desider - Issue 37 - June 2011 PDF

8 news
NEWSREEL
Nimrod R1
under review
THE extension of the
life of the Nimrod R1
surveillance aircraft,
taken in response to
the conflict in Libya,
will be kept under
review, Minister for
Defence Equipment,
Support and
Technology Peter
Luff has said. The
aircraft was due to
be withdrawn from
service on 1 April
but was extended
for three months.
Contractual talks
have not been
completed but
anticipated cost is
likely to be around
£4 million. Two
C-130K Hercules
were also extended
for one month
costing around
£15,000 while HMS
Cumberland was
extended for 16 days
at a cost of £575,000.
Libya firings
UP to 24 April UK
forces had fired
around 170 air-tosurface
munitions
and a number of
ship-to-surface
missiles, according
to figures released in
Parliament.
Paper replies
NEARLY 150 written
responses were sent
to the MOD as part of
public consultation
on the equipment,
support and
technology Green
Paper last year.
There were also 200
comments on the
dedicated website.
The White Paper is
due later this year.
Clearer vision
RAF fast jet pilot
training is even
more representative
of flying front-line
aircraft after an
upgrade to the
existing software
on the Hawk T2
aircraft. Work to
install Operational
Capability 2 has
already begun at
RAF Valley.
ROYAL NAVY helicopter personnel have
returned from operations in Afghanistan
praising the performance of their Lynx
Mk9A aircraft.
Yeovilton-based 847 Naval Air
Squadron operated from Camp Bastion for
four months after converting to the Mk9A
with engines that provide an all-year round
capability.
Along with the performance upgrade,
the 7.62 mm General Purpose Machine
Gun has been replaced with the 0.5 inch
M3M, which has a longer range, improved
accuracy and multi-role ammunition.
This weapon, combined with the MX-15
surveillance camera system, has provided
a significantly enhanced capability to
provide top cover to patrols transporting
supplies to the troops.
The squadron’s commander, Lieutenant
Commander Andrew Riggall, said: “I would like to
think that we have acquitted ourselves well and the
difference the new Lynx has made in terms of power,
armament and surveillance capability has been
remarkable.”
Reaper squadron to land
at a new UK home
A neW Reaper squadron is to
form at RAF Waddington next
year meaning the remotely piloted
aircraft over Afghanistan will be
controlled from the uK for the first
time.
The aircraft – which last month
passed 20,000 hours of operational
support in Afghanistan – will
continue to be based in theatre.
overall delivery of additional
Reaper capability is being managed
by De&s’ unmanned Air
systems team. Team leader
Jonathan Barratt said:
“The establishment of a
future Reaper operating
base at RAF Waddington
is a significant challenge
requiring a cross-Defence
Lines of Development
approach and creation of a
virtual uK Reaper team.
“Drawing on
essential contributions
from Director iss, Defence
infrastructure organisation,
Force Headquarters at RAF
Waddington and Hq 2 group,
that team has formed up
and already made a strong
start in ensuring that the
essential infrastructure and
communications solution is in
place to receive the new Reaper
ground control stations from the
second half of 2012 onwards.”
Reaper carries out a wide
range of missions currently
controlled by RAF crews at
Lynx Mk9A earns highest praise
Lynx in Afghanistan
Creech Air Force Base in
nevada. Reaper can use its
sensors day and night to spy
on insurgent activity for hours
at a time and at a range where
they are undetectable from the
ground.
Chief of the Air staff, Air
Chief Marshal sir stephen
Dalton, said: “This transition
will bring Reaper mission
control to the uK, make more
efficient and effective use of
our resources in exploiting this
growing capability and enable
The Lynx Mk 9A is a true multi-role helicopter
and during their tour 847 NAS conducted support
helicopter escort to ground troops, convoy overwatch,
reconnaissance for ground forces and close
air support. The aircraft was also used to move
essential equipment around Helmand Province.
Reaper, above, in Kandahar while,
left, a controller in theatre takes
Reaper airborne before handing
over to a pilot in the US
the operation of significantly
more combat intelligence,
surveillance, target acquisition
and reconnaissance aircraft over
Afghanistan 24 hours a day.”
Defence secretary Dr Liam
Fox added: “The formation of the
squadron follows our doubling
of the Reaper capability to
ten aircraft which represents
increased investment of £135
million. This extra squadron will
help us get the best out of this
valuable armed reconnaissance
aircraft.”