Features of combat training of pilots of the Air Force and the US Navy. Who are American pilots preparing to fight with?
During the Cold War, there were special aviation units, the main purpose of which was the training and training of pilots of combat squadrons in the techniques of close air combat with fighters armed with countries of the eastern bloc. During the war in Southeast Asia, instructors from the US Navy's fighter combat training school (TOPGUN) flew the A-4 Skyhawk, which was the closest to the North Vietnamese MiG-17F in terms of maneuverability. In the 1980s, as part of the Constant Peg secret program, Soviet and Chinese-made combat aircraft were used for training: MiG-17, MiG-21, MiG-23, J-7 (Chinese copy of the MiG-21), as well as Israeli Kfir C fighters .1 and American F-5E / F Tiger II. In the 1990s, Americans had the opportunity to familiarize themselves with the MiG-29 fighters in detail. Several 4th-generation Soviet-made fighter jets received from countries that were part of the Department of Internal Affairs and the former republics of the USSR were tested in test centers and participated in training air battles. But the leadership of the U.S. military in the 21st century found it inappropriate to constantly operate MiGs in combat squadrons designed to indicate a conditional air enemy.
After the liquidation of the Warsaw Pact and the collapse of the USSR due to a decrease in international tensions, the Red Eagles and Aggressors aviation units that existed in the US air force and naval aviation were eliminated. However, taking into account the fact that for planes of carrier-based aviation, the risk of collision with enemy fighters is much higher than that of airplanes based on land airfields, the admirals decided to revive squadrons equipped with fighters different from those in service with the Air Force and Navy. This was done to ensure that combatant pilots could train in training air battles with fighters that they were not familiar with, which had to develop the ability to withstand a non-standard air enemy. Already in 1996, the naval squadron VFC-13, based at Fallon airbase in Nevada, where the US Navy pilots training center TOPGUN is also located, was re-equipped with re-equipped and lightweight F-5E / F fighters. Currently, the extremely worn-out F-5E / F buildings of the second half of the 1970-s are almost completely superseded by the modernized F-5N aircraft. As of 2018 year, the number of aircraft 13 was in VFC-23.
In the second half of 2006, a squadron of VFC-111 was formed at the US Navy's Ki West air base in Florida, currently equipped with seventeen single-seater F-5N and one double-seater F-5F. Fighters of this type are also part of the training squadron of USMF VMFT-401 fighter jets at the Hume Marine Corps Air Base in Arizona.
Speaking about the existing squadrons, intended to designate enemy fighters in close combat, it is worthwhile to consider in more detail the aircraft on which they fly. Traditionally, since the mid 1970-ies of the Air Force, the Navy and the USMC used light fighter F-5E / F Tiger II. In terms of their maneuverability, the Tigers were closest to the MiG-21. In the squadron "Aggressors" were selected the best pilots and it is not surprising that they quite often won in training fights with much more modern F-14, F-15 and F-16. Northrop has passed the most recent F-5E / F in 1987 year. To date, the age of the aircraft has exceeded three decades and large investments are required to maintain them in flight condition. In addition, most of the existing "Tigers" due to the development of operational resource is in the final stages of the life cycle.
Due to budgetary constraints, the US Air Force broke up with the latest Tigers in the early 1990's. After that, the F-5E / F were operated only in the naval training squadrons. To maintain the required minimum strength of the fighter fleet in the Aggressor units in 2000, it was decided to buy out the Tigers that are being withdrawn from service in Switzerland. Aircraft F-5E / F, built in Switzerland under a license, were in very good technical condition and had a relatively small raid. Initially, a batch of 32 aircraft was acquired, but after Key West decided to create another training squadron, in 2004, the Navy Command signed an agreement for an additional supply of 12 aircraft.
Modernization of the former Swiss F-5E corporation engaged Northrop Grumman. During the restoration work, a part of the fuselage is replaced. A new navigation system and an integrated multi-function display have been introduced into the onboard electronic equipment. This can significantly improve the ability of the pilot to navigate and understand situational awareness. With the aircraft dismantled weapons and equipment necessary for its use, which has saved weight. The upgraded aircraft additionally installed systems for fixing various flight information, weapons simulation with the ability to distribute missile launch points, fix the target and evaluate the effectiveness of the simulated weapons.
The first modernized aircraft took off on November 25 2008 of the year and entered the 401 th Marine Corps Fighter Squadron (VMFT-401) 9 December 2008, the second F-5N was delivered to the 111-th mixed squadron in Key West. At the end of 2010, the management of Northrop Grumman Corporation announced the execution of a contract for the overhaul and modernization of the F-5N aircraft.
However, the Tigers are far from the only type of aircraft used by the US military to imitate enemy aircraft. Back in 1985, the US Navy ordered a batch of extremely lightweight and specially modified F-29N fighter jets to simulate air combat training of Soviet MiG-16. All the weapons and gun units were dismantled from the aircraft, and a simplified avionics were installed. On the F-16N mounted sensors and monitoring and recording equipment, allowing to record training battles in detail. For the manufacture of aircraft of this modification used F-16C / D Block 30. In total, 26 aircraft were built, of which 22 are single F-16Ns and four are double TF-16Ns.
Operation of the F-16N in the naval training squadrons continued from 1988 to 1998 year. Such a short lifespan is due to the fact that during the training tasks the planes intensively maneuvered with the maximum permissible overloads, and after 10 years since the start of operation, most of the vehicles had cracks in the wing and fuselage elements. In the 2002, the F-16N was replaced with the F-16A / B, originally intended for Pakistan. The deal with Islamabad was blocked after it became aware of the development of Pakistan’s nuclear weapons program. Aircraft taken from the storage base of Davis Montand, have been reworked at Lockheed Martin in Fort Worth, Texas. From the former Pakistani F-16, the armament suspension units and the gun, as well as the weapon control equipment were removed. Connected and navigation equipment was changed, and the fuselage and wings, based on the operating experience of the F-16N, were enhanced.
F-16 fighters flying in the TOPGUN aviation school carry an unusual color uncharacteristic of Air Force and Navy fighters. TOPGUN is the only naval aviation unit where F-16 lightweight single-engine fighters are used, depicting Russian MiG-29 in training battles.
Until recently, the X-NUMX F-14 fighters were based on Fallon airbase. In addition to the "Tigers" and "Fighting Falcons", the F / A-16A / B Hornet and F / A-18E / F Super Hornet fighter planes, as well as the E-18C Hawkeye DRLO aircraft, are operated at the TOPGUN training center.
Although the US Navy and the United States Emergency Commission for the organization of air combat training uses specially modified fighters much more widely than the Air Force, it is clearly not enough for all naval aviation fighter pilots to have a stable melee air combat skill.
In order to visualize the enemy's air, in a number of combat and reserve deck squadrons, F / A-18A / B and F / A-18E / F aircraft were camouflaged close to that used by Russian Su-35C fighters. So, for example, at the Oshane airbase in Virginia, F / A-18A fighter-bombers of the VFC-12 reserve training squadron are camouflaged in a similar way. Aircraft of this unit, acting on the exercises as a conditional enemy, received "destructive camouflage" and red stars on their keels in the 2012 year. Their opponents in training air battles in most cases are deck "Hornets" and "Super Hornets". Practically every year, joint flight training exercises with the Allied countries are organized in the USA. In 2018, 12 of the French carrier-based fighter jets Rafale M, which took part in joint maneuvering with American aircraft, arrived at Oshane airbase.
In an official press release on the results of joint exercises, it is stated that the parties achieved close cooperation during the flights and gained valuable experience during joint maneuvering. However, in unofficial sources based on the impressions of the direct participants in the air battles, it is said that in certain maneuvers the French fighters at certain times had an advantage over the Americans, and some flight modes are inaccessible even for the very modern F / A-18E / F Super Hornet, which The present are the basis of American carrier-based aircraft.
However, not only naval aviation and marines use fighters in atypical camouflage to visualize a conditional enemy. At Nellis airbase, located in Nevada, 13 km northeast of Las Vegas is the headquarters of the 57 tactical group (57 ATG), which, in addition to intelligence, communications and information support, until recently had two squadrons Aggressors ": 64-I and 65-I.
The 64 Squadron squadron (64th Aggressor Squadron, abbreviated 64th AGRS) is armed with 24 F-16С. The squadron, known as the 65th Aggressor Squadron, is currently in a state of reorganization. The pilots of this squadron flew the F-15C. Due to budgetary constraints, the future of the 65 Squadron was questionable, in March 2019 of the year, information appeared that the Air Force command decided to keep the Aggressors unit equipped with heavy fighters.
Pilots with the highest qualifications are selected in the 64 and 65 squadrons. They fly on specially modified and lightweight fighters, whose color reproduces the camouflage of combat aircraft of countries considered potential opponents of the United States.
Aircraft 64 th and 65 th squadrons are very actively used in air combat training. According to accepted practice, combat squadrons of the Air Force and the US Navy arrive at the Nellis air base on their aircraft. Also at the site adjacent to the air base, major exercises are annually organized with the participation of combat aircraft of the allied states. Over the past five years, the French Rafale M and Mirage 2000, the German Typhoon and Tornado IDS, the Singapore F-15SG and F-16C / D, and the Czech L-159 have been here.
In a number of sources, there is not officially confirmed information that there was at least one Su-27 fighter and several MiG-29s at Nellis airbase. In September 2017, the publication Aviation Week & Space Technology reported that a Su-27 fighter that took off from Nellis airbase crashed in Nevada. An Air Force spokesman declined to comment on which unit the crashed plane and its type were assigned to.
Given that several squadrons of “Aggressors” that exist in the air force, naval aviation and marine infantry aviation, are not able to organize the necessary training intensity for pilots of the entire existing fighter fleet, in the last decade in the US military in training private aviation companies are actively involved in the process. This was facilitated by the fact that after the end of the Cold War, a large number of combat aircraft from the Air Force of the countries of Eastern Europe and the former Soviet republics, in addition to the test and training centers of the US Department of Defense, fell into the hands of private owners. US law allows, subject to certain procedures, to register them as civil aircraft. So, in December 2009, the company Pride Aircraft, engaged in the restoration of used aircraft, certified two Su-27 fighter jets at the Federal Aviation Administration of the United States.
Also in the park of several private companies there are MiG-29 fighters. Air USA company. Inc is the owner of two thoroughly repaired and demilitarized MiG-29UB parks, exported from Kyrgyzstan. Initially, it was announced that MiGs were acquired for the purpose of performing at air shows and organizing export flights for all comers.
However, the main source of income for Air USA. Inc is by no means an entertainment flight. Air USA is a regular contractor of the US and Canadian defense ministries in the organization of combat training. Currently, about 30 aircraft are assigned to the private Quincy airbase in Illinois: Soviet MiG-21 and MiG-29, Czech L-39 and L-59, Romanian IAR 823, German Alpha Jet and British Hawk.
More than 90% of flights the company performs in the interests of the military. Flight tasks may be very different. This is mainly an imitation of enemy aircraft in close combat, training of air defense calculations, radar testing and testing of EW tasks. In the provision of services to the Air USA military department. Inc works closely with companies: Northrop Grumman, Boeing and BAE. Since 2003, more than 6000 flights have been performed in the interests of military customers. According to the information posted on the company's website, the “successful missions” were 98,7%. We must assume that the "successful mission" means the execution of the flight task.
Another major player in the aviation services market for the air force and fleet is Draken International, which has the world's largest commercial fleet of decommissioned combat aircraft — more than 80 demilitarized fighters, light attack aircraft, and combat training aircraft. Draken International surpasses the air forces of many countries in terms of the size and composition of its fleet.
Draken International acquired the former Israeli A-4N attack aircraft and the New Zealand A-4K attack aircraft, as well as Czech-made L-159E and L-39ZA. These airplanes are equipped with radar radiation warning receivers, electronic jam suppressors and air-to-air and air-to-earth missile simulators with active homing heads.
The register of aircraft of Draken International also includes: Aermacchi MB-339CB, MiG-21bis, MiG-21MF and MiG-21UM. In the interests of the customer, the company's specialists can use a variety of equipment, including simulators, various simulators, radars and EW equipment. This allows, if necessary, to bring training air battles as close as possible to reality.
All aircraft performing flights under contracts with the military department are in very good technical condition and regularly undergo scheduled and reconditioning repairs at the company's enterprise located at Lakeland, Florida airfield.
Since 2014, most of the aircraft fleet of Draken International is permanently located at Nellis airbase. Aircraft L-159E and A-4N / K are opponents in the training of air battles and are used as conditional goals in working out the tasks of long-range interception. Of great value is the ability of these aircraft to fly at extremely low altitude and their high maneuverability. According to the leadership of the US Air Force, these subsonic aircraft adequately reproduce the characteristics of attack aircraft and combat training aircraft, which are in service with the states that received Soviet and Russian aircraft.
The company Draken International mainly provides services for combat training of the Air Force, the fleet chose to conclude a contract with the aviation private company Airborne Tactical Advantage Company (ATAC). The company is headquartered in Newport News, Virginia. In the same place, at the Williamsburg aerodrome, the aircraft engineering is being repaired and serviced. In 2017, ATAC was acquired by Textron Airborne Solutions - a major outsourcing company providing services in the aviation industry.
For the past 20 years, the Airborne Tactical Advantage Company has been engaged in the combat training of pilots of the US Navy, Air Force, and ILC in various areas: air combat, striking surface and ground targets. During this time, ATAS aircraft flew more than 42000 hours in the air. ATAS is the only civilian organization allowed to work in the elite center for training fighter pilots of the US Navy (TOPGUN) and for training F-5 Raptor X-generation fighter pilots of the US Air Force.
The company's fleet for the most part includes aircraft manufactured in 1970-1980-s. Planes bought in different countries for a moderate price, despite a decent age, are in good technical condition and, as a rule, have a large residual resource. The current fleet of the company includes more than 20 aircraft: Israeli-made Kfir C.2 fighters, Hunter Mk.58 subsonic multi-purpose aircraft from the presence of the Swiss Air Force, Czech combat training L-39ZA and Saab 35 Draken of Swedish production, acquired in Austria.
Airborne Tactical Advantage Company aircraft perform tasks in various regions where there are US military airfields. Being on some air bases with fighters in service, they work out a variety of training flight tasks. On an ongoing basis, the aircraft belonging to ATAS are located at air bases: Point Mugu (California), Fallon (Nevada), Kaneohe Bay (Hawaii), Zweibrücken (Germany) and Atsugi (Japan).
Aircraft of different types are involved in a wide range of tasks. Hunter Mk.58 fighter-bombers usually depict enemy attack planes trying to break through to a protected object at a low altitude or leading to electronic suppression of air defense assets. “Hunters” are also used as aerial targets towers. When interacting with warships of the US Navy, ATAS airplanes imitated attacks using anti-ship missiles. To create a suitable jamming environment, Hunter MK.58 and L-39ZA carried containers with EW equipment and a suspended simulator of the French Exocet AM39 PCR, and the Soviet PCR P-15, which reproduces the work of the radio altimeter and the active radar homing head. The choice of simulators of onboard systems of these anti-ship missiles is related to the fact that they are among the most common in the world, and are in service in countries with which the US fleet may encounter.
The presence of electronic warfare equipment and simulators of radar homing heads in interchangeable outboard containers allows, during exercises, to bring the disturbance situation as close to real combat as possible. This allows radar operators and air defense systems to gain the necessary experience. Large-scale exercises using aircraft and equipment belonging to this company are regularly held with the ships and aircraft of the US Navy, both on the west and on the east coast.
In the second half of 1990-x, when ATAS company just started cooperation with the Pentagon, there were MiG-17, A-4 Skyhawk and L-39 Albatros in its aircraft fleet. However, these subsonic aircraft with a small thrust-weight ratio could not imitate modern combat aircraft of a potential enemy in training battles. For this reason, ATAS acquired several used Israeli Kfir C.1 fighters.
In the US, the Kfir C.2 fighters, which are currently piloted by ATAS, are known as the F-21 KFIR. These aircraft, built in 1980-ies, underwent modernization and overhaul, during which weapons were removed from them, airframe elements were strengthened, new navigation and communications equipment and video cameras and removable solid-state drives were installed to record the results of air battles and subsequently carry out detailed debriefing. To fully simulate the combat situation of the company’s aircraft carry EW equipment and suspended simulators of close combat missiles with TGS. This allows for a real seizure of the homing head, which increases the realism and accuracy of the outcome of the fight.
According to American aviation experts, the upgraded Kfirs in their combat capabilities are between the Soviet MiG-21bis and the Chinese J-10. Despite a decent age and a formal technical gap from modern fighters, the F-21 KFIR pilots very often managed to put the American pilots in a difficult position on the F / A-18F and F-15C. Even the superiority of the newest F-22A in the training of air battles was not always unconditional. Some flight regimes of the Kfir fighter jets, built according to the tailless flight scheme with GIP, turned out to be inaccessible to American aircraft. In the 2012 year, according to the results of tests with the F-35В fighter from an experimental batch delivered by the USCM, it was recognized: “a promising fighter built by the Lockheed Martin Corporation needs further improvement and development of air combat techniques”.
To date, pilots flying Kfirs have conducted 2500 hours in the air during training missions, indicating a high intensity of flights and a large number of training battles. Victories in training battles over more modern types of fighters are largely due to the high qualifications and vast experience of ATAS pilots. The main ATAS flight crew is staffed by retired Air Force and Navy pilots who have extensive flight experience and very high qualifications. They used to fly a lot of fighters, who now confront them in training battles. Naturally, the pilots on the Kfir are familiar with the capabilities of most types of fighter planes in service with the United States. At the same time, the main part of the American combatant pilots capabilities and characteristics of the Kfirov are not known. In addition, unlike combatant pilots of the Air Force and Navy, ATAS pilots are not bound by such a number of rules and restrictions.
In addition to playing on the drills for the "bad guys" equipment and ATAS specialists, they also participate in various test and test flights conducted as part of the creation and modernization of missile and aircraft systems and weapons. This approach, which makes it possible to save money on the process of testing new equipment and combat training without losing quality, turned out to be very beneficial for the US Department of Defense. The use of unmanned aircraft in the course of combat training makes it possible to diversify the scenarios of training air battles, save the pilots of combat squadrons from the standard decisions that arise during maneuvering with the same type of aircraft and better prepare them for various situations that may arise in real combat situations. In addition, the cost of the flight time of private companies' airplanes is much cheaper and allows to save the resource of combat fighters. The personnel of private companies working under an agreement with the military department do not have to pay pensions, medical insurance and severance benefits from the state budget. All costs for the maintenance and repair of aircraft participating in training flights are borne by private contractors. A number of experts predict that in the future, private aviation companies working in contact with the military will not only organize training missions, but will also be able to provide aviation support during ground operations by private military companies. They can also be used to control the airspace, in cases where the US government is not interested for one reason or another to use air force or carrier-based aircraft.
Based on open information available regarding the approaches of the Air Force and Naval Aviation Command, it can be concluded that American fighter pilots are taught to resist Soviet, Russian and Chinese combat aircraft. And they are also preparing for a possible collision with the Air Forces of countries equipped with 2-3 generation fighters, which are no longer in service with the United States. At the same time, in addition to the superiority in the flight data of American fighters and the characteristics of aviation weapons of destruction, the emphasis is on tactical training, initiative, and aggressive air combat.
Fighter F-5E from the composition naval training squadron VFC-13
F-5 fighters in US Navy training squadrons
After the liquidation of the Warsaw Pact and the collapse of the USSR due to a decrease in international tensions, the Red Eagles and Aggressors aviation units that existed in the US air force and naval aviation were eliminated. However, taking into account the fact that for planes of carrier-based aviation, the risk of collision with enemy fighters is much higher than that of airplanes based on land airfields, the admirals decided to revive squadrons equipped with fighters different from those in service with the Air Force and Navy. This was done to ensure that combatant pilots could train in training air battles with fighters that they were not familiar with, which had to develop the ability to withstand a non-standard air enemy. Already in 1996, the naval squadron VFC-13, based at Fallon airbase in Nevada, where the US Navy pilots training center TOPGUN is also located, was re-equipped with re-equipped and lightweight F-5E / F fighters. Currently, the extremely worn-out F-5E / F buildings of the second half of the 1970-s are almost completely superseded by the modernized F-5N aircraft. As of 2018 year, the number of aircraft 13 was in VFC-23.
F-5N fighter from the VFC-111 at Key West Air Base. Photo taken in 2014 year
In the second half of 2006, a squadron of VFC-111 was formed at the US Navy's Ki West air base in Florida, currently equipped with seventeen single-seater F-5N and one double-seater F-5F. Fighters of this type are also part of the training squadron of USMF VMFT-401 fighter jets at the Hume Marine Corps Air Base in Arizona.
Speaking about the existing squadrons, intended to designate enemy fighters in close combat, it is worthwhile to consider in more detail the aircraft on which they fly. Traditionally, since the mid 1970-ies of the Air Force, the Navy and the USMC used light fighter F-5E / F Tiger II. In terms of their maneuverability, the Tigers were closest to the MiG-21. In the squadron "Aggressors" were selected the best pilots and it is not surprising that they quite often won in training fights with much more modern F-14, F-15 and F-16. Northrop has passed the most recent F-5E / F in 1987 year. To date, the age of the aircraft has exceeded three decades and large investments are required to maintain them in flight condition. In addition, most of the existing "Tigers" due to the development of operational resource is in the final stages of the life cycle.
Due to budgetary constraints, the US Air Force broke up with the latest Tigers in the early 1990's. After that, the F-5E / F were operated only in the naval training squadrons. To maintain the required minimum strength of the fighter fleet in the Aggressor units in 2000, it was decided to buy out the Tigers that are being withdrawn from service in Switzerland. Aircraft F-5E / F, built in Switzerland under a license, were in very good technical condition and had a relatively small raid. Initially, a batch of 32 aircraft was acquired, but after Key West decided to create another training squadron, in 2004, the Navy Command signed an agreement for an additional supply of 12 aircraft.
Modernization of the former Swiss F-5E corporation engaged Northrop Grumman. During the restoration work, a part of the fuselage is replaced. A new navigation system and an integrated multi-function display have been introduced into the onboard electronic equipment. This can significantly improve the ability of the pilot to navigate and understand situational awareness. With the aircraft dismantled weapons and equipment necessary for its use, which has saved weight. The upgraded aircraft additionally installed systems for fixing various flight information, weapons simulation with the ability to distribute missile launch points, fix the target and evaluate the effectiveness of the simulated weapons.
Google Earth satellite image: F / A-18, F-5N and Hunter Mk.58 aircraft parked in Key West airbase
The first modernized aircraft took off on November 25 2008 of the year and entered the 401 th Marine Corps Fighter Squadron (VMFT-401) 9 December 2008, the second F-5N was delivered to the 111-th mixed squadron in Key West. At the end of 2010, the management of Northrop Grumman Corporation announced the execution of a contract for the overhaul and modernization of the F-5N aircraft.
F-16 fighters in US Navy training squadrons
However, the Tigers are far from the only type of aircraft used by the US military to imitate enemy aircraft. Back in 1985, the US Navy ordered a batch of extremely lightweight and specially modified F-29N fighter jets to simulate air combat training of Soviet MiG-16. All the weapons and gun units were dismantled from the aircraft, and a simplified avionics were installed. On the F-16N mounted sensors and monitoring and recording equipment, allowing to record training battles in detail. For the manufacture of aircraft of this modification used F-16C / D Block 30. In total, 26 aircraft were built, of which 22 are single F-16Ns and four are double TF-16Ns.
F-16N
Operation of the F-16N in the naval training squadrons continued from 1988 to 1998 year. Such a short lifespan is due to the fact that during the training tasks the planes intensively maneuvered with the maximum permissible overloads, and after 10 years since the start of operation, most of the vehicles had cracks in the wing and fuselage elements. In the 2002, the F-16N was replaced with the F-16A / B, originally intended for Pakistan. The deal with Islamabad was blocked after it became aware of the development of Pakistan’s nuclear weapons program. Aircraft taken from the storage base of Davis Montand, have been reworked at Lockheed Martin in Fort Worth, Texas. From the former Pakistani F-16, the armament suspension units and the gun, as well as the weapon control equipment were removed. Connected and navigation equipment was changed, and the fuselage and wings, based on the operating experience of the F-16N, were enhanced.
Google Earth satellite image: F / A-18 and F-16 aircraft parked in Fallon airbase
F-16 fighters flying in the TOPGUN aviation school carry an unusual color uncharacteristic of Air Force and Navy fighters. TOPGUN is the only naval aviation unit where F-16 lightweight single-engine fighters are used, depicting Russian MiG-29 in training battles.
F / A-18 fighters and airplanes of other countries' air forces used to simulate an air enemy
Until recently, the X-NUMX F-14 fighters were based on Fallon airbase. In addition to the "Tigers" and "Fighting Falcons", the F / A-16A / B Hornet and F / A-18E / F Super Hornet fighter planes, as well as the E-18C Hawkeye DRLO aircraft, are operated at the TOPGUN training center.
Fallon air base parking
Although the US Navy and the United States Emergency Commission for the organization of air combat training uses specially modified fighters much more widely than the Air Force, it is clearly not enough for all naval aviation fighter pilots to have a stable melee air combat skill.
Upgraded F / A-18А Hornet fighter-bombers from the VFC-12 reserve training squadron in the camouflage of a conditional opponent
In order to visualize the enemy's air, in a number of combat and reserve deck squadrons, F / A-18A / B and F / A-18E / F aircraft were camouflaged close to that used by Russian Su-35C fighters. So, for example, at the Oshane airbase in Virginia, F / A-18A fighter-bombers of the VFC-12 reserve training squadron are camouflaged in a similar way. Aircraft of this unit, acting on the exercises as a conditional enemy, received "destructive camouflage" and red stars on their keels in the 2012 year. Their opponents in training air battles in most cases are deck "Hornets" and "Super Hornets". Practically every year, joint flight training exercises with the Allied countries are organized in the USA. In 2018, 12 of the French carrier-based fighter jets Rafale M, which took part in joint maneuvering with American aircraft, arrived at Oshane airbase.
Google Earth satellite image: F / A-18 and Rafale M aircraft parked at Osheana airbase
In an official press release on the results of joint exercises, it is stated that the parties achieved close cooperation during the flights and gained valuable experience during joint maneuvering. However, in unofficial sources based on the impressions of the direct participants in the air battles, it is said that in certain maneuvers the French fighters at certain times had an advantage over the Americans, and some flight modes are inaccessible even for the very modern F / A-18E / F Super Hornet, which The present are the basis of American carrier-based aircraft.
Imitation of potential enemy fighters in the US Air Force
However, not only naval aviation and marines use fighters in atypical camouflage to visualize a conditional enemy. At Nellis airbase, located in Nevada, 13 km northeast of Las Vegas is the headquarters of the 57 tactical group (57 ATG), which, in addition to intelligence, communications and information support, until recently had two squadrons Aggressors ": 64-I and 65-I.
Fighters F-16С from the composition of the 64th AGRS
The 64 Squadron squadron (64th Aggressor Squadron, abbreviated 64th AGRS) is armed with 24 F-16С. The squadron, known as the 65th Aggressor Squadron, is currently in a state of reorganization. The pilots of this squadron flew the F-15C. Due to budgetary constraints, the future of the 65 Squadron was questionable, in March 2019 of the year, information appeared that the Air Force command decided to keep the Aggressors unit equipped with heavy fighters.
Fighter F-15С from 65th AGRS
Pilots with the highest qualifications are selected in the 64 and 65 squadrons. They fly on specially modified and lightweight fighters, whose color reproduces the camouflage of combat aircraft of countries considered potential opponents of the United States.
Google Earth satellite image: F-16C fighters from 64th AGRS parked at Nellis airbase
Aircraft 64 th and 65 th squadrons are very actively used in air combat training. According to accepted practice, combat squadrons of the Air Force and the US Navy arrive at the Nellis air base on their aircraft. Also at the site adjacent to the air base, major exercises are annually organized with the participation of combat aircraft of the allied states. Over the past five years, the French Rafale M and Mirage 2000, the German Typhoon and Tornado IDS, the Singapore F-15SG and F-16C / D, and the Czech L-159 have been here.
Google Earth satellite image: F-15C fighters from 65th AGRS parked at Nellis airbase
In a number of sources, there is not officially confirmed information that there was at least one Su-27 fighter and several MiG-29s at Nellis airbase. In September 2017, the publication Aviation Week & Space Technology reported that a Su-27 fighter that took off from Nellis airbase crashed in Nevada. An Air Force spokesman declined to comment on which unit the crashed plane and its type were assigned to.
Private aviation companies involved in the process of combat training of fighter pilots of the Air Force, Navy and USMC
Given that several squadrons of “Aggressors” that exist in the air force, naval aviation and marine infantry aviation, are not able to organize the necessary training intensity for pilots of the entire existing fighter fleet, in the last decade in the US military in training private aviation companies are actively involved in the process. This was facilitated by the fact that after the end of the Cold War, a large number of combat aircraft from the Air Force of the countries of Eastern Europe and the former Soviet republics, in addition to the test and training centers of the US Department of Defense, fell into the hands of private owners. US law allows, subject to certain procedures, to register them as civil aircraft. So, in December 2009, the company Pride Aircraft, engaged in the restoration of used aircraft, certified two Su-27 fighter jets at the Federal Aviation Administration of the United States.
Double combat training Su-27UB private airline Pride Aircraft
Also in the park of several private companies there are MiG-29 fighters. Air USA company. Inc is the owner of two thoroughly repaired and demilitarized MiG-29UB parks, exported from Kyrgyzstan. Initially, it was announced that MiGs were acquired for the purpose of performing at air shows and organizing export flights for all comers.
However, the main source of income for Air USA. Inc is by no means an entertainment flight. Air USA is a regular contractor of the US and Canadian defense ministries in the organization of combat training. Currently, about 30 aircraft are assigned to the private Quincy airbase in Illinois: Soviet MiG-21 and MiG-29, Czech L-39 and L-59, Romanian IAR 823, German Alpha Jet and British Hawk.
Google Earth satellite image: Airplanes of the private airline Air USA. Inc at Quincy Airfield
More than 90% of flights the company performs in the interests of the military. Flight tasks may be very different. This is mainly an imitation of enemy aircraft in close combat, training of air defense calculations, radar testing and testing of EW tasks. In the provision of services to the Air USA military department. Inc works closely with companies: Northrop Grumman, Boeing and BAE. Since 2003, more than 6000 flights have been performed in the interests of military customers. According to the information posted on the company's website, the “successful missions” were 98,7%. We must assume that the "successful mission" means the execution of the flight task.
Another major player in the aviation services market for the air force and fleet is Draken International, which has the world's largest commercial fleet of decommissioned combat aircraft — more than 80 demilitarized fighters, light attack aircraft, and combat training aircraft. Draken International surpasses the air forces of many countries in terms of the size and composition of its fleet.
A-4 Skyhawk light attack aircraft from Draken International
Draken International acquired the former Israeli A-4N attack aircraft and the New Zealand A-4K attack aircraft, as well as Czech-made L-159E and L-39ZA. These airplanes are equipped with radar radiation warning receivers, electronic jam suppressors and air-to-air and air-to-earth missile simulators with active homing heads.
The register of aircraft of Draken International also includes: Aermacchi MB-339CB, MiG-21bis, MiG-21MF and MiG-21UM. In the interests of the customer, the company's specialists can use a variety of equipment, including simulators, various simulators, radars and EW equipment. This allows, if necessary, to bring training air battles as close as possible to reality.
Google Earth satellite image: airplanes of the private aviation company Draken International at Lakeland Airfield
All aircraft performing flights under contracts with the military department are in very good technical condition and regularly undergo scheduled and reconditioning repairs at the company's enterprise located at Lakeland, Florida airfield.
Google Earth satellite image: L-159E and A-4N / K aircraft owned by Draken International at Nellis airbase
Since 2014, most of the aircraft fleet of Draken International is permanently located at Nellis airbase. Aircraft L-159E and A-4N / K are opponents in the training of air battles and are used as conditional goals in working out the tasks of long-range interception. Of great value is the ability of these aircraft to fly at extremely low altitude and their high maneuverability. According to the leadership of the US Air Force, these subsonic aircraft adequately reproduce the characteristics of attack aircraft and combat training aircraft, which are in service with the states that received Soviet and Russian aircraft.
The company Draken International mainly provides services for combat training of the Air Force, the fleet chose to conclude a contract with the aviation private company Airborne Tactical Advantage Company (ATAC). The company is headquartered in Newport News, Virginia. In the same place, at the Williamsburg aerodrome, the aircraft engineering is being repaired and serviced. In 2017, ATAC was acquired by Textron Airborne Solutions - a major outsourcing company providing services in the aviation industry.
Google Earth satellite image: Hunter Mk.58, Kfir C.1 and Saab 35 Draken airplanes at Williamsburg airfield
For the past 20 years, the Airborne Tactical Advantage Company has been engaged in the combat training of pilots of the US Navy, Air Force, and ILC in various areas: air combat, striking surface and ground targets. During this time, ATAS aircraft flew more than 42000 hours in the air. ATAS is the only civilian organization allowed to work in the elite center for training fighter pilots of the US Navy (TOPGUN) and for training F-5 Raptor X-generation fighter pilots of the US Air Force.
The company's fleet for the most part includes aircraft manufactured in 1970-1980-s. Planes bought in different countries for a moderate price, despite a decent age, are in good technical condition and, as a rule, have a large residual resource. The current fleet of the company includes more than 20 aircraft: Israeli-made Kfir C.2 fighters, Hunter Mk.58 subsonic multi-purpose aircraft from the presence of the Swiss Air Force, Czech combat training L-39ZA and Saab 35 Draken of Swedish production, acquired in Austria.
Google Earth satellite image: Hunter Mk.58 and Kfir C.1 aircraft owned by ATAC at Point Mugu airbase
Airborne Tactical Advantage Company aircraft perform tasks in various regions where there are US military airfields. Being on some air bases with fighters in service, they work out a variety of training flight tasks. On an ongoing basis, the aircraft belonging to ATAS are located at air bases: Point Mugu (California), Fallon (Nevada), Kaneohe Bay (Hawaii), Zweibrücken (Germany) and Atsugi (Japan).
ATAS Hunter MK.58 Fighter-Bomber
Aircraft of different types are involved in a wide range of tasks. Hunter Mk.58 fighter-bombers usually depict enemy attack planes trying to break through to a protected object at a low altitude or leading to electronic suppression of air defense assets. “Hunters” are also used as aerial targets towers. When interacting with warships of the US Navy, ATAS airplanes imitated attacks using anti-ship missiles. To create a suitable jamming environment, Hunter MK.58 and L-39ZA carried containers with EW equipment and a suspended simulator of the French Exocet AM39 PCR, and the Soviet PCR P-15, which reproduces the work of the radio altimeter and the active radar homing head. The choice of simulators of onboard systems of these anti-ship missiles is related to the fact that they are among the most common in the world, and are in service in countries with which the US fleet may encounter.
Suspension of the PKR simulator on the Hunter MK.58 aircraft
The presence of electronic warfare equipment and simulators of radar homing heads in interchangeable outboard containers allows, during exercises, to bring the disturbance situation as close to real combat as possible. This allows radar operators and air defense systems to gain the necessary experience. Large-scale exercises using aircraft and equipment belonging to this company are regularly held with the ships and aircraft of the US Navy, both on the west and on the east coast.
In the second half of 1990-x, when ATAS company just started cooperation with the Pentagon, there were MiG-17, A-4 Skyhawk and L-39 Albatros in its aircraft fleet. However, these subsonic aircraft with a small thrust-weight ratio could not imitate modern combat aircraft of a potential enemy in training battles. For this reason, ATAS acquired several used Israeli Kfir C.1 fighters.
ATAS F-21 KFIR
In the US, the Kfir C.2 fighters, which are currently piloted by ATAS, are known as the F-21 KFIR. These aircraft, built in 1980-ies, underwent modernization and overhaul, during which weapons were removed from them, airframe elements were strengthened, new navigation and communications equipment and video cameras and removable solid-state drives were installed to record the results of air battles and subsequently carry out detailed debriefing. To fully simulate the combat situation of the company’s aircraft carry EW equipment and suspended simulators of close combat missiles with TGS. This allows for a real seizure of the homing head, which increases the realism and accuracy of the outcome of the fight.
According to American aviation experts, the upgraded Kfirs in their combat capabilities are between the Soviet MiG-21bis and the Chinese J-10. Despite a decent age and a formal technical gap from modern fighters, the F-21 KFIR pilots very often managed to put the American pilots in a difficult position on the F / A-18F and F-15C. Even the superiority of the newest F-22A in the training of air battles was not always unconditional. Some flight regimes of the Kfir fighter jets, built according to the tailless flight scheme with GIP, turned out to be inaccessible to American aircraft. In the 2012 year, according to the results of tests with the F-35В fighter from an experimental batch delivered by the USCM, it was recognized: “a promising fighter built by the Lockheed Martin Corporation needs further improvement and development of air combat techniques”.
ATAS F-21 KFIR and Hunter MK.58 airplanes in the same system as the F-35
To date, pilots flying Kfirs have conducted 2500 hours in the air during training missions, indicating a high intensity of flights and a large number of training battles. Victories in training battles over more modern types of fighters are largely due to the high qualifications and vast experience of ATAS pilots. The main ATAS flight crew is staffed by retired Air Force and Navy pilots who have extensive flight experience and very high qualifications. They used to fly a lot of fighters, who now confront them in training battles. Naturally, the pilots on the Kfir are familiar with the capabilities of most types of fighter planes in service with the United States. At the same time, the main part of the American combatant pilots capabilities and characteristics of the Kfirov are not known. In addition, unlike combatant pilots of the Air Force and Navy, ATAS pilots are not bound by such a number of rules and restrictions.
In addition to playing on the drills for the "bad guys" equipment and ATAS specialists, they also participate in various test and test flights conducted as part of the creation and modernization of missile and aircraft systems and weapons. This approach, which makes it possible to save money on the process of testing new equipment and combat training without losing quality, turned out to be very beneficial for the US Department of Defense. The use of unmanned aircraft in the course of combat training makes it possible to diversify the scenarios of training air battles, save the pilots of combat squadrons from the standard decisions that arise during maneuvering with the same type of aircraft and better prepare them for various situations that may arise in real combat situations. In addition, the cost of the flight time of private companies' airplanes is much cheaper and allows to save the resource of combat fighters. The personnel of private companies working under an agreement with the military department do not have to pay pensions, medical insurance and severance benefits from the state budget. All costs for the maintenance and repair of aircraft participating in training flights are borne by private contractors. A number of experts predict that in the future, private aviation companies working in contact with the military will not only organize training missions, but will also be able to provide aviation support during ground operations by private military companies. They can also be used to control the airspace, in cases where the US government is not interested for one reason or another to use air force or carrier-based aircraft.
Based on open information available regarding the approaches of the Air Force and Naval Aviation Command, it can be concluded that American fighter pilots are taught to resist Soviet, Russian and Chinese combat aircraft. And they are also preparing for a possible collision with the Air Forces of countries equipped with 2-3 generation fighters, which are no longer in service with the United States. At the same time, in addition to the superiority in the flight data of American fighters and the characteristics of aviation weapons of destruction, the emphasis is on tactical training, initiative, and aggressive air combat.
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