Airforces Monthly - February 2017
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UNITED KINGDOM: ISTAR REVIEW<br />
Right: The RAF E-3D fleet is in line for a significant upgrade, although the proposal has made it a target for<br />
cost-cutting following November’s grounding. Peter R. Foster Below: It is expected that 100 crews will be<br />
required as the RAF moves towards its new Protector capability. Crown Copyright<br />
role operating in support of the UK Special<br />
Forces (UKSF) and intelligence services. The<br />
Shadow is believed to be the UK equivalent<br />
of the USAF’s MC-12W Liberty tactical<br />
ISTAR aircraft, which were reported to be<br />
equipped with a mix of electro-optical and<br />
signals intelligence sensors. After first<br />
being used by 5 (AC) Squadron, they were<br />
taken under the control of 14 Squadron.<br />
In Afghanistan they operated in support<br />
of UKSF to target high-ranking insurgent<br />
leaders. It seems they have since moved<br />
to Iraq to carry out a similar task, although<br />
for security reasons the UK MOD is unable<br />
to confirm any information about their<br />
role, deployments or equipment fit.<br />
Boeing E-3D Sentry AEW1<br />
The Sentry, which entered service 25 years<br />
ago, is the stalwart of the RAF ISTAR Force.<br />
It was originally purchased to be the heart<br />
of the UK’s air defence network, providing<br />
early warning of Soviet air attack, and since<br />
the end of the Cold War in 1991 has taken<br />
on new and unexpected roles. Its distinctive<br />
rotating dome containing a Northrop<br />
Grumman AN/APY-2 radar gives the E-3D<br />
the ability to monitor thousands of square<br />
miles of airspace, enabling it to provide<br />
a theatre-wide view of air activity. This<br />
capability means controllers on the Sentry<br />
have been at the centre of choreographing<br />
UK air operations in foreign war zones<br />
and over British sovereign airspace. As<br />
well as being a key command and control<br />
asset, the Sentry’s radar and electronic<br />
support measures (ESM) equipment are<br />
strategic intelligence-gathering assets that<br />
are able to build up electronic orders of<br />
battle of both enemy air and naval forces.<br />
A major upgrade was ‘unfunded’ in the<br />
2010 SDSR, meaning the RAF aircraft are<br />
no longer of a comparable configuration<br />
to US, French and NATO E-3s. In recent<br />
years the UK’s E-3D fleet has been plagued<br />
by serviceability problems, and last<br />
November all the aircraft were grounded<br />
for ‘electrical wiring’ issues to be rectified.<br />
They are being inspected and a decision<br />
will then be made on repairs. Some<br />
reports suggest at least one airframe<br />
could be withdrawn from service.<br />
Supporting the frontline ISTAR squadron<br />
are a number of specialised units, including<br />
the operational conversion unit, 54 (Reserve)<br />
Squadron, for the Sentinel, Shadow and<br />
Sentry, based at Waddington. Training<br />
for the Reaper and RC-135 currently takes<br />
place in the US. Operational test and<br />
evaluation is the responsibility of the<br />
Waddington-based 56 (Reserve) Squadron.<br />
The ISTAR Force Headquarters is not<br />
responsible for the fast jet photographic<br />
40 FEBRUARY <strong>2017</strong> #347
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