In the wake of the "Wasp" at the site appeared: ZRK C-75М3, C-125М1, export versions of mobile KAMVAD and Krug. In 1991, through the "fraternal republics" of the former USSR, the newest in those times were delivered to the USA: Buk-М1 and Tor systems, С-300В and С-300ПТ / ПС air defense systems.
Soviet-made fighters underwent deep testing, whereas previously Americans had mostly tested airplanes with an “export” version BREO, then at the beginning of the 90's they had the opportunity to test combat vehicles similar to those in the Soviet Air Force. In Florida, the following were observed: MiG-21UM, MiG-21bis, MiG-23ML, MiG-29 and, according to some sources, even Su-27.
Private MiG-21UM, owned by a private aviation Draken International, at Eglin Air Base
The fate of Soviet-made fighters was different. Relatively new cars were canned in hangars or hidden from prying eyes in the back of the landfill, where they are still waiting in the wings. Airplanes representing historical value, replenished the expositions of aviation museums or were sold to collectors. In the United States, about fifty flying MiGs are in the hands of aviation enthusiasts and in the fleets of private aviation companies that provide combat training services. Unclaimed Soviet fighters served as donors for spare parts or were used at targets as targets along with decommissioned American aircraft.
Fragments of MiG-23, F-89D Scorpion and A-4A Skyhawk on the outskirts of the Eglin landfill
To the east of the main facilities of the air base there is a site where Soviet-made equipment is assembled. There are several dozen different types of military equipment and weapons, including: Tanks T-55, T-62 and T-72, BMP and armored personnel carriers, artillery pieces of various calibers and self-propelled guns, as well as Zilka Zilka, mobile air defense systems Osa, self-propelled launchers and guidance stations ZRS S-300P, air defense systems Square "And" Circle ".
Google Earth satellite image: parking of Soviet-made equipment in the vicinity of the Eglin test site
At least five self-propelled launchers of the Elbrus OTRK with P-17 missiles can be seen on satellite images. Several P-12, P-18, P-19 and P-35 / 37 radars are stored on the outskirts of the site. Among the trees you can observe the glider of the aircraft, strongly resembling the Su-27. The launchers of the C-75, C-300PT and MLRS Grad systems are well distinguished between large hangars. One can only guess what is hidden from prying eyes inside the hangars themselves.
Satellite image of Google Earth: PU С-75, С-300ПТ and MLRS Grad
When preparing the publication, I was unable to find information from where and when such an impressive collection of Soviet military equipment and weapons appeared on the base of the airbase. Most likely, the source of income was the countries of Eastern Europe and the CIS, and something is a trophy captured in the Middle East.
Google Earth satellite image: SPU C-300PS, P-19 radar, Shilka ZSU and Elbrus PTRC parked in the vicinity of the Eglin test site
However, the choice of the place of storage of equipment on the outskirts of a landfill in Florida with a hot and humid climate seems rather strange. For long-term storage of military equipment, especially such "gentle" as the air defense system and radar, the conditions of California, New Mexico, Nevada or Arizona would be more suitable.
However, at the Eglin airbase not only Soviet and Russian equipment is studied. It regularly examines samples of weapons from the US allies. At the test site in the past, Israeli aviation ammunition was repeatedly tested. The following radars were tested: the Swedish GIRAFFE Mk IV and Ground Master 403 manufactured by ThalesRaytheonSystems.
Google Earth satellite image: Eurofighter Typhoon fighter at Eglin airbase
Florida was visited by: French Dassault Mirage 2000, British Sea Harrier FRS Mk.2, Israeli F-15I and “European» Eurofighter Typhoon. The purpose of the stay of foreign-made aircraft, as a rule, was twofold. They practiced combat use at the site and at the same time were tested in comparison with combat aircraft of the Air Force and the US Navy.
Currently, the Eglin airbase is the largest test center for aviation ammunition in the United States. It is here that the US Air Force Armaments Laboratory and test site is located. The landfill now occupies the territory of 1160 km². Part of the landfill is the sea area of 340 000 km², where rocket firing at air targets and test launches of cruise missiles take place.
Testing and evaluating the effectiveness of new types of aircraft and avionics assigned to the 96-e test aircraft wing of the US Air Force. This unit, which is not part of the flight, is responsible for the technical, organizational and medical support of the landfill, the provision of security measures, information and fire safety measures. The personnel of the 96 Air Wing is engaged in the preparation of targets at the test site, the equipment and transportation of the tested aircraft ammunition.
April 1 The 1965 Fighter Wing was formed on the Eglin airbase on April 33. In the arsenal of this aviation unit until 1982, consisted of "Phantoms" modifications F-4C / D / E. From the beginning of the 80 to the 2012 of the year, the pilots of the 33 of the wing of the wing of the F-15A / B / C / D. In 2009, the air wing was appointed head unit for commissioning the F-35 fighter jets. The first of the 59 F-35 arrived at the Eglin airbase from the factory airfield of Fort Worth, Texas 14 July 2011 of the year.
The 58 th Fighter Squadron of the Air Force on the F-35A and the 101 th KMP attack squadron, where the F-35С is operated, are responsible for training pilots of other aviation units, operational evaluation and development of methods for the maintenance and combat use of aircraft. In these divisions, further flight and technical personnel should be trained for foreign customers of F-35.
The 49 Test Assessment Squadron is used to evaluate the effectiveness, reliability and operational suitability of precision weapons and the development of the use of nuclear aircraft ammunition.
At the disposal of this unit at the Eglin airbase are: F-15, F-16C / D and A-10C. Other aircraft divisions are also involved in the tests: В-1В, В-2А, В-52Н, МС-130W / J, F-22A, F-35А / С.
The headquarters of the 53 test wing is located at Eglin. This unit is the coordination center of the Air Force in the organization of operational tests, evaluation of weapons and on-board equipment of combat aircraft, the development of simulators, chemical protection, aerial reconnaissance equipment, electronic warfare and unmanned targets. The command of the 53 Air Wing is responsible for the operation and safety of using radio-controlled QF-4 and QF-16. Among the aircraft weapons tested in the 53 WG: air-based cruise missiles, guided and free-fall bombs. According to the test results, aircraft wing specialists develop methodological instructions, instructions and tactical recommendations for combat use.
Google Earth Satellite Image: MC-130E at Duke Field
In 30 km north of the main structures of the airbase at the Duke Field airfield, also known as the “Additional flight field of the Eglin airbase No. 3”, the 919-I operational air group of special operations is deployed. In the second half of the 90-x, this unit, armed with AC-130А “guilds” and HH-3E helicopters, switched to specially modified aircraft supporting the covert operations of the MC-130E Combat Talon I. At the moment, the MC-130E aircraft are withdrawn from operation and transferred to storage in Davis Montand.
MC-130E
A unique feature of the aviation unit stationed at the Duke Field airfield is that it has a large proportion of reservists, which is not typical of special operations forces. First of all, this applies to technical and maintenance personnel. However, despite belonging to the Command of Special Operations Forces, most of the aircraft of the 919 Air Group are engaged in transport and passenger traffic and are engaged in routine activities to ensure the life of the American special forces around the world. This may be the transportation of special equipment, spare parts and ammunition, passenger transport and evacuation of the wounded.
In the past, transport aircraft of the 919 th air group were repeatedly involved in emergency delivery of goods to natural disaster areas or for evacuating American citizens from hot spots around the world. In 2008, several C-130Hs were equipped for transportation and deployment in the MQ-1 Predator UAV special operations zone (currently replaced by the MQ-9 Reaper).
In addition to transport "Hercules" and drones PZL C-145A Skytruck aircraft are also based at the Duke Field airfield. The S-145 is a modernized version of the An-28 short takeoff and landing light transport aircraft. In the late 70s, the production of An-28 was launched at the PZL plant in the city of Mielec. In the mid-90s, after being equipped with 6 hp Pratt & Whitney Canada PT65А-1100В engines, Hartzell five-bladed propellers and modern Western-made avionics, the aircraft received the designation PZL М28 Skytruck.
C-145A
In 2007, the PZL plant in Mielec was acquired by Sikorsky Aircraft, which opened up the possibility of supplying a light transport vehicle to the US Air Force. American special forces use 11 light transport aircraft built in Poland.
C-145A can operate from unpaved airfields with a length of 500 meters. An aircraft with a maximum mass of 7500 kg is capable of carrying 19 passengers (16 armed paratroopers). Maximum speed - 355 km / h. Flight range - 1600 km.
Light transport and passenger C-145А were used to deliver cargo and passengers to poorly prepared field lanes in the Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan and Pakistan. 18 December 2011goda С-145А from the 919-th air group of special operations crashed while landing at Volan Rabat airfield. With a gust of wind, the plane was thrown down, after which he skapotiroval. Onboard there was a crew member 3 and a passenger 4. Despite the fact that the aircraft could not be restored, they all survived.
At the Helbert Aerodrome, which is 13 km west of the main Eglin runway, is also based aviation units of special operations forces. Initially, Republic-Ford JB-1944 cruise missiles, which were replicas of the German V-2, were tested from X-NUMX on the coast of the Gulf of Mexico. Later, the test launch site of the MIM-1 Nike-Hercules SAMs, CIM-14 Bomar’s unmanned interceptors and MGM-10 Mace cruise missiles was located not far from the runway.
Launch of MGM-13 cruise missile
The ground-based MGM-13 cruise missile, commissioned in the 1959 year, was a classic projectile equipped with a turbojet engine. The launch range was 2000 km, the speed of 1000 km / h at an altitude of 12000 m. Due to the high vulnerability to air defense systems, the service of cruise missiles was not long. Already in 1969, they were removed from service and converted into aerial targets.
After the reconstruction of the runway at the Helbert airfield in the middle of the 50s, the B-57 Canberra bombers were located here. A few years later, "Kanderry" changed the B-66 Destroyer. But they were also not based in Florida for a long time, soon most of the bombers were converted into aerial surveyors and EW airplanes, after which they were sent to advanced air bases in Asia and Europe.
In April, the 1961-I tactical squadron was formed at 4400 of the year at the Helbert airfield. From the very beginning, this part was intended for conducting anti-insurgency activities. There were almost all types of special combat aircraft and helicopters created to fight partisans in the jungle of Indochina. The secret training center formed at the airbase at different times trained foreign crews from South Vietnam, Congo, Bolivia, El Salvador, Colombia and other countries where anti-government rebels operated. At present, the Helbert airfield is an important link in the organization of the life of the American special forces. There are several educational institutions where junior and middle command personnel of special units and intelligence officers are trained.
The 2 Squadron of Special Operations is armed with MQ-9 Reaper strike and reconnaissance drones. This unit was formed relatively recently - in the 2009 year, when the Special Operations Command came to the conclusion that the special forces needed their own drones acting only in its interests.
In service with the 5 squadron of special operations are the Pilatus U-28А aircraft. The U-28A is a version of the turboprop single-engine business class aircraft Pilatus PC-12 modified for the USAF. The aircraft with a maximum take-off weight of 4750 kg has a range of 3350 km and is capable of developing a maximum speed of 528 km / h. Load capacity - 1150 kg of cargo or 9 passengers.
U-28A
The special operations command has purchased 28 U-28 aircraft. Apparently, the Pilatuses are used as air focal points, observation and reconnaissance aircraft. In 2012, one U-28A aircraft, which was carrying out a reconnaissance mission, crashed in Djibouti, in 10 km from the American military base Camp Lemonnier. Both the pilot and two reconnaissance operators aboard died.
711-I squadron of special operations for a long time operated military transport and special "Hercules" of various models. Now this unit is in the process of re-equipment on new equipment. Perhaps this will be the new MC-130J Combat Commando II.
MC-130J Combat Commando II
This model is designed to support the actions of special forces at a considerable distance from their bases. The aircraft is not only capable of refueling other aircraft, but it can also strike ground targets with GBU-44 / B Viper small-sized guided munitions or AGM-176 Griffin missiles. Point targets can be hit by the onboard 30-mm GAU-23 / 30 Bushmaster II cannon.
Google Earth Satellite Image: CV-22 Converters at Helbert Aerodrome
On the Helbert airfield, X-ray converters from the 2010 of the year are based on CV-22 Osprey 413 th flight test squadron of the 46 th wing test. Osprey, combining the merits of a helicopter and a light transport aircraft, roughly 10 years ago pushed the MH-53J and MH-53М heavy transport helicopters into the air force.
On the territory of the airbase there is the only US Air Force Weapon Museum. It was opened in the 1975 year and was originally located in the former building of one of the educational buildings in the north-eastern part of Eglin. Now the museum occupies the site at the intersection of highways at the southwestern tip of the airbase, approximately 1 km from the airfield runway.
The visiting cards of the museum are mock-ups of heavy T-12 and GBU-43 MOAB air bombs. The 12, developed in 1944 to destroy well-protected bunkers, weighed 20100 kg and contained about 8000 kg of torpex.
Google Earth Satellite Image: Air Force Arms Museum at Eglin
In addition to the flint guns of the civil war, visitors can see a variety of examples of small-arms weapons in a specially built hangar. Starting from dueling pistols and ending with the monstrous 30-mm GAU-8 aircraft cannon.
Plan of the Museum of Air Force Weapons
The P-47N Thunderbolt and F-51D Mustang piston fighters of the Second World War and the first American jet fighter that took part in the P-80С Shooting Star fighting were installed in a closed hangar.
"Shooting Star" with a tail number 10-LO fought in Korea as part of the 51 th Fighter Wing. According to US data, 8 November 1950, the lieutenant Russell J. Brown shot down on it the first MiG-15. After the war, the aircraft was transferred to the Air Force of Uruguay, where he served until 1970, then returned back to the United States and saved as part of historical heritage.
Around the F-105D Thunderchief fighter-bomber with the JV-771 tail number and the "Ohio Express" inscription on the fuselage that made 200 combat sorties in Vietnam, various types of guided and unguided aircraft are located. There are also suspended sighting and viewing containers and laser range finders, target designators, ranging from the earliest models to those in service. Inside the museum there is a rich collection of cruise missiles and unmanned aerial vehicles, from the American version of the V-1 projectile to the Tomahawk cruise missiles.
At the museum’s external exposition, more than 30 copies of various aviation equipment and weapons are displayed. The oldest are: TB-25J Mitchell and B-17G Flying Fortress. Mitchell, exhibited for public viewing, is notable for the fact that this training aircraft, used to train navigators-scorers, was the last B-25 piston used by the Air Force before 1960.
TB-25J at the Museum of Aviation Weapons
“Flying Fortresses”, converted into radio-controlled targets, regularly rose into the air at the Eglin airbase until the beginning of the 70-s. Despite this, not a single copy has been preserved in Florida. B-17G, represented in the museum, served as an aircraft for the forest protection service until 1975, and was transferred to Aero Union Corporation, a private aviation company.
B-17G
Next to the “Flying Fortress” is an EB-57B Canberra electronic warfare aircraft. This vehicle was used during the fighting in Indochina and was sent to the museum from the 8 bomber squadron of the National Guard Air Force in 1975 year.
EB-57B
The largest exhibits of the museum collection are the RB-47H Stratojet and the B-52G Stratofortress. Intelligence "Stratodzhet" served until the end of the 1967 of the year, after which he was sent to Davis Montan, where he stayed until July of the 1968 of the year. The plane would inevitably be cut into metal if it had not been attracted to the F-111 bomber fighter test program. In the bow of the RB-47H installed radome with a radar, designed for F-111. In this form, the plane flew to 1976 year, after which it was returned to its original state and transferred to the museum.
B-52G
B-52G, built in 1959 year, originally served as part of the 4135-th strategic air wing and for some time based at the Eglin airbase. His last place of permanent service was Barksdale Air Base in Louisiana. The strategic bomber took its place in the museum exposition in August 1991 after participating in Operation Desert Storm. Next to the B-52G is the AGM-28 Hound Dog air-launched cruise missile.
In the museum's collection there are several aircraft used in Viet Nam to counter the partisans. A much larger collection of such vehicles is available in the memorial complex at Helbert Aerodrome, located nearby, since initially the 4400-I tactical squadron deployed there was armed with anti-guerrilla attack aircraft and “ganships”. But the memorial complex of the airport "Helbert" because of its special status is closed for free to visit.
AC-130A
The pearl of the collection of the Air Force Museum is the AC-130A Specter. It was the first armed "gunboat" on the basis of the military transport "Hercules". The aircraft was transferred to the museum from the 711 squadron of special operations in 1995 year.
O-2A
Exposed light armed reconnaissance spotter O-2A Skymaster after the end of the Indochina war was disarmed and sold at auction. The aircraft for a long period of time was used for the delivery of mail and as aerotaxi. In 2009, the O-2A was bought by the museum and the old look was restored.
In 1976, the last NC-47D Skytrain electronic reconnaissance aircraft that was in service came from the Lakehurst air base in Eglin. It was used for a long time in the process of testing anti-ship missiles and various radio engineering aviation systems. After the flight to Eglin, special equipment was dismantled from the aircraft and the AC-47 Spooky was given the appearance of a ganship.
NC-47D, converted to AC-47, at the exhibition site of the Museum of Aviation Armament in Eglin
The administration of the museum managed to save the C-131A Samaritan twin-engine transport-passenger aircraft from being shot at the training ground. In the late 40s, this machine was designed as a flying hospital and for the transport of VIPs. The C-131A carried 39 passengers or 20 stretchers with six escorts. The aircraft was powered by two Pratt & Whitney R-2800 -99 piston engines with an output of 2500 hp. each. The maximum speed is 472 km / h. Flight range - 725 km.
C-131A
After the start of mass production, the scope of use of "Samaritan" was significantly expanded. Under the designation HC-131A, it was used by the coast guard. JC-131B was intended for tracking missile launches. Turboprop engines were tested on C-131H. The most unusual looking flying laboratory with an elongated bow of the NC-131H.
NC-131H
The C-131 was the first aircraft on which six-barrel rifle-caliber machine guns mounted from one side were tested at the Eglin. Although this machine was never used in hostilities, it was the peaceful "Samaritan" that became the prototype of all American "ganships". The aircraft was also used to test various aviation electronics and in the training of navigators for the Air Force. But more often than not, as one would expect, the Samaritan was involved in the routine transport and passenger traffic. The C-131 service in the United States Air Force continued until the 1990 year.
In Vietnam, American “flying gunboats” operating over the “Ho Chi Minh Trail” sometimes became victims of anti-aircraft artillery and SA-75 air defense missile systems. There have been meetings with Vietnamese fighters. The ex-Indonesian MiG-21F-13 is presented at the exhibition.
MiG-21F-13 in the museum exposition
Until 1988, this fighter flew in the 4477 test Red Eagles test squadron at Groom Lake Air Base in Nevada. However, a number of American aviation historians indicate that MiGs flew in Florida.
SR-71A
In 1990, the museum received the SR-71A Blackbird high-speed scout in its collection. The Blackbirds flew in the Air Force to 1998, a few more machines were used to 1999 in NASA experiments.
F-86F
The museum has a large part of the fighter jets that once belonged to the United States Air Force, with the exception of the 5 generation fighters. F-84F Thunderstreak, F-86F Saber, F-89D Scorpion, F-100С Super Saber, F-101B Voodoo, F-104C Phantom II, RF-4C Phantom II, RF-4C Phantom II, RF-15C Phantom II, RF-16C Phantom II, RF-10C Phantom II, RF-111C Phantom II, RF-4C 33AEagle, F-XNUMXA Fighting Falcon. Also along with the fighters are posted: A-XNUMXA Thunderbolt II attack aircraft, F-XNUMXE Aardvark attack, RF-XNUMXC Phantom II reconnaissance aircraft and training T-XNUMX Shooting Star.
Of the cruise missiles in addition to the already mentioned AGM-28 Hound Dog, the museum has AGM-109 Tomahawk, CGM-13 Mace and the unmanned interceptor CIM-10 Bomarc. A rare instance in the collection is the drone MQM-105 Aquila. The development of this device was started by Lockheed in the middle of the 70's. Testing of the UAV began in December 1983.
UAV MQM-105 in the Museum of Air Force weapons
During flight tests, the unit weighing kg 150 with a hp 24 piston engine. I reached 210 km / h and could stay in the air for 3 hours. The payload in the form of reconnaissance equipment or weapons was 52 kg. In 80, Air Force generals preparing for a big war using supersonic bomber armadas did not understand the role of drones. A small drone with a low-power piston engine was perceived as an expensive toy and the program was canceled in the middle of the 80-x. The revision of the views on the UAV from the US military did not take place immediately, even after the Israelis successfully used the IAI Scout and Tadiran Mastiff UAVs to crack the Syrian air defense system in 1982.
UH-1M
In 1999, the Air Force Weapons Museum acquired a UH-1M Iroquois helicopter, modified for night flights and participating in the Vietnam War. Another helicopter in the museum’s exposition is the MH-53M Pave Low IV.
MH-53M
This museum copy is notable for the fact that it is the only one of all the exhibits arrived at the exhibition site on its own. The active service of this MH-53M ended on September 5 of the year 2008. In the past, the helicopter was used by American special forces and its permanent base was the Helbert airfield.
To be continued ...
Based on:
http://www.airwar.ru/enc/attack/pa48.html
http://www.afarmamentmuseum.com/
http://www.airfields-freeman.com/FL/Airfields_FL_Eglin.htm
http://www.designation-systems.net/dusrm/app5/wcmd.html
https://theaviationist.com/tag/eglin-air-force-base/page/3/
http://www.baaa-acro.com/2011/archives/crash-of-a-pzl-mielec-c-145a-skytruck-in-walan-rabat/