Page 6 - Air Forces Monthly - September 2017

NEWS Headlines

Red Flag debut for Saudi Typhoon

Typhoon T3 1021 (CT018, ex ZK399) of the
10th Squadron on fi nals to Morón on August 1.
Antonio Muñiz Zaragüeta
EIGHT TYPHOONS from the fighters passed through A single RSAF C-130H also Typhoons comprised serials first deployment to the
Royal Saudi Air Force are Morón air base in Spain deployed as support aircraft. 306, 1014, 1021, 8008, US, the Saudi Typhoons
taking part for the first time on August 1, accompanied Drawn from the 3rd, 10th 8009, 8015, 8017 and 8023. are flying in Red Flag
in Exercise Red Flag at Nellis by three A330 Multi-Role and 80th Squadrons at Taif/ These used the callsigns 17-4, which is taking place
Air Force Base, Nevada. The Tanker Transports (MRTTs). King Fahd Air Base, the ‘CLEAN 01-08’. During their from August 14-25.

Above: In late 2016 just four FAB T-33s were operational, each with only ten hours of fl ying
time left. T-33A/N FAB 606 (c/n 158) was formerly CT-133 133158 in Canadian Armed Forces
service and was transferred to Bolivia in December 1973. Santiago Rivas
Final military T-33s retired in Bolivia

THE FUERZA Aérea now only civilian examples French stocks. Surviving
Boliviana (FAB, Bolivian Air remain active. The FAB T-33s were upgraded by
Force) withdrew the last Shooting Stars were retired Kelowna Flightcraft in
examples of the Lockheed without replacement. Canada during the late
AT/T-33 Shooting Star from The T-33 was introduced 1990s and early 2000s.
service on July 31, ending to FAB service in 1973 in The last military squadron
the military career of one the form of 18 former to operate the T-33
of the most important Royal Canadian Air Force was Escuadrón de Caza
jet trainers and attack Canadair T-33A/N Silver 311, part of the Grupo
aircraft in history. Bolivia Stars. In 1985 it received Aéreo de Caza (GAC)
was the final military a further 18 T-33SC and 31 at El Alto Airport.
operator of the type, and T-33SF aircraft from surplus Juan Carlos Cicalesi

RAF to upgrade Chinook HC4s

THE ROYAL Air Force is to improve aircraft handling Chinook fleet, and this has
upgrade its fleet of Chinook and stability in more already achieved initial
HC4 helicopters to a new demanding operational operating capability.
HC6A standard, by replacing environments and increase The RAF inventory
the analogue flight control flight safety in low-light includes 60 Chinooks,
systems with the Boeing levels and/or degraded comprising 38 HC4s (former
Digital Automatic Flight visual environments. HC2/2As upgraded under
Control System (DAFCS). In addition, a contract Project Julius), eight HC5s
Work will be carried out has been placed to (previously HC3s), and 14
over the next 12 months on incorporate an Airborne HC6s that were delivered Above: The HC6A upgrade for the RAF’s Chinook HC4 will
all 38 HC4s now in service. Collision Avoidance as new-build airframes provide the helicopters with the same DAFCS that is used in
The DAFCS is intended to System (ACAS) across the based on the CH-47F. the new-build HC6, seen here. Jamie Hunter

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