully operational, as 1997 is to early to have a fully functional aircraft in mass production. More likely about a dozen operational aircraft at any one time with another dozen or so under going trials and testing, and replacements for lost aircraft.

I don't doubt that the capability is there for us to have both...I just think that if the Eurofighter is being delivered on schedule - or ahead of schedule - then the powers that be in the MoD would decide there was no need to procure F16's in addition to the Eurofighter (unless one advocates increasing the strength of the RAF by an extra Wing of fighters due to increasing Cold War tensions, which is another matter altogether...if that's the case go for it).

Hence the reason I think I think it would be an either / or scenario...what I'm getting at is that if Eurofighters are coming off the production line at Warton on a regular basis I don't think there would be perceived to be a need to seek an alternative...

RN7

03-21-2011, 12:53 PM

I don't doubt that the capability is there for us to have both...I just think that if the Eurofighter is being delivered on schedule - or ahead of schedule - then the powers that be in the MoD would decide there was no need to procure F16's in addition to the Eurofighter (unless one advocates increasing the strength of the RAF by an extra Wing of fighters due to increasing Cold War tensions, which is another matter altogether...if that's the case go for it).

Hence the reason I think I think it would be an either / or scenario...what I'm getting at is that if Eurofighters are coming off the production line at Warton on a regular basis I don't think there would be perceived to be a need to seek an alternative...

Well the doubt about the availability and how many Eurofighters can be produced would probably force the MoD to approach Washington to lease the F-16s. Building 28 Eurofighters in the time frame up to the nuclear war is I think realistic, but their reliability and workability is going to be an issue as all of them are never going to be fully operational due to them being little more than prototypes, and Britain needs a proven and modern tactical fighter to replace the Phantom in the front line in Europe.

Fusilier

03-21-2011, 03:20 PM

Even on low production starting in 1996 I would say that Britain could build two a month up until the nukes start flying, so 28 RAF Eurofighters is realistic

For what it's worth, it takes 16 weeks to produce a Eurofighter. You can compare that to 30 weeks to build a Tornado.

The reduction in time isn't based on what aircraft you are making, but the assembly facilities (which were apparently upgraded in '98 for the Eurofighter).

RN7

03-21-2011, 04:36 PM

For what it's worth, it takes 16 weeks to produce a Eurofighter. You can compare that to 30 weeks to build a Tornado.

The reduction in time isn't based on what aircraft you are making, but the assembly facilities (which were apparently upgraded in '98 for the Eurofighter).

Well by that measurement the Tornado was built at a rate of less than two a year, which means that the 920 Tornados scheduled to be built for Britain, Germany and Italy would have taken nearly 500 years to build since the first Tornado rolled off the production line in 1981.

Tegyrius

03-21-2011, 05:44 PM

I don't think these aircraft are produced serially. Multiple birds will be in sequentially greater states of completion on the plant floor at one time. The real figure that's relevant here isn't start-to-finish on a single airframe, but the rate at which the factory cycles them out the door.

- C.

Legbreaker

03-21-2011, 05:46 PM

That's 30 weeks per unit. More than one unit can be made at a time with commencement of each aircraft staggered by say a week. Each aircraft would be at a different stage of construction requiring different tools, parts and technicians.
Think of a car factory - they don't focus solely on one vehicle at a time from the first bolt to it rolling out the door....

Fusilier

03-22-2011, 06:19 AM

Well by that measurement the Tornado was built at a rate of less than two a year, which means that the 920 Tornados scheduled to be built for Britain, Germany and Italy would have taken nearly 500 years to build since the first Tornado rolled off the production line in 1981.

No it doesn't. That just means the start to finish time is 30 weeks. Nobody said the factory builds only one at a time.

RN7

03-22-2011, 04:35 PM

No it doesn't. That just means the start to finish time is 30 weeks. Nobody said the factory builds only one at a time.

Well obviously not.

Any ideas how many Tornado's and Eurofighters would be built per year.

BTW here is a link to F-16 production..

http://www.f-16.net/fleet-reports_article18.html

antimedic

03-23-2011, 08:09 PM

Bring on the Tigershark!

StainlessSteelCynic

03-24-2011, 06:20 PM

Bring on the Tigershark!

Now there was a sweet looking plane, both it and the F-16XL were personal favourites.

F-16XL
http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/systems/aircraft/images/f-16xl-EC97-44354-3.jpg

pmulcahy11b

03-24-2011, 07:24 PM

In my campaign backstory (back when I was running a campaign), the F-16XL, called the F-16F Scamp, was available in two-squadron strength and was the steed of the Twilight War's highest-scoring ace, USAF CPT Pamela Wagner.

Louied

03-25-2011, 02:48 PM

raketenjagdpanzer

03-26-2011, 09:57 AM

I just remembered we might of overlooked something regarding the F-16. During 1994-95 the USN retired 14 F-16N's & 4 TF-16N's that they were using for disimiliar combat training (NFWS, VF-43, & VF-45). (see the book "MASDC II AMARC:Military Aircraft Storage and Disposition Center, Aerospace Maintenance and Regeneration Center") In the T2K timeline do you think these would have been retired ?

Louie

Probably but as soon as the war heated up they'd be stripped for spares ASAP.

The F16N's were pretty stressed out during their days as aggressor trainers. There were serious cracks in the airframes when the USN was finished with 'em.

Nowhere Man 1966

03-27-2011, 02:28 PM

Bring on the Tigershark!

I like the F-5 a lot and always favored the F-20 Tigershark.

Chuck