The Royal Norwegian Air Force has retired its two Dassault Falcon 20 electronic warfare aircraft, bringing to an end half a century of operations with the adapted business jets.

A last operational flight with the Gardermoen-based type was conducted on 30 September, the service says.

RNoAF Falcon

Source: VanderWolf Images/Shutterstock

Norway had operated its electronic warfare-adapted Falcon 20s since 1972

Cirium fleets data shows that the special mission assets had been operated by the service since 1972. A third example, introduced in 1994, was retired from use in December 2017.

“Norway’s new [Lockheed Martin] F-35 fighter aircraft and [Boeing] P-8 Poseidon maritime patrol aircraft will take over the DA-20 tasks,” the air force says.

RNoAF Falcon 20

Source: Royal Norwegian Air Force

Retired type’s duties will be assumed by F-35 fighters and P-8 maritime patrol aircraft

Oslo has so far received 34 F-35As, from a planned 52-aircraft acquisition, and five 737NG-based P-8s. Its air force also earlier this year retired its last Lockheed F-16AM/BM fighters, after 42 years of use.

European Defence Editor Craig Hoyle has reported on the UK, European and international military aviation sector for almost 30 years, and has also been the Editor of Flight International since 2015. He joined FlightGlobal in 2003, and also compiles our annual World Air Forces directory.View full Profile

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