The third quarter of 1997 will see the first Royal Netherlands Air Force (RNlAF) squadron begin conversion to Lockheed Martin F-16s upgraded under the Mid-Life Update (MLU) programme. The introduction of the MLU aircraft, with its associated weapons and systems, will dramatically broaden the operational flexibility of the almost 20-year-old fighter.
All six RNlAF operational squadrons are tasked in the "swing role", where pilots are qualified to perform at least two roles. One squadron is tasked with clear-weather interception (CWI) and reconnaissance; four have CWI and air-to-ground taskings; while the sixth is the tactical standardisation and evaluation squadron. A seventh squadron has a training role.
The swing-role concept has been proven in Bosnia, where Dutch F-16s have been flown routinely with NATO's Rapid Reaction Force, carrying a mix of air-to-air and air-to-ground weapons in operations known as Swing CAP (combat air patrol). The introduction of the MLU aircraft, however, may well have an impact on operational concepts and training, including the swing role.
In addition to the standard MLU package (Flight International, 20-26 November, 1996) the RNlAF has included the air-combat tactics-evaluation system/standard flight-data recorder (ACTES/SFDR) from Israeli company RADA. Also included is an increased chaff/flare capacity, accommodated in wing pylons, and the upgrade of the Northrop Grumman ALQ-131 electronic-countermeasures pod from Block 1 to Block 2. Provisions have been added for a forward-looking infra-red (FLIR)/laser-designator pod, a helmet-mounted cueing system (acquisition is expected during 2001-2) and night-vision goggles (NVGs), a new reconnaissance pod with near-real-time capabilities, and a microwave landing-system
The MLU clears the way for the introduction of night-vision equipment and the yet-to-be-selected laser-designator pod. A decision is expected on the purchase of up to 60 FLIR pods for navigation, along with ten designator pods. These systems should enter service by 1999. The RNlAF will employ the laser designators using the "buddy-lasing" concept. This way, up to three F-16s armed with laser-guided bombs will be operated with a single designator-equipped F-16.
Changes to training
Training will change with the introduction of the MLU aircraft. With the basic F-16A, after-dusk flying is conducted mainly for navigation training, but night flying will now become a major part of the syllabus. "Night training will be increased. Around the turn of the century we will get the FLIR and NVG. There is no doubt about that," says Col Ben Ruijs, head of the Department of Fighter Operations. "As we see it now, the increase will be for the greater part at Goose Bay [in Canada] because there we have the opportunities for evening and night flying, and at low level," he says. Rather than an increase in flying at Goose Bay, flight time will be re-allocated to cover more night operations.
Originally, the laser designators were meant for single-seat F-16s, but, under certain conditions, two-seat aircraft will be deployed with the pod. "As we see it now, it will be demanding to perform the laser-targeting task at night, below the weather, with a single-seater. When the requirement emerges, we will definitely assign two-seaters," says Ruijs.
He says that air-to-air operations are not going to change as much. Every pilot remains qualified for this mission. "We get an all-weather air-to-air capability with the Hughes AIM-120B advanced medium-range air-to-air missile [AMRAAM], allowing us to shoot radar-guided missiles beyond visual range. That is, of course, a bit harder to achieve than the clear-weather intercept role our F-16s conduct with the AIM-9 Sidewinder," he says.
It is not only the AMRAAM which gives the RNlAF a bigger air-to-air punch, but also the improved data-modem (IDM) datalink. According to Maj Bas Pellemans, a fighter-weapons instructor assigned to operational requirements in the Department of Fighter Operations, up to four F-16 pilots can log on simultaneously to transfer radar targets to each other's multi-function displays. This way, the radar field of view of a single F-16 is increased significantly, improving the pilot's situational awareness. Dutch McDonnell Douglas AH-64D Apaches, which enter service in 1998, will also be equipped with the IDM, but there are no definite plans for co-operation between the F-16 and Apache. "Data exchange between the two is not as simple as it sounds. There are different software protocols which are not geared optimally. We are now looking to see if any linkage is meaningful. Before we continue with this, there should be a basis for co-operation between the F-16 and Apache," he says.
The conversion to the MLU starts with 322 Sqn at Leeuwarden AB in the third quarter of 1997. A major issue is the assignment of tasks. "We want to be as flexible as possible," says Ruijs, "The MLU and new weapons are so versatile, however, that the pilot cannot perform all of the tasks any more, so task specialisation is unavoidable. We will probably introduce task specialisation within the squadron. Then we can assign a squadron to be, for instance, dedicated to a role for 70% of tasks, such as night operations. Another squadron gets to do more in another dedicated role."
The RNlAF's Villafranca AB, Italy, detachment, maintained for Bosnia operations since 1993, is relieved every six months by personnel from another F-16 base. These personnel are not exclusively provided by a reaction-force (RF) squadron, but by all operational F-16 squadrons from a particular base. "Thus, not all expertise is with the RF squadrons. The whole air base provides support and all pilots receive a basic theoretical knowledge of the different systems and weapons," says Ruijs. This way, it takes less time to get them trained for other missions.
This concept has already been introduced on a small scale. A year ago, all flights within a squadron were equal, but that changed when the Hughes AGM-65 Maverick air-to-surface missile was introduced. This precision-guided weapon is also in use at Villafranca AB. For Bosnia operations, a limited number of AGM-65Ds has been leased from the US Air Force, pending delivery of AGM-65Gs in 1998. Only a few pilots of this detachment are qualified on this weapon.
Simulation will play a key role in the transition of aircrew from the F-16A to the MLU-standard aircraft. Each squadron will get its own unit-level trainer (ULT) from Thomson Training & Simulation. The three F-16A simulators at the three main operating bases are to be withdrawn from use because the much smaller ULTs are more capable.
Airframe fatigue
In the Netherlands, the ACTES/SFDR is referred to as the flight-fatigue analysing and combat-evaluation system (FACE). It measures airframe fatigue during the flight and is used as a debriefing aid for air-combat manoeuvring (ACM) training. An analysis of ACM missions with up to four F-16s is possible. Every squadron gets its own operational debriefing station (ODS) delivered by Israeli company Elbit. The ODS is air-transportable, making it possible to take it on deployments out of area.
The RNlAF continues to follow developments in air warfare and new systems and weapons. The air force is also understood to harbour ambitions to acquire the precision-guided McDonnell Douglas joint direct-attack munition. A tentative requirement for this weapon could emerge later this year.
"We have a requirement for a self-defence weapon against radar-guided surface-to-air threats. When an adversary knows that you carry an ARM [anti-radiation missile], he will hesitate to activate the radar, let alone track you," says Ruijs. The RNlAF says that, without an ARM, some flexibility is given up. "It is, of course, not good that certain assignments cannot be done because the risk is too high when you do not carry ARMs," it says. An official requirement for an ARM is to be send to the Dutch parliament soon and procurement is expected in 1998. The budget for the ARM project is DFl100-250 million ($57-145 million). The Texas Instruments AGM-88 high-speed anti-radiation missile is widely regarded as the most likely procurement option for the air force. It is already cleared for use on the F-16 and is fielded by several other F-16 operators.
A requirement for a missile-approach warning system is also set for this year. The system would provide warning and countermeasures against infra-red-guided missiles. The budget is DFl25-100 million. According to Ruijs, such a system for the F-16 is not yet available and will be difficult to develop. "Frequent false alarms and activation of the countermeasures is unacceptable. The space for chaff/flare is very limited. It would be unfortunate if you did not have any chaff/flares any more when you really need them," he warns.
The way the RNlAF is going to manage MLU assets is not yet fully determined and, according to Ruijs, will remain subject to changes for years to come. "We know from brochures what we have acquired. Much of the equipment nobody has ever worked with. We do not know yet exactly what the task load of the squadrons and pilots will become. We can philosophise about what we are going to do, but, in reality, it may change," Ruijs concludes.
Source: Flight International
