6 Squadron, based at RAF Leuchars, have continued to develop the
multi-role capability of Typhoon by dropping inert Paveway II bombs for
the first time from the Tranche 2 version of the combat aircraft.
Pilots embarked on a series of
training
sorties over Cape Wrath Range last week to deliver this air to surface
capability as part of ‘Combat Ready’ training work up sorties. It is the
first time that 6 Sqn has dropped a bomb since it was re-formed at RAF
Leuchars in 2010 as a frontline Typhoon Squadron.
Officer Commanding 6 Squadron, Wing Commander Mike Baulkwill said:
“The successful delivery of Paveway II from a Tranche 2 Typhoon is
another step forward in the development of the platform’s multi-role
combat capability. The last time 6 Squadron as a whole conducted end to
end air to surface weapons training would have been when the Squadron
was flying Jaguars, a fitting return to bombing for the “Flying
Can-Openers”. Given the previous air defence role of the Station, I also
suspect that it has been a long time since a Leuchars-based squadron
has delivered a bomb”
The Paveway II bombing runs have been flown
as part of an Operational Training Week that provides an opportunity for
pilots to consolidate different phases of their multi-role training and
for the Squadron as a whole to conduct readiness activity for
contingent operations. The training week enables Squadron engineers and
support staff to undertake training and practice operations with live
and training weapons.
Senior Engineering Officer 6 Squadron, Squadron Leader Cameron Gibb explains:
“The addition of air to surface weapons activity augments the
well-rehearsed air to air training we do in support of Quick Reaction
Alert. Working under a more operational focus for a week or two at a
time puts everyone in the right frame of mind so that when called upon
to go on operations pilots, engineers and operational support staff are
always ready.”
Flight Lieutenant Oli Fleming, who as an Ex Tornado
GR4 pilot has operational air to ground experience, was the first 6
Squadron pilot to drop a Paveway II. He commented:
“Dropping weapons
from a Tranche 2 Typhoon is a good step forward for the Force providing
a multi-role capability. From an operator’s perspective, it is
impressive how easy the systems are to use enabling you to drop an
accurate bomb that strikes the target in a short amount of time.”
RAF
Regiment Forward Air Controllers (FACs) from the RAF Honington Air Land
Integration Cell (ALIC) supported the exercise, providing laser
designation and target ‘talk-ons’ ensuring that the inert Paveway II
weapons successfully struck their targets
The exercise formed part of ALIC FAC training for Afghanistan
ALI Cell Deputy Squadron Commander, Flight Lieutenant Quinn said:
“The opportunity to train with RAF Typhoons and achieve weapon releases within the
UK
is an important step forward for us. We have been able to not only
train our personnel for Operation Herrick but also train for future
contingency operations with this excellent multi-role platform.”
Background Information Royal
Air Force
(RAF) Leuchars in Fife is primarily responsible for maintaining Quick
Reaction Alert (Interceptor) North, providing crews and aircraft at high
states of readiness 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, to police UK
airspace and to intercept unidentified aircraft. The excellent
contribution of RAF Leuchars’ personnel, both at home and abroad,
provides critical support to the delivery of the RAF’s operational
tasks.
No 6 Squadron officially stood up at RAF Leuchars in
September 2010 as the third frontline RAF Typhoon Squadron and the first
to be based in Scotland. The Squadron took over responsibility for
providing the northern element of the Quick Reaction Alert force in
March 2011, providing aircraft and crews on high alert to scramble and
intercept unidentified aircraft approaching UK airspace. 6 Sqn is now
the lead Tranche 2 Multi-Role Combat Squadron.
Typhoon provides
the RAF with a multi-role combat aircraft, capable of being deployed in
the full spectrum of air operations, from air policing, to peace
support, through to high intensity conflict. It is currently employed on
permanent ops in the
Falkland Islands, UK Quick Reaction Alert North and UK Quick Reaction Alert South.
The
original version of the Paveway II laser-guided bomb entered service
with the RAF in the 1970s and is composed of a standard UK 450kg bomb
with a computer control group fitted to the nose, supporting a laser
seeker head and steerable fins. A tail unit is fitted with fins that
deploy after launch from the aircraft. Laser designation of targets can
be provided by the Litening III targeting pod, or from troops on the
ground using a laser target designator.
Paveway II equips Tornado
GR4 and Typhoon aircraft. The bomb’s guidance package takes over on
release from the aircraft and steers the bomb on to the source of
reflected laser energy. The bomb can be dropped from low or medium
level. Typhoon’s first operational use of Paveway II was in the Libya
air campaign in 2011.
An image released by the UK company showing a model of the Typhoon
reveals the combat aircraft carrying three of the air-launched weapons.
In this configuration, one would be carried on the aircraft's
centre-fuselage stores station - ordinarily reserved for an external
fuel tank - and two more beneath its wing.
