The Quest for Relevant Air Power

GERMAN Air Force │ 201
reform in 1999–2000. 330 In late 2006, the first of five syntheticaperture
radar Lupe satellites was launched. 331 In addition to this
national capability, an agreement to secure a satellite data exchange
between Germany and France was implemented in early
2008. 332 In accordance with this new emphasis upon strategic reconnaissance
assets, Germany seeks to make a meaningful contribution
to the EU and NATO in early warning of crises. 333
Throughout the first two decades of the post–Cold War era, the
GAF’s principal airborne reconnaissance asset was the Tornado aircraft
with its reconnaissance pod integrating electro-optical and infrared
sensors. In the second half of 2009, the RecceLite reconnaissance
pod, providing real-time intelligence by means of data link,
became operational on German Tornados in Afghanistan. Simultaneously,
one of two Tornado reconnaissance squadrons was disbanded
and replaced by an RPA squadron initially operating the
Israeli MALE RPA system Heron. In the field of HALE RPA systems,
the GAF is about to acquire the Euro Hawk for SIGINT, based
upon the Global Hawk platform, with Germany developing the
SIGINT avionics. Development began in 2005, and the first test
flight was conducted in California on 29 June 2010. 334
With regard to C2, the GAF has always been a strong proponent
of centralised control over NATO aerial forces. To overcome
the divisions between the different command posts for air defence
and offensive air operations within NATO, the GAF by the 1980s
already supported the development of the allied ACCS. It provides
a single C2 structure for composite air operations combining defensive,
offensive, and supporting air warfare elements of all
NATO nations in Central Europe. 335 After an extended development
phase, ACCS is being introduced as an integral part of Air
Force Structure 6. 336 This thrust towards network-centric warfare
is further enhanced through the introduction of MIDS Link-16
terminals on all major weapon systems, including the remaining
Tornado aircraft. 337
Moreover, parallel to the adoption of Air Force Structure 5 and
6, the tactical air control service has been fundamentally modernised
and cut by half. Despite this reduction, a qualitative capability
improvement is expected, and in line with Germany’s thrust
towards expeditionary warfare, a deployable air surveillance capability
is being established. 338