Page 35 - Air Forces Monthly - September 2017

‘In association with…’

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ATAC and Draken all offer
legacy platforms but with highly
experienced pilots. However,
others may consider older aircraft
too expensive to run, while pilots
would likely have to cross-train
on several platforms. These
companies might prefer to offer
a single aircraft type to cover all
forms of training. As long as the
bidder can provide the service
and meet the requirements,
which will come down to
Fast and low over the Channel – the affordability, competence
domain of 736 Naval Air Squadron’s and delivery, the aircraft used
Hawks that regularly mimic aircraft should not be an issue.
and missile threats for the Royal Interestingly, none of the ‘Tier 1’
Navy. The RN’s aggressor Hawks will companies such as Airbus, BAE
stand down on December 31, 2019,
making way for ASDOT. Derek Bower Systems, Elbit Systems, Leonardo,
Lockheed Martin or Saab have
and reconnaissance (ISR)/strike
aircraft to RIAT. The Kansas-
based company is working
alongside QinetiQ, which will lead
an ASDOT bid, and Thales. As
part of its strategy to gain more
Red Air work, parent company
Textron acquired Airborne
Tactical Advantage Company
(ATAC) last year. ATAC flies 16
former Swiss Air Force Hunters,
six ex-Israeli Air Force Kfirs and
four Aero Vodochody L-39ZAs.
Reports from France also claim
the company has acquired
more than 50 former French
Air Force Mirage F1s, with 36
likely to be made airworthy.
This acquisition is likely to be
aimed at the US market.

Cobham and Draken Above: RAF Regiment Forward Air Controllers (FACs) guide a Typhoon from No 6 Squadron onto their target at the Cape
A third teaming arrangement Wrath practice range in Scotland. As well as the RAF and RN, the British Army requires ASDOT capabilities, including
training of FACs/JTACs. Crown Copyright Below: A pair of Draken International A-4Ks at work out of Nellis AFB, Nevada.
includes Draken International, Draken has teamed up with Cobham in the competition. Frank Crébas
which flies at least 14 of 21 Grifo-
radar-equipped L-159s recently
acquired from Aero Vodochody
as well as L-39s, A-4s and MB339s
(see Enter the dragon, May, p60-
67). The company was originally
planning to team with CAE and
Babcock, but Cobham announced
on July 14 that it had signed a
teaming agreement with Draken.
Peter Nottage, CEO and
President of Cobham Aviation
Services said: “Our work to
advance existing in-house,
synthetic threat training
technology development
continues and, when combined
with our unparalleled electronic
warfare training expertise and
Draken, we will deliver an ASDOT
solution that will provide the most
advanced training environment.”
The solutions from each of the
competitors will be different,
depending upon their primary
areas of expertise. Discovery,

www.airforcesmonthly.com #354 SEPTEMBER 2017 // 35