Author

Till Daisd

Till is an aviation enthusiast blogger who has been writing since 2013. He started out writing about personal readings since expanded his blog to include information and stories about all aspects of aviation. Till's blog is a go-to source for anyone interested in learning more about aviation, whether you're a pilot or just a curious onlooker.

Cold War

An administrative sergeant attempted to sell Soviet officials top-secret intelligence about the SR-71 Blackbird in 1985

by Till Daisd October 29, 2023

written by Till Daisd

When one of the unit’s administrative sergeants called the Soviet embassy in San Francisco, he proposed they offer him $100,000 in exchange for some important SR-71 documents

What aviation geek doesn’t love speed, new technologies, advanced manufacturing methods, and the mysteries of a secret government program? Many aircraft embody these features, but none come close to the Lockheed SR-71 Blackbird.

It could fly over Vietnam in eight minutes; its electronic countermeasures were so advanced that they are still in use today on other airplanes and remain top-secret; it had tires filled with nitrogen; and it was made from one of the most expensive metals on earth. And it’s still the world’s fastest plane.

No other aircraft of its era could match the SR-71 Blackbird’s speed, innovation, or secrecy. The following is an intriguing narrative from pilot Terry Pappas of SR-71 Blackbird, found in his fantastic book SR-71 Blackbird Q&A, which you can get HERE.

‘Sentenced to 25 years of hard labor at Leavenworth, Kansas.

SR-71-Crews — This photo comes from Terry Pappas‘s book SR-71 Blackbird Q&A. Terry said this may be the most members of active harbors assembled at one time during the Blackbird’s entire operational history. Left to right Bernie Smith, Rod Dyckman, Tom Bergam, Larry Brown. Doug Sofer, Randy Shelhorse, Terry Pappas, Bill ORCUTT. Tom VELTRI, Don Watkins, Mac Kendree, Mike Finan, and Greg Crittenden

‘When you try to sell top-secret information in 1985, Leavenworth is where you’re going.

‘One of the administrative sergeants assigned to the unit was in financial distress. He figured that the top-secret information that he had about the SR-71 could be sold. He called the Soviet embassy in San Francisco and proposed they give him $100,000 for several key documents related to the SR-71. The Soviets figured that this guy was deranged so they notified US intelligence. He was caught. He got a one-way ticket to Leavenworth.’

Pappas concludes;

‘Just how secure was the top-secret information? At Beale Air Force Base in California, there was a cipher lock to enter the building. There was another lock to enter the hall where our squadron was, then we had a separate room, there was safes lining the wall. Each of the RSOs and pilots had their own safe, and in it was in a larger safe that had to be unlocked in order to get your safe. What did they keep in there? Their checklist, among other things. Security was paramount around the SR-71 program.’

Check out the Habubrats Facebook page for further Blackbird photos and stories.

Photo by Terry Pappas

October 29, 2023 0 comment

Cold War

F-14’s first air-to-air kill was a gun kill but not scored by a US Navy Tomcat

by Till Daisd October 28, 2023

written by Till Daisd

According to a US Navy legend, a few veteran F-14 pilots pledged to build a monument honoring the first person to score a gun kill in combat

Every war begins with the realization that no plan can maintain contact with the enemy for very long. This maxim undoubtedly applied to the F-14A’s use in Iran. The aircraft was designed to counter massive formations of Soviet bombers and protect aircraft carriers from attack by employing long-range air-to-air missiles, as stated by the US Navy, which considered the F-14A a ‘fleet defender’.

According to Tom Cooper and Farzad Bishop’s book Iranian F-14 Tomcat units in combat, US Navy Tomcat operators never anticipated becoming “feet dry” and conducting prolonged over-land operations during conflicts, such as in 1986 or 1991 against Libya or Iraq. Nevertheless, this was a necessary aspect of the work for Iranian pilots, even though it negatively impacted the jet’s AWG-9 radar’s performance.

IRIAF-F-14-M61 — IRIAF F-14 Tomcat’s M61A1 Vulcan

Even more surprising was the nature of the first air-to-air battle that F-14s engaged in and won. On September 4, 1980, Iraq and Iran engaged in their first skirmishes. Soon afterward, the Islamic Republic of Iran Air Force (IRIAF) began bringing back a growing number of F-14s to service. The majority of the 77 airframes that survived were either non-operational or had non-functional AWG-9s, and the crew members lacked up-to-date training and expertise. Ground control became increasingly important to F-14 units when it came to intercepting Iraqi aircraft because of malfunctioning radar and “green” crews. This quickly changed as conflicts increased because Tomcat and AWG-9 reliability improved and crew confidence grew with more sorties flown, which made it easier for crews to remember their training.

Soon after the initial battles with the Iraqis, about twelve F-14s were operational again, conducting combat air patrols (CAPs) along the border. Five attack helicopters—an export version of the Soviet Mi-24—from the 1st Combat Transport Helicopter Squadron, 4th Composite Wing, Iraqi Army Air Corps (IrAAC) attacked multiple border stations in the Zain al-Qaws region on September 7 in the afternoon after breaking into Iranian airspace. Two F-14As were vectored to intercept when the nearby IRIAF radar station detected their appearance.

After a short while, the lead Tomcat pilot detected the Mi-25s on his radar and swiftly dove to pursue them. The pilot released one of his Sidewinders and tried to lock-on despite the heat from the ground. Although they weren’t all that great, the AIM-9P Sidewinders were unquestionably a significant upgrade over the AIM-91B/Es of the Vietnam era. The first missile lost lock-on and flew into the ground behind the Iraqi who was furthest behind. The Iranian pilot launched another Sidewinder, turning around quickly to prevent the Mi-25s from having a chance to fire back. Once more, the missile hit the ground after losing track. Technically, the engagement should have now been over.

An expensive interceptor like an F-14A is not expected to engage a heavily armed helicopter in close-quarters conflict, per most tactical manuals and current rules of engagement. The Iranian pilot, however, did not think twice. After choosing “GUN” on his control column, he fired, covering the rearmost Mi-25 with the gunsight pipper. The M61A1 Vulcan gun installed on the aircraft fired 400 rounds. Numerous bullets struck its target, and the Iraqi attack helicopter burst into a dazzling ball of flames.

Therefore, the first kill of this type came from an Iranian F-14A, about a year before the US Navy did. It was also surprising what weapon was employed. According to Navy legend, a few veteran F-14 pilots pledged to build a monument honoring the first person to score a gun kill in combat. The pilot who shot down the Mi-25 that September afternoon in 1980 is unlikely to be revealed publicly, though.

Iranian F-14 Tomcat units in combat is published by Osprey Publishing and is available to order here.

Photo by U.S. Navy, Tasnim News via Wikipedia and U.S. Air Force

October 28, 2023 0 comment

Helicopters

Australia cleared to acquire 40 UH-60M Black Hawks to replace its fleet of MRH-90 Taipan European Helicopters

by Till Daisd October 27, 2023

written by Till Daisd

Australia’s attempt to replace the troubled MRH-90 Taipan helicopter with the UH-60M has taken another step forward after the US government approved the potential Foreign Military Sale on Aug. 25, 2022

Australia’s attempt to replace the troubled MRH-90 Taipan helicopter with the UH-60M has taken another step forward after the US government approved the potential Foreign Military Sale on Aug. 25, 2022.

According to Transmittal No 22-51, ‘the State Department has made a determination approving a possible Foreign Military Sale to the Government of Australia of UH-60M Black Hawk Helicopters and related equipment for an estimated cost of $1.95 billion.

Additionally, in Transmittal No. 22-51 the US Defense Security Cooperation Agency said that ‘The proposed sale will replace Australia’s current multi-role helicopter fleet with a more reliable and proven system that will allow Australia to maintain the appropriate level of readiness to conduct combined operations. The UH-60M Black Hawk helicopter will improve the Australian Army’s ability to deploy combat power to share Australia’s strategic environment, deter actions against its interests, and, when required, respond with credible force. Australia will have no difficulty absorbing this equipment into its armed forces.’

As reported by Alert 5, in its justification to buy the UH-60M to replace the MRH-90, former Australian Defense Minister Peter Dutton said last year that the “performance of the MRH-90 Taipan has been an ongoing and well-documented concern for Defence and there has been a significant effort at great expense to try to remediate those issues.”

The fleet of MRH-90 Taipan helicopters, which has been in service with the Australian Army since 2007, is constantly plagued by issues related to maintenance and poor availability of spare parts, although it is considered better than the Black Hawk performance-wise. As reported by The Eurasian Times, the decision to scrap the European-designed helicopter comes about a decade sooner than expected.

The Department of Defense said in 2020 that the Taipans’ doors were too narrow to allow for firing when troops descended from the chopper.

The MRH-90 was first delivered to the Army and Navy in 2004 and hasn’t yet achieved what it promised.

The MRH-90 multi-role helicopter replaced the existing Black Hawk and Sea King helicopter fleets. 46 MRH-90 aircraft have been acquired for the Navy and Army.

The first two aircraft were accepted into service in Brisbane on Dec. 18, 2007.

Since its induction in the Australian Military, the helicopter has been plagued by maintenance troubles. In early 2021, the Australian military’s fleet of 47 MRH-90 Taipan helicopters was grounded due to maintenance and safety issues with the aircraft’s support system.

The fleet was grounded in 2019 as well, due to severe tail rotor vibration and delamination, which necessitated the replacement of tail rotors throughout the fleet.

The Defense Department stated in 2020 that it was spending more than $37 million in Townsville to hire civilian helicopters to retain capability while it dealt with long-standing issues with the MRH-90 Taipans.

Photo by Capt. Brian Harris / U.S. Army and Royal Australian Navy

October 27, 2023 0 comment

History

The B-17 Memphis Belle legendary Pin-Up Nose Art

by Till Daisd October 27, 2023

written by Till Daisd

Though it’s technically captioned “I’m the one with the part in the back,” the painting on the nose of the B-17 Memphis Belle is frequently referred to as “The Memphis Belle.”

During World War II, the B-17 Memphis Belle blazed a path of invincibility through the flak and fighter-filled skies over the Third Reich.

When the Belle, by happenstance, became the first bomber of the 91st Bomb Group over an enemy target, she distinguished herself at her very first taste of combat. Naturally, she went on to become well-known for being the first bomber in the Mighty Eighth Air Force to finish the necessary twenty-five sorties and return to the United States. Memphis Belle was attached to the First Combat Wing’s First Air Division. She is the first bomber ever assigned to a morale and war bond tour.

Memphis Belle was the first American bomber to be reviewed by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth and King George VI of England after completing her twenty-five missions. Belle’s skipper, Bob Morgan, rode into more American military history after fulfilling his mission requirements. In November 1944, he led the first B-29 Superfortress raid on Tokyo, Japan.

The Memphis Belle holds particular meaning as the initial American bomber to be recognized for its unusual nose art.

According to Brent William Perkins’ explanation in Memphis Belle: Biography of a B-17 Flying Fortress, men have used the feminine metaphor to show their love for their vessels for as long as they have gone to sea in ships. Furthermore, the only person who might possibly qualify as a suitable analogy in the eyes of a combat airman is a debutante of the species and her “class.”

She was first seen in the pages of Esquire magazine. The publication was popular for printing the works of Alberto Varga and George Petty as gatefolds or centerfolds. Along with thousands of other servicemen, Lt. Morgan was an avid reader. At some point during 1941, Morgan noticed one of the girls in the magazine and knew immediately that it was the work that would grace the nose of whatever bomber would be assigned to him.

Her initial appearance was in the pages of Esquire. The magazine gained popularity by printing George Petty and Alberto Vargas’s works as centerfolds or gatefolds. Like hundreds of other servicemen, Lt. Morgan loved to read. Sometime in 1941, Morgan saw a picture of a girl in the magazine and knew right away that this was the piece of art that would be displayed on the nose of the bomber he would be flying.

He requested permission to use the painting in a letter to the magazine. They supplied their permission and a copy of the print, which was quickly put to Morgan’s bomber, and were only too delighted to assist. This occurred in the final days before his crew departed Dow Field in Bangor, Maine, for England.

Memphis-Belle-pin-up-nose-art — Reproduction of the pin-up girl painted on the nose of the Memphis Belle B-17 bomber during World War II. The nose art was originally by Corporal Tony Starcer of the 91st Bombardment Group

The Petty Girl was applied on Morgan’s B-17 by a base worker he discovered there, but the result wasn’t very good, so Corporal Tony Starcer cleaned it up and repainted it when he got to England. He was gaining a reputation for being a rather skilled painter within the 91st BG, and he actually ended up painting more than 150 B-17s for the unit!

The title of the artwork is actually “I’m the one with the part in the back,” however it is sometimes misidentified as “The Memphis Belle.” The sixteen-year-old daughter of the artist, Marjorie Petty-Macleod, served as the model for this piece.

During the war, the word spread throughout the German fighter pilots stationed in England. They swore to shoot down the B-17 that had the leggy girl on its nose.

It was even claimed that a threat had been made during a radio broadcast of German propaganda. The announcer reportedly said, “If the Memphis Belle comes back to Germany, she will never go home again.”

At least eight German fighter pilots risked their lives in an attempt to keep that reporter to his word. Pilot Robert Morgan’s wartime girlfriend, Miss Margaret Polk, is depicted in the artwork. Their engagement terminated during the war bond tour, despite their well-publicized love story. Contrary to popular belief, Margaret is not directly depicted in the picture.

Memphis Belle: Biography of a B-17 Flying Fortress is published by Schiffer Publishing and is available to order here.

Margaret-Polk-with-Robert-Morgan-1 — Margaret Polk with Robert Morgan in front of the Memphis Belle. (Image courtesy of the Preservation and Special Collections Department, University Libraries, University of Memphis)

Photo by U.S. Air Force and MLWatts via Wikipedia

October 27, 2023 0 comment

Airshows

Here are some photos of F-22 Raptor stealth fighters first airshow appearance in Eastern Europe

by Till Daisd October 26, 2023

written by Till Daisd

On Saturday Aug. 27, 2022 the Slovak International Air Fest hosted two USAF F-22 Raptor stealth fighters from 90th Fighter Squadron of 3rd Wing

On Saturday Aug. 27, 2022 the relatively small regional Slovak International Air Festival hosted one of the most special guests it ever had. On both dynamic and static presentations, the US Air Force (USAF) sent a pair of F-22 Raptor stealth fighters from 90th Fighter Squadron of the 3rd Wing.

The two jets arrived at noon. Visitors of the airshow saw the aircraft flying capabilities in few overflights over the airstrip, after which both aircraft landed for the static display. The aircraft were stationed only 10 metres away from visitors, being much closer than during their last presentation in Germany (where visitors had to keep distance of 20 metres).

F-22-SIAF — One of the Alaskan F-22 Raptors after its landing, heading for the static display

Both pilots (Meteor Meador and Swiss Ritschard) were ‚hot objects‘ for both various TV crews and the visitors. The pilots even shook hands with them. Meanwhile the aircraft were refuelled by CA-18 cistern trucks (built on Tatra 815 truck chassis). After few hours the Raptors took off and headed back to Poland.

F-22-Raptor-SIAF — The F-22s preparing for the static display – only 10 meters away from the visitors, who could see the whole landing and taxiing procedures with their own eyes

The last two SIAF airshows were taking place on Kuchyňa AB, which serves as a homebase for 46th Transport Wing of Slovak Air Force. Kuchyňa is a relatively small airfield that now serves as one of the main service’s airbases, as the main – Sliač, is being under reconstruction, connected to the planned arrival of new F-16Vs.

SIAF-F-22 — Both pilots were greeted warmly by the airshow‘s visitors

As we have already explained, the Alaskan F-22s were forward deployed to the 32nd Tactical Air Base in Łask, Poland, from Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska, on Aug. 5 as a part of NATO Air Shielding mission over its eastern flank.

SIAF-F-22-Raptor — One of the F-22s being refuelled by a Slovak Air Force’s CA-18 cistern truck

“This F-22 deployment will add significant capabilities to our support of NATO’s collective defense,” USAF Gen. James Hecker, US Air Forces in Europe-Air Forces Africa, and NATO Allied Air Command commander said in a service news release. “The Raptors ability to perform both air-to-air and air-to-ground missions will exponentially increase the warfighting capability along the eastern flank as this rotation supports NATO’s Air Shielding.”

F-22-Raptor-Slovak — The Slovak ground personnel from the CA-18 cistern truck probably experienced refuelling Raptors for the first time

The Air Shielding mission is designed to increase the air and missile defense posture along the eastern flank of NATO’s alliance and is purely a defensive mission to shield and protect allied territory and populations and is a key component of NATO’s Deterrence and Defense posture.

“Our Airmen are well trained and ready to assist our NATO allies,” Hecker said. “Our Airmen’s ability to adapt, support and integrate with NATO’s Air Shielding mission shows our ability to respond to an ever-changing dynamic warfighting environment and strengthen the alliance.”

Photo by Jaroslav Cabuk

October 26, 2023 0 comment

Helicopters

Entire fleet of US Army CH-47 Chinook helicopters grounded over engine fires due to fuel leaks

by Till Daisd October 26, 2023

written by Till Daisd

After an undisclosed number of recent engine fires the US Army has grounded the entirety of its CH-47 Chinook helicopter fleet “out of an abundance of caution.”

After an undisclosed number of recent engine fires, the US Army has grounded the entirety of its CH-47 Chinook helicopter fleet “out of an abundance of caution,” the service confirmed on Aug. 30, 2022.

The news of shutting down the CH-47 helicopters was first reported by the Wall Street Journal. No deaths or injuries occurred due to the fires.

US Army spokesperson Cynthia Smith attributed the issue to fuel leaks in a statement emailed to Army Times. She said that the service has “identified the root cause” of the leaks and “is implementing corrective measures to resolve this issue.”

The leaks were due to faulty aftermarket O-rings that weren’t produced by engine manufacturer Honeywell International, the company told the Army Times.

“In full coordination with the U.S. Army, Honeywell helped discover that O-rings not meeting Honeywell design specifications had been installed in some T55 engines during routine and scheduled maintenance at an Army Depot,” the statement said. “It is believed these suspect O-Rings have been identified and isolated.”

Smith’s statement tried to downplay the scope of the problem, declaring that “some aircraft may not require corrective measures and may soon return to normal flight operations.”

The US Army spokesperson did not specify how many aircraft had caught fire and how many required corrective maintenance. Service officials have identified at least 70 aircraft with the faulty part out of the Army’s approximately 400 Chinooks, the Wall Street Journal reported.

While a joint team of Honeywell and Army engineers identified the engine problem, it’s not clear when they realized they needed to look for it.

An incident where a hovering Chinook had to land and use its fire suppression system to address “a small active fire near the aft portion of the No. 2 engine,” was highlighted in a July aviation safety bulletin published by the service’s Combat Readiness Center.

Smith added that the grounding was meant to “ensure our aircraft remain safe and airworthy.”

The CH-47 Chinook is the US Army’s only heavy-lift cargo helicopter, supporting critical combat and non-combat operations.

The CH-47 supports a full spectrum of operations, including disaster relief, homeland defense and security, and current overseas contingency operations, with a Future Force system design.

The first fully equipped US Army Chinook, designated the CH-47A, entered service in August 1962 with a gross weight of 33,000 pounds (14,969 kilograms).

The current CH-47F is an advanced multimission helicopter with a fully integrated, digital cockpit management system, Common Avionics Architecture Cockpit, and advanced cargo-handling capabilities that complement the aircraft’s mission performance and handling characteristics.

The Army Special Operations Command MH-47G combines many proven Chinook systems and features. Notable among these are fuel tanks providing twice the capacity of the CH-47F and an in-flight refueling system. MH-47Gs are remanufactured on the common MH-47G/CH-47F production line.

Photo by Acroterion Own work via Wikipedia

October 26, 2023 0 comment

History

The 50th anniversary of the mighty F-15 Eagle’s first flight

by Till Daisd October 26, 2023

written by Till Daisd

These incidents complete fifty years of undefeated air superiority missions for the F-15 Eagle, the fighter that has never been shot down in combat

The F-15 Eagle celebrated its 50th birthday, and there were celebrations all around the country.

According to AFLCMC Public Affairs’ Daryl Mayer, who was mentioned in the article, Eagle to celebrate golden anniversary, the ceremony was scheduled for July 27, 2022, at the Boeing plant in St. Louis, where all F-15s were and are currently made.

On July 28, there was a program office personnel celebration and a static display at Wright-Patterson. Col. Cesar Rodriguez, the MiG kill leader since the Vietnam War, retired. In 1991, during the Gulf War, he shot down two MiGs; in 1999, he shot down another one over Kosovo.

The F-15 Expo and the Gathering of Eagles banquet took place at the US Air Force National Museum on July 29. Ultimately, a celebration honoring the F-15 included a cake ceremony, a scavenger hunt, and community activities on August 5 at the Museum of Aviation at Robins AFB in Georgia.

F-15-Prototype-1200x950-1 — McDonnell Douglas F-15A (S/N 71-0280, the first F-15A prototype). Note the square wingtips and unnotched stabilator.

The fighter that has never been shot down in combat celebrated fifty years of unbeaten air dominance operations.

On an episode of AFLCMC’s Leadership Log podcast, Craig (BJ) Hunnicutt, a program manager for the F-15 Division at Robins AFB, and Greg (Sherlock) Watson, an IPT lead for the F-15 Division at Wright-Patterson AFB, spoke about this remarkable platform. Together, they have logged almost 5,000 hours in the F-15E.

Subsequently, in 1967, after the company was chosen to compete in the US Air Force’s FX competition, McDonnell Douglas developed the concept for the F-15. Confronted with the F-4 Phantom II, which was becoming known as a formidable fighter, McDonnell applied lessons acquired from the Vietnam War to his competition against Fairchild Hiller and North American Rockwell. Following over two years of rigorous testing and assessment, the Air Force awarded McDonnell Douglas the contract for the F-15 Advanced Tactical Fighter on December 23, 1969. Out of the three competitors, the McDonnell Douglas team had the lowest contract price and placed first in every round of the competition.

The goal of the McDonnell Douglas Group was to develop innovative technology. The Eagle’s exceptional acceleration and maneuverability are its most noteworthy features. It was the first US fighter to be able to accelerate during a vertical climb thanks to engine thrust that was higher than the aircraft’s basic weight. The Eagle’s strong power, lightweight, and large wing area all work together to provide exceptional agility.

“It was designed with energy maneuverability in mind, with the most power we could put on an airplane with two Pratt & Whitney F-100 engines at the top of their game and with the biggest radar that we can put on an air-to-air fighter in the APG-63 out of Hughes, which later became Raytheon,” Watson said.

First-F-15E — The first McDonnell Douglas (now Boeing) F-15E Strike Eagle, was used on March 2, 1987, at Edwards Air Force Base for Developmental Test and evaluation.

They combined that with as many missiles as they could carry and a 20-mm gun.

“We could fly further, we could fly faster, we could fly longer than any other fighter out there,” Watson said.

The two-seat F-15B (formerly TF-15A) trainer made its maiden flight in July 1973, while the F-15A made its first flight in July 1972. In November 1974, the first Eagle (F-15B) was delivered. The first Eagle to be assigned to a combat squadron was delivered in January 1976.

F-15EX-173rd-FW — F-15EX Eagle II prototype

In 1979, the Air Force began receiving the single-seat F-15C and two-seat F-15D variants into its inventory. On June 24th, 1979, Israeli F-15s began their 104-0 combat record when they shot down three Syrian MiGs. The F-15E Strike Eagle was created to meet the US Air Force’s requirements for air-to-ground missions. It took off for the first time in December 1986 from St. Louis.

“In addition to being revolutionary, the jet has been very evolutionary as well,” Hunnicutt mentioned the switch from analog to digital computers, the adoption of touch screens in place of dials and knobs, and the inclusion of GPS.

The F-15EX Eagle II, the most sophisticated model to date, was delivered to the USAF on March 11, 2021. The F-15EX will essentially carry out the F-15C/D’s mission, but as the F-15E is nearing the end of its useful life in the 2030s, the EX may begin to perform more ground-attack duties similar to those of the Strike Eagle variant.

Photo by U.S. Air Force

October 26, 2023 0 comment

Carriers

Tactical Action Officer on a US Navy aircraft carrier tells how long does it take to a Nimitz Class aircraft carrier to go to flank speed

by Till Daisd October 25, 2023

written by Till Daisd

‘It’s hard to imagine what a carrier doing flank speed is like,’ Ross Hall, Tactical Action Officer and Anti-Submarine Officer on Nimitz class aircraft carriers

Aircraft carriers are the centerpiece of America’s Naval forces – the most adaptable and survivable airfields in the world.

On any given day, Sailors aboard an aircraft carrier and its air wing come to the fight trained and equipped across a full range of missions. They are ready to control the sea, conduct strikes, and maneuver across the electromagnetic spectrum and cyberspace. No other naval force fields a commensurate range and depth of combat capabilities.

The Nimitz and Gerald R. Ford-class aircraft carriers are the largest warships in the world, each designed for an approximately 50-year service life with just a single mid-life refueling. USS Nimitz (CVN 68), USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN 69), USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70), USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN 71) and USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72) have all completed their refueling complex overhauls (RCOH) at Newport News, Virginia, with USS George Washington (CVN 73) and USS John C. Stennis (CVN 74) currently in Refueling Complex Overhaul.

The lead ship of the next generation of aircraft carrier, USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN 78) was delivered in 2017 as the force structure replacement for USS Enterprise (CVN 65), which was inactivated in 2012.

With a speed of 30+ knots (34.5+ miles per hour) Nimitz and Gerald R. Ford-class aircraft carriers are also very fast.

How long does it take (both time and distance wise) for a modern American aircraft carrier to go to flank speed?

‘It’s hard to imagine what a carrier doing flank speed is like,’ Ross Hall, Tactical Action Officer and Anti-Submarine Officer assigned to one of the Nimitz class aircraft carriers, recalls on Quora.

‘During our transit to the North Arabian Sea, we conducted a rendezvous in the Indian Ocean with an amphibious group that was transiting back to the US.

‘That day, the amphib guys showed off their LCACs, and we gave them an impromptu air show, with a couple of fly-bys for good measure.

‘As we parted company, our skipper announced “Let’s show them what an aircraft carrier can do”. We were barely making way at the time. He ordered us to depart at flank speed.’

He continues;

‘I left the combat center, and went to the aft of the ship to watch the fun. At the back of the hangar deck, there is an area (see above) below the flight deck where you can access.

‘When flank speed is ordered, power is applied to the shafts to turn the propellers. On the Nimitz class carriers, the four propellers are approximately 25 feet in diameter, and each weighs about 30 tons. When power is applied, torque on the shafts is limited to prevent damage – the shafts can “twist” up to one and a half times (540 degrees). The longest shafts are 184 feet long.

‘When the propellers start to turn, the water behind the ship begins to churn – it looks like the sea is beginning to boil. You can feel the ship vibrating as the engines ramp up and the propellers start to rotate.’

He concludes;

‘After about 10 minutes (I didn’t time it), we were at flank speed. The rooster tail behind the ship was approximately eye height (15–20 feet above sea level). I guess if you have a long enough cable and a death wish, you could waterski behind the carrier.’

Photo by U.S. Navy

October 25, 2023 0 comment

Carriers

US Navy May Dismantle USS Enterprise (CVN-65), the service’s first nuclear-powered aircraft carrier, at Commercial Yard

by Till Daisd October 25, 2023

written by Till Daisd

Due to a heavy workload at the US Navy’s yard Puget Sound, the service is looking to contract with a commercial dismantlement facility to dispose of USS Enterprise (CVN-65), the service’s first nuclear-powered aircraft carrier

Due to a heavy workload at the US Navy’s yard Puget Sound, the service is looking to contract with a commercial dismantlement facility to dispose of USS Enterprise (CVN-65), the service’s first nuclear-powered aircraft carrier.

Commissioned at Newport News, Virginia, on Nov. 25, 1961, USS Enterprise was the world’s first nuclear aircraft carrier. Ordered to assist the Project Mercury Program in February 1962, she tracked and measured the flight of the first American orbital spaceflight, Friendship 7. During the Cuban Missile Crisis that October, Enterprise participated in the blockade of Cuba. Along with USS Bainbridge (DLGN-25) and USS Long Beach (CGN-9), she was part of the nuclear-task force, Operation Sea Orbit, from May to October 1964, circumnavigating the globe without refueling. Following this cruise, Enterprise was redesginated CVAN-65 and was deployed in November 1965 for service in the Vietnam War, becoming the first nuclear-powered ship to engage in combat by utilzing her aircraft against the Viet Cong. On Jan. 14, 1969, an accident involving an F-4 “Phantom” on her flight deck resulted on 27 Sailors killed and 314 injured. After repairs, Enterprise continued to serve off Vietnam until 1973 and assisted in Operation Frequent Wind, the evacuation of Saigon, in April 1975. She was redesignated back to CVN-65 the following year. Deployed mainly in the Pacific and Indian oceans during the late 1970s and early 1980s, she entered the Mediterranean in April 1986 to assist in Operation El Dorado Canyon, the bombing of Libya. Two years later, she was assigned to Operation Earnest Will, escorting merchant Kuwaiti tankers in the Persian Gulf. Following a lenghty overhaul, Enterprise returned to sea duty in September 1994 and enforced no-fly zones in Operation Joint Endeavor off Bosnia and Operation Southern Watch over Iraq. In 1998, she successfully attacked Iraqi targets in Operation Desert Fox. To assist in the war against terrorism, she participated, beginning in 2001, in Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom and underwent further refurbishments and deployments until deactived in 2012. Enterprise was struck from the Naval Vessel Register on Feb. 3, 2017, and is currently awaiting nuclear recycling.

The ship is currently stored at HII Newport News Shipbuilding and according to a National Environmental Act Policy draft report, any shipyard would not start dismantlement until 2025.

The Navy listed several options for the dismantlement of the aircraft carrier but recommended one that allowed for a commercial yard to perform the work, according to the draft plan, first reported by The Kitsap Sun. According to USNI News, that option would cost $554 million to $696 million and take five years, compared to the other two alternatives that would last 15 years and cost $1.102 billion to $1.358 billion, according to the draft report.

The sea service also considered a no action alternative, which would see the Navy store Enterprise long-term.

In justifying the option to do commercial dismantlement, as opposed to a combined effort between a commercial facility and the Navy, the sea service wrote that the Puget Sound Naval Shipyard and Intermediate Maintenance Facility has a growing workload due to a “higher fleet operational tempo and capacity shortages across all of the Navy public shipyards,” according to the draft. It has already exceeded its capacity between current and expected projects.

According to the draft, the Navy can focus Puget Sound’s work on active fleet maintenance by using a commercial shipyard.

The 428-page draft looks at the environmental effects of dismantling Enterprise, which was built with eight nuclear reactors. The ship has already been defueled, with the fuel kept at Department of Energy Idaho National Laboratory property.

Under the preferred option, Enterprise would be towed to a commercial facility in Brownsville, Texas, Mobile, Ala., or Hampton Roads, Va. The commercial facility would then take apart the ship.

It’s possible the Navy chooses to send the ship to Hampton Roads, which is closer to its current resting place. However, a shipbreaking company is not named in the draft.

According to the draft, whichever shipbreaking facility wins the Navy contract will disassemble the eight defueled reactors and package them into several hundred small containers.

The low-level radioactive waste will then go to one of the three facilities to be recycled or disposed of in accordance to all applicable laws. The three facilities under consideration are Waste Control Specialists, LLC.,, in Andrews, Texas, EnergySolutions in Clive, Utah, or the Department of Energy’s Savannah River Site in Aiken, S.C.

If the Navy were to use Puget Sound to dismantle Enterprise, it would not be able to start until at least 2030, according to the draft.

Photo by U.S. Navy

October 25, 2023 0 comment

History

The USAF F-117A stealth fighter coming dangerously close to the left wingtip of an Iraqi Airways Boeing 747

by Till Daisd October 25, 2023

written by Till Daisd

As far as is known, this was the first time an Iraqi pilot had ever encountered the US Air Force’s stealth fighter

In answer to an Air Force request for an aircraft that could attack high-value targets without being picked up by enemy radar, Lockheed created the F-117A. During the 1970s, engineers were able to create an airplane that was “stealth” or could avoid radar thanks to new materials and techniques. The outcome was the F-117A, the first stealth aircraft to operate in the world.

On June 18, 1981, the first F-117A took to the air, and on October 1, 1983, the 4450th Tactical Group—later renamed the 37th Tactical Fighter Wing—achieved initial operational capability. On December 19, 1989, two F-117As from the 37th TFW attacked military objectives in Panama as part of Operation Just Cause. The 415th and 416th squadrons of the 37th TFW relocated to a base in Saudi Arabia during Operation Desert Shield/Storm in 1990–1991; this was when the F-117A saw action once more.

According to E.R. Hooton and Tom Cooper in their book Desert Storm Volume 1: the Iraqi Invasion of Kuwait and Operation Desert Shield 1990-1991, CENTCOM was able to investigate behind enemy lines during Operation Desert Shield by using a range of platforms in addition to satellite photography. SAC’s Boeing RC-135 Rivet Joint was the first USAF aircraft to be employed; it started Burning Wind SIGINT missions infantry on August 9 and was providing round-the-clock coverage two days later.

Since imagery was essential, SAC’s Lockheed U-2 very high-altitude photo-reconnaissance aircraft and Lockheed TR-1 tactical reconnaissance with side-looking radar began operations on August 29. On September 8, McDonnell-Douglas RF-4Cs flew the first medium-altitude photographic reconnaissance missions. As of December 2, 469 tactical, 421 strategic, and 2,800 ELINT sorties had been flown by Gen. Charles Horner, the Commander of US and allied air operations for Operation Desert Shield (and later Desert Storm), while 253 sorties had been flown by AWACS, which supported the shield and kept an eye on IrAF activity.

The Joint Surveillance Target Acquisition System (J-STARS), an airborne battlefield surveillance radar system with a 150-kilometer range that was mounted inside a modified Boeing 707 and renamed the E-8A, was one reconnaissance system that arrived late. In early September, the Joint Chiefs denied Schwarzkopf’s request for its deployment, stating that “Desert Shield is not suitable in time or place for introduction J-STARS.” Schwarzkopf had requested its deployment as early as August 10. The Pentagon only changed its mind just before the two available aircraft landed on January 12, 1991, with 44 remote terminals provided by six ground stations and four support vehicles.

The US-led Coalition uses a variety of aircraft, not just conventional ones, to keep an eye on the developments in Kuwait and Iraq. The crew of an Iraqi Airways Boeing 747, traveling over Najaf late on December 16, 1990, reported seeing an F-117A fighter near the left wingtip of the aircraft. Captain Remzi, a former fighter pilot with a lengthy career of flying Sukhoi Su-7BMKs and Su-20s during the war with Iran, led the crew. To the best of our knowledge, this was the first-ever interaction between an Iraqi pilot and the US Air Force’s stealth fighter.

Even if it’s still unclear what the latter was doing at that precise moment, 200 kilometers southwest of Baghdad, we might presume the F-117A was there to test the air defenses of the Iraqi Air Force. However, Remzi’s sighting of the F-117A stunned the IrAF leaders, leading them to believe they lacked the means against the most sophisticated US combat aircraft.

Desert Storm Volume 1: the Iraqi Invasion of Kuwait and Operation Desert Shield 1990-1991 is published by Helion & Company and is available to order here.

The weird story of the USAF F-117A that flew close to the left wingtip of an Iraqi Airways Boeing 747 during Operation Desert Shield (and a quick look at pre-Desert Storm Intelligence gathering) — Iraqi Airways Boeing 747

Photo by U.S. Air Force and Steve Fitzgerald via Wikipedia

October 25, 2023 0 comment

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