Typhoon jets operating as part of 121 Expeditionary Air Wing in Romania have exercised with B-52H bombers from the United States Air Force.
According to the Royal Air Force here, two RAF Typhoons currently operating out of Mihail Kogalniceanu Air Base in Romania conducted a practice intercept and escorted two USAF B-52H Stratofortress long range bombers that were transiting through Romanian airspace.
“This training opportunity provided RAF and USAF crews, who regularly work together, the opportunity to test their collective operating procedures.
The RAF’s 121 EAW, currently deployed to Mihail Kogalniceanu Air Base, near Constanta, is responsible until September 2021 for supporting the Romanian Air Force in the protection of its airspace as part of NATO’s enhanced Air Policing (eAP) mission. This defensive mission is shared between NATO allies on a rotational basis.”
Wing Commander Lamping, Commanding Officer of 121 EAW, was quoted as saying:
“Having recently been certified by NATO to carry out our Air Policing mission here in Romania this sortie provided us with a valuable test of our preparedness and is a visible demonstration of our ability to integrate effectively with our NATO allies.”
Couldn’t a B52 carry a Typhoon as a “spare” in it’s bomb bay?
B52’s are big but not that big. However, the USAF did investigate a ‘fighter carrier’ back in the early 70’s (cannot remember the exact date)
Both the C5 and Boeing 747 were evaluated, with each able to launch and recover about 5 purpose built mini-fighters.
There were at least two parasite fighter projects in the 50’s, the first being the Goblin which was designed to fit in the bomb bay of the B36 – for students of the weird, the Goblin was right up there with the best! The second involved using a F84. Neither resulted in operational kit.
Here’s a good little doc on the concept. https://youtu.be/drnxZlS9gyw
Very informative in a micro-detail sort of way, cheers!
There was an interesting TV documentary a few years back about “Parasite Fighters” all sorts of different aircraft were built or tested.
And still of great use to US and Coalition ground forces it appears.
“The United States is deploying additional military aircraft to bolster protection for US and coalition troops making their final withdrawal from Afghanistan as the fighting between Afghan government troops and the Taliban continues at a high level.”
https://www.janes.com/defence-news/news-detail/us-deploying-b-52s-fa-18s-to-protect-troops-withdrawing-from-afghanistan-amid-high-levels-of-violence
What exactly is the usefulness of B52s in todays environment only perhaps in unopposed strikes against ground Forces.so interdiction by Typhoons as in this case seems hardly usefull
I think you might not want to be stood under one that drops it’s load mate……
I think this article may hold the answer?
“The Air Force has argued that it needs a nuclear missile that can be fired from standoff distances to enable the non-stealthy B-52 to remain a credible deterrent to adversaries with advanced air defense systems.”
https://www.defensenews.com/smr/nuclear-arsenal/2020/04/20/the-air-force-made-a-surprise-decision-to-sole-source-the-long-range-standoff-weapon-heres-who-will-move-forward/
The difference between angles of attack …… probably the difference between sub sonic high altitude, money no question,1950’d Bombers and late 1990’s Mach 2 Fighter Bomber, multi purpose, budget limited UK options…… Funny to see these are still flying when all ours are ancient history now.
Interesting report on Defense News (US) of an interview with AM Mike Wigston. He is looking to a loyal wingman being operational alongside Typhoon by the end of the decade. He sees Tempest as operational by the late thirties. I assume that must imply a further purchase of Typhoons because the existing airframes won’t last until 2040.
Or F35 buy?
I agree with the intensity of use and tiny number of planes the Typhoon airframe hours are being eaten up fast.
Wigston was very careful in the interview to avoid any commitment to further purchases of F35 beyond the vague aspirations in the recent defence review. Ideally, we would want more of both types. I am pretty sure a further order for Typhoon just to maintain existing numbers is likely.
If they can find the money to pay for it, an additional UK purchase of new Typhoons (say, after the German new-builds have been delivered) using early versions of some of the tech designed for Tempest would be useful. Digital controls on the Engines, RADAR and EW upgrades, cockpit display and electronic upgrades. It would allow early maturation of some of the technologies being planned for Tempest.
Seems there’s an issue with article rating not working.
Beautiful photos.