Italian Air Force « The Aviationist

Photo: in a world of overall grey planes, a (rare) Tornado IDS-HARM in camouflage color scheme February 20, 2012

Posted by David Cenciotti in Military Aviation.
Tags: 155 Gruppo, 50° Stormo, IDS-HARM, Italian Air Force, Tornado
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Nowadays almost all the NATO combat planes (special colors aside) wears overall grey low visibility color schemes. Therefore, old fashioned camouflage color schemes are extremely rare.

One of the last Italian tactical aircraft to wear a “camo” scheme is this Tornado IDS-HARM in a picture taken recently by Giovanni Maduli at Decimomannu airbase.

Good bye Black Sheeps: the retirement of the P.166DL3, the Italian Air Force’s aerophotogrammetry platform February 19, 2012

Posted by David Cenciotti in Italian Air Force.
Tags: 71° Gruppo, Italian Air Force, P-166DL3, Piaggio
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Although it passed almost unnoticed, at end of November 2011, the 71° Gruppo of the Italian Air Force based at Pratica di Mare, near Rome, retired one of the less known and most interesting aircraft: the Piaggio P.166DL3 APH.

Fitted with Leica RC-20 and RC-30 cameras (modified in order to mitigate the effects of the movement) the twin prop could perform aerophotogrammetric missions to obtain a photographic survey of a specific portion of the territory, to assess its conditions after natural calamities or to update topographical and aeronautical charts.

With this purpose, every 5 years, a DL3s made a “tour” of all the Italian bases for a so-called “obstacles campaign”, made in Summer to collect the imagery of all the national territory.

The “Black Sheeps” of the 71° Gruppo were also employed in reconnaissance missions in support of Police activities or for the survey of building abuses.

With the retirement of the “Piaggione” (Big Piaggio), the Italian Air Force has lost the capability to perform aerophotogrammetry: even if this kind of activity is being transferred to unmanned platforms the service has not yet selected any replacement for the P.166DL3.

In slightly different variants, the P.166DL3 still operates with the Guardia di Finanza (Custom Police) and Guardia Costiera (Coast Guard) that use the aircraft for anti-smuggling and maritime surveillance missions.

In the following pictures, courtesy of the 71° Gruppo, the last flights of the P.166 along with the squadron’s “multitasking” P.180s.

Top military aviation stories of 2011: drones up and downs, stealth projects exposed and Libya’s 7-month-long war. (theaviationist.com)
How the Vespa Became Vietnamese (forbes.com)

M-346 advanced combat trainer’s HMD (Helmet Mounted Display) tested in night configuration February 17, 2012

Posted by Richard Clements in Italian Air Force, Military Aviation.
Tags: Alenia Aermacchi, Helmet Mounted Display, HMD, Israeli Air Force, Italian Air Force, M-346, T-346A
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Alenia Aermacchi has recently announced the succesful completion of a series of 7 test flights with a Helmet Mounted Display (HMD) system (similar to that used by front line combat planes), performed as part of the qualification and certification program for the Italian Air Force’s T-346A (the Italian version of the M-346 trainer aircraft).

The system was installed onto 3^rd series production aircraft and flown from Torino Caselle airport, Italy, during the Dec. 18 to 22, 2011, period.

Initial findings were very encouraging confirming the successful integration of the HMD into the cockpit and avionics of the M-346 even using the helmet in its “Night Configuration”.

Alenia Aermacchi said that its test pilots found the HMD “fit for the training purpose” and that they also noted that some of the characteristics such as “comfort levels, ease of integration and great flexibility of use” had been very beneficial.

The test pilots said that the projected symbology was “sharp and clearly visible” significantly reducing fatigue; also during the night tests it was found that the situational awareness of the pilot was significantly increased, improving safety too. The test pilots also liked the customisation of the symbology and thought that this made the HMD very promising not only for training purposes but also operationally.

The HMD system is built around the HGU-55P helmet designed to be easily configured by the aircrew so that it can easily cover the needs for both day and night operations through a modular architecture approach. The night module is designed to be fitted to the standard NVG eyepiece kit used by many of the world’s air forces and it works by overlaying the HMD symbology to that of the NVG imagery.

The HMD system is fitted in both front and rear cockpits and is fully integrated to the aircraft’s avionics suite, giving the HMD system the ability to cue sensors and weapons giving support during navigation and attack modes during training both day & night. Alenia has said that “the successful integration of the HMD system in the M-346 gives the green light for the imminent production deliveries of the systems to the Italian Air Force, as part of the T-346A full trainer configuration suite”.

The M-346 is the only Advanced trainer that has a HMD in both day and night configuration, something that has obviously been noticed by the Israeli Air Force that yesterday announced the selection of the M-346 as the training plane that will replace the aging Skyhawk fleet.

Noteworthy, whereas some HMDs have been extensively used by several air forces in the recent Libya Air War and in Afghanistan, some of the most advanced combat planes are not equipped with this kind of helmets. Among them the much troubled F-22 and the Rafale, winner of the Indian MMRCA (Medium Multi-Role Combat Aircraft) bid.

Richard Clements for TheAviationist.com

Image credit: Alenia Aeronautica

Italy to provide Israeli Air Force with the M-346, an advanced training plane that “already looks on to the F-35″. (theaviationist.com)
Touch screen, voice activated commands, portal. A new smartphone or tablet? No, the Lockheed Martin F-35′s glass cockpit. (theaviationist.com)
Typhoon’s super sci-fi helmet: a (supposedly) unnecessary extra feature on the F-22 (theaviationist.com)

Italy to provide Israeli Air Force with the M-346, an advanced training plane that “already looks on to the F-35″. February 16, 2012

Posted by David Cenciotti in Military Aviation.
Tags: A-4 Skyhawk, Alenia Aermacchi, Israeli Air Force, Italian Air Force, M-346, Republic of Singapore Air Force, T-346, T-50
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On Feb. 16, Israel’s Ministry of Defense has announced the selection of the Italian M-346 Master as replacement of the aging Air Force’s fleet of A-4 Skyhawks, used as advanced trainers for combat pilots designated for fighter jets.

A deal worth 1 billion USD for 30 M-346s to be delivered from 2014.

As pointed out by the Jerusalem Post the deal is much more complex as, in return, Italy will commit to purchase just over $1 billion of military platforms from Israeli defense companies, including those airborne warning and control system (AWACS) G550 Eitam that took part to the 2010 and 2011 edition of the Vega multinational exercise in Decimomannu, in Sardinia.

The selection of the M-346 could jeopardise Israel and South Korea defense deals with Seoul (which offered the T-50 trainer along with a package of reciprocal acquisition) complaining that the A-4 replacement tender was not conducted in compliance with the international standards.

However, the Head of the Instructional Division, Colonel C’, has explained on the IAF on the official website the reason of the choice (highlight mine):

“I flew the Korean plane and it’s a lot like the F-16. In that aspect it has many advantages, seeing as it is easy to get used to the plane and continue from it directly to the F-16. Of course, it is a little smaller and less powerful, but it is similar to the F-16 in its operation.
The Italian plane is a combination. It integrates the F-16, the F-15 and the Eurofighter. It’s a dual-engine aircraft while the Korean plane has one engine, which is an important security aspect, but has less experience than the Korean aircraft which is already serving as an instructional plane.

We weighed each pro and con: in suitability, capabilities, security, instruction and readiness and arrived at the conclusion that in spite of the lack of experience, the Italian plane is preferable. It already looks on to the F-35 and can be compatible with training for it. It prepares us better for the future, and that was also a consideration”.

The M-346, is one of the most advanced trainer aircraft available on the market today with an avionics system modelled on those
used in new-generation fighter aircraft, such as Eurofighter, Gripen, Rafale, F-16, F-18, F-22 and the F-35.

In 2010, 12 M-346s were also purchased by the Republic of Singapore Air Force, once again to replace ageing A-4 Skyhawks.

On Nov. 18, 2011, the Alenia Aermacchi M-346 CP-X615 crashed in Dubai shorthly after take off. The captain and the passenger successfully ejected and were recovered with minor injuries. The aircraft was returning in Italy after attending the local air show.

On Feb. 6 the Italian Air Force has received its second M-346, designed T-346, that flew from Venegono to Pratica di Mare, where the Experimental Flying Wing (RSV – Reparto Sperimentale Volo) will conduct a test campaign prior to its operational deployment. Once the evaluation is complete, the first two T-346As will be taken on charge by the 61° Stormo at Lecce which will also take delivery of the other four aircraft purchased by the ItAF.

Image credit: Alenia Aermacchi

Italy has decided: F-35s to be cut by more than 30 percent. (theaviationist.com)
Italy buys its first three F-35s. With a shocking announcement: “a JSF will cost less than a Eurofighter Typhoon” (theaviationist.com)
KC-130J: a tactical gas station in the sky. Serving fighters, bombers, choppers. And maybe even F-35s sometime in the future. (theaviationist.com)

Italy has decided: F-35s to be cut by more than 30 percent. February 15, 2012

Posted by David Cenciotti in F-35, Italian Air Force, Italian Navy.
Tags: Cavour aircraft carrier, Defense spending review, Di Paola, F-35B, Italian Air Force, Italian Navy, Lockheed Martin, Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II, McDonnell Douglas AV-8B Harrier II, Military budget
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More technology, less personnel and only 90 F-35s: this is the outcome Italian Defense spending review.

On Feb. 15, the long awaited Italian Defense spending review was finally presented to the Parliament by the Minister of Defense Giampaolo Paola.

“Long awaited” because the review was supposed to shed some light on the future of the Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II in Italy: Rome’s commitment to the program (as a Level 2 partner with 2.5 Billion Euro already invested and an original envisaged requirement for 131 planes) is important to keep the troubled and costly stealth multirole jet affordable.

The reform seeks to balance the spending for personnel, operations and investment, to ensure the future financial sustainability and operational effectiveness of the armed forces. In simple words: cuts to personnel and programs with the long term goal to cover the personnel spending with half the allocated budget (worth 0.9 percent of the GDP) and use the remainder between operations (including training and maintenance) and procurement (25 percent each) of advanced technologies.

Therefore, along with the reduction by 43,000 people to abate the current 70 percent of the overall defense budget for spending on military personnel, the review has led to the revision of the some important programs. First of all, the much criticized F-35 program.

Accordingly, 41 aircraft will be scrapped leaving the Italian Air Force and Navy with only 90 F-35 in the A and B version. The latter, recently removed from probation, will replace the Navy’s AV-8B+ Harrier II on board the Cavour aircraft carrier as well as the Air Force’s AMX, both involved in the recent Air War in Libya.

“The F-35 program was reviewed. Nevertheless it remains a major commitment in terms of technology, technology transfer to the industry and employment” Di Paola said few days after placing the first order for three F-35s.

Digital mock-up by Al Clark

Tornado fighter bomber very low take off from Malta. February 10, 2012

Posted by David Cenciotti in Military Aviation.
Tags: 6 Stormo, Decimomannu, Italian Air Force, Libya, Luqa, Malta, Malta International Airport, Tornado
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On Feb. 8, 2012, Malta celebrated the 20th anniversary since the inauguration of Malta International Airport’s Air Terminal. The event was celebrated with a series of aircraft flybys, including those of a U.S. Navy P-3 Orion and a USMC C-130. Four Italian Tornado IDSs belonging to the 6° Stormo, based at Ghedi, performed two flypasts over the airport before landing at MIA.

After spending a night in Luqa, the Tornados left Malta on Feb. 9, around 12.10LT. On departure, one of the jets rendered homage to the local spotters with a very low take off. Brendon Attard was there on both days and took the following interesting pictures.

The Italian “Tonkas” came from Decimomannu airbase, in Sardinia, where the crews of the 6° Stormo are currently deployed for the seasonal air-to-ground training in the local firing ranges.

“Cross country” flights like that in Malta, are included in the training required by the Italian Tornado crews to keep their capability to operate away from their homebase. As happened during the Air War in Libya, when the “Tonkas” were deployed to Trapani, in Sicily from where they operated until the end of the campaign performing both SCAR (Strike Coordination and Reconnaissance), BAI (Battlefield Air Interdiction), ISR (Intelligence Surveillance and Reconnaissance) and “buddy” air-to-air refueling missions, carrying a wide variety of weapons and sensors, including the Reccelite pod, the Storm Shadow cruise missiles, GPS-guided JDAMs and LGB Paveways.

In Libya, the Tornado (to be replaced by the F-35 in the future) proved to be an effective platform whose accuracy gave Italy a 79% of reliability in the air strikes, a record higher than that achieved by the French assets who took part to the war (according to NATO).

Italian Tornados do “hit” better.

All photographs by Brendon Attard

Italy buys its first three F-35s. With a shocking announcement: “a JSF will cost less than a Eurofighter Typhoon” February 8, 2012

Posted by David Cenciotti in F-35, Military Aviation.
Tags: Eurofighter Typhoon, Italian Air Force, Italian Navy, Lockheed Martin, Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II, STOVL
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On Feb. 7, 2012, Gen. Claudio Debertolis, head of the agency that is responsible for the procurement of new armaments, has announced that Italy has already ordered the first three Lockheed Martin F-35s.

Unit price: 80 million USD.

Talking to the lower house’s defense commitee, Debertolis explained that these first planes will cost more than the rest of the fleet since costs are going to decrease as the program, currently in Low Rate Initial Production, continues. The Italian high rank officer is particularly optimistic, as he believes that the unit price will be around 70 million each (Lockheed Martin estimates 65M USD for the F-35A and about 73M USD for the F-35B), less than the 79 million USD currently paid for the Eurofighter Typhoon and much less of the 121 million USD per aircraft anticipated in 2011.

Quite surprising, since unit price is one of the JSF partner’s main concern, but possible, considering also that the Typhoon has just lost India’s mother of all tenders based on price.

Although there’s no official commitment yet, the initial requirement for Italy foresaw 131 examples (69 conventional take-off and landing F-35As and 62 of the short take-off and vertical landing variant F-35Bs). Debertolis confirmed that determining how many aircraft Italy will purchase is not a current task, since it will depend on the Defense Budget Review. Nevertheless, even if the number of aircraft will be much lower than the initial 131, the MoD will work to make sure that the industry will get the expected compensation.

Italy is working on stretching deliveries and slowing purchase “a much easier task than that with the Eurofighter program, since the F-35 procurement is modular therefore delays don’t imply increasing costs” Debertolis said.

Furthermore with the recent Eurofighter defeat in India, Italy is going to stop working on the Typhoon and “divert” part (if not all) of its workforce towards the F-35, being assembled at the Cameri FACO (Final Assembly and Check Out) facility.

Finally, Debertolis has confirmed that Italy will have both A and B variants, with the STOVL (Short Take Off Vertical Landing) ones serving both the Air Force and the Navy, that will use them on the Cavour aircraft carrier.

In spite of the widespread criticism surrounding the program and the global financial crisis it looks like the F-35 has, if not a bright future ahead, at least good chances to survive the austerity measures of the new Monti’s technocratic cabinet.

Image credit: Lockheed Martin

KC-130J: a tactical gas station in the sky. Serving fighters, bombers, choppers. And maybe even F-35s sometime in the future. (theaviationist.com)
BAE may cut price of Eurofighter to secure deal (ibnlive.in.com)
Following on India’s MMRCA win, Rafale on the verge of winning UAE fighter deal? (theaviationist.com)
BAE may cut Typhoon price to win India order (telegraph.co.uk)

“Cleared hot”: the Italian AMX light combat planes to be cleared to carry (and use) bombs in Afghanistan January 28, 2012

Posted by David Cenciotti in Military Aviation.
Tags: Afghanistan, AMX, drones, Italian Air Force, Joint Chief of Staff, Joint Direct Attack Munition, Libya, Precision-guided munition, Predator, Unmanned Aerial Vehicle
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As the air war in Afghanistan winds down, hitting a 3-year low in terms of combat sorties, Italy is about to lift one of the national caveats that has denied the Air Force’s AMX light bombers deployed to Herat, to carry PGM (Precision Guided Munitions) in combat.

In fact, although being able to carry bombs to support ground troops, the Italian AMXs, that emerged as some of the most cost-effective assets during the Air War in Libya and, much earlier, during the Allied Force in Serbia and Kosovo, were not allowed to carry any LGB (Laser Guided Bomb) or GPS-guided JDAM (Joint Direct Attack Munition) .

So far, Italian ground troops in in trouble in Afghanistan have relied on AMX’s gun or….U.S. air support.

Since they could not carry bombs, AMX have mainly conducted reconnaissance missions in Afghanistan, using the Reccelite pod.

Following the experience in Libya, where the Italian planes have largely made use of bombs to protect Libyans threatened by pro-Gaddafi forces, in the last few days, the Minister of Defense Giampaolo Di Paola, has said before the joint defense committees of both houses that the MoD is willing to use the aircraft “without limitations.”

The use of precision bombs will not change the ROE (Rules of Engagement) said Gen. Biagio Abrate, Joint Chief of Staff, who added: “In Libya, we dropped the bombs and we did well.”

The AMX will be allowed to carry the GBU-32 JDAMs, the GBU-16 Paveway, and the Lizard guidance kit that enables 500-lbs Mk82 bombs to hit the target illuminated by the laser.

Abrate also explained that the MoD is willing to provide weapons to the Predator UAS (Unmanned Aerial System) that in Afghanistan is used for reconnaissance duties only. Both the Predator A and the B (Reaper), that was used in Libya to boost NATO’s ISR (Intelligence Surveillance Reconnaissance) capabilities, can carry bombs even if Italy has not procured missiles and PGMs for them yet.

An AMX taking off from Nellis AFB during a Red Flag (credit: Italian Air Force)

“The F-35 remains essential to the future of air superiority” Panetta says. And Lockheed Martin reassures: “we will solve all JSF problems.” January 27, 2012

Posted by David Cenciotti in F-35.
Tags: Eurofighter Typhoon, F-35, Italian Air Force, Italian Navy, Japan Air Self Defense Force, Joint Strike Fighter, Leon Panetta, Lockheed Martin, Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II, STOVL, USS Wasp
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On Jan. 26, several hours before U.S. SECDEF Leon Panetta would say the Joint Strike Fighter remains a DoD top priority program “essential to the future of air superiority”, Charles “Tom” Burbage, Executive VP of Lockheed Martin and General Manager of F-35 Program Integration, had already explained in a Press Briefing held in Rome that, in spite of rumors and criticism surrounding the costly fifth generation combat plane, he did not anticipate any significant downsizing of the program.

“Every country is reducing defense budget but no country has reduced the F-35” he said, explaining also that one of the most appealing features of the program for international partners is the involvement of local companies, which supply components, systems and know-how, well before a single aircraft is purchased.

Moreover, the F-35 has recently collected some important achievement, making Burbage and the rest of the company optimistic about the future of the entire program.

First came in December 2011 the selection of the JSF as the Japan Air Self Defense Force (JASDF) next gengeration aircraft, following the F-X competitive bid process that saw the Lockheed plane win on both the Eurofighter Typhoon and the Boeing F-18 Super Hornet.

Then the F-35B STOVL (Short Take Off Vertical Landing) was removed from probation one year ahead of schedule. Finally, the F-35C (Carrier Variant) was fixed with a new tailhook system that will be tested beginning next April, making arrested landing on aircraft carriers possible after the series of failed tests.

Last year was particularly important for the revolutionary plane. It flew about 20% more than expected, performed sea trials taking off and landing (vertically) from USS Wasp and “had no issues on the ship”, Burbage said, in spite of the alleged noise and heating problems.

Dealing with the series of issues highlighted by the JSF Concurrency Quick Look Review and other official and unofficial reports leaked at the end of last year, Burbage explains: “we are currently 20% into the test program. Today’s issues are not going to affect customers that will receive the aircraft years later, when the problem is fixed.”

In the last few days, Burbage and its entourage have met the Italian Minister of Defense Di Paola and the top Italian Air Force and Navy officers. Talks were satisfactory and Lockheed is quite confident that in spite of the financial crisis and raising criticism at political level, Italy will keep the commitment as Level 2 partner (worth 2 Billion USD already invested) in the program, which calls for total U.S. purchases of 2,443 F-35s in both A, B and C versions for the Air Force, Navy and Marine Corps, and envisages 697 planes for other partners (UK, Italy, Netherlands, Australia, Canada, Denmark, Norway and Turkey).

Japan aside, the F-35 has export chances also in South Korea, that is the only non-partner country Lockheed Martin is in talks for a possible JSF sale. Should the F-35 be selected in South Korea, the number of planes procured by Security Cooperative Participants (Singapore and Israel) and foreign customers (including Japan) will exceed the number of F-35s ordered by partners.

Since there’s no commitment yet nor any value was set, no reduction or cut in the amount of aircraft can be foreseen. Italy is not buying 131 planes. The initial requirement was for 69 F-35A and 62 F-35B (40 for the Air Force and 22 for the Navy), but Italy will buy the plane in batches: 4 planes, then 5 planes and so on. Therefore, Italy will have some F-35s, some of them will be STOVL ones to equip the Cavour aircraft carrier.

Eventually, in the U.S. the F-35 survived the Pentagon budget cuts: the US will continue buying F-35s, but will slow its purchase of the stealth fighter planes.

Indeed, it’s a very good period for the Joint Strike Fighter.

“The Eurofighter Typhoon will be the Indian Medium Multi-Role Combat Aircraft” Pakistani blog says. RUMINT, HUMINT or speculation? January 13, 2012

Posted by David Cenciotti in Military Aviation.
Tags: Dassault Rafale, Eurofighter, Eurofighter Typhoon, HUMINT, India, Indian AIr Force, Indian MMRCA, Italian Air Force, RUMINT
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Above image: an Italian two seat Typhoon refuels from a KC-130J

Although an Indian Air Force spokeperson has quickly denied the news, according to a Pakistani blog “Grande Strategy”, Eurofighter has won the Indian MMRCA tender, worth 10-15 billion USD for +126 combat planes.

“Grande Strategy sources are suggesting that the Eurofighter Typhoon may in fact be the winner of the long delayed Indian Medium Multi-Role Combat Aircraft (MMRCA) competition” the article says.

Even if the Typhoon will likely be the next addition to the Indian Air Force’s already varied fleet (made of Mirage 2000s, Mig-29s, Sukhoi Su-30MKIs, some obsolete Mig-21s, Mig-27s and Jaguars) it’s worth of note that a Pakistani think tank “providing strategy and analysis from an Islamic perspective” has given the news earlier than the India media, that reported opposite speculations last year.

Considered the current status of the Indo-Pakistani relations, it’s somehow strange that a think tank “on the enemy side” was able to get such tip from sources among decision makers that have been comparing the MMRCA bids. Maybe, information was gathered through Human Intelligence (HUMINT) or Rumor Intelligence (RUMINT).

Unless the news was purposely leaked or it is only speculation.

Eurofighter didn’t confirm nor deny the news.