Frag Out! Magazine
Issue link: https://fragout.uberflip.com/i/1308154
(for instance in the onboard computing power) are making the difference in the upgrades for each of the variants. Even though the F-35B is still in its infancy in the RAF, the service is already planning the first upgrades. This stems from the fact that all aircraft planned to be delivered by 2023 would come in the incomplete Block 3F vari- ant, Block 3, or lower. Meanwhile, jets planned to be delivered as of 2023 would be compli- ant with the Block 4 specification, therefore being compliant with the full specification of the F-35 capabilities. The differences in the specification, compared to the earlier variants, would be visible in: Ä New Harris onboard computer meeting the TR-3 (Technology Refresh 3) standard, constituting the key enabling element of the Block 4 jets; Ä Integration of new weapons and sensors; Ä Replacement of the AN/AAQ-37 DAS with two new Raytheon devices; Ä Replacement of the AN/AAQ-40 EOTS with a new Lockheed Martin's system; Ä AN/ASQ-239 electronic warfare system in- tegration that also comes with new software; Ä Providing the jet with a capacity to carry six AIM-120 ARMAAM missiles, instead of four; Ä Integrating new weapons, including ones developed by the British industry. This refers to the Meteor air-to-air missiles, SPEAR 3 air- to-surface missiles, and JSM (Joint Strike Missiles). For that reason, the upgrade of the legacy air- craft up to the Block 4 variant is expected. However, no decisions have been made here, as to which aircraft would be brought up to the new standard. ITALY The Aeronautica Militare has already select- ed the aircraft that would form the backbone of the Italian military aviation for decades to come. Eurofighter is the first jet here. Since 2004 it has been a part of the inventory of the Italian Air Force - and it forms the backbone of the service. Since then, the Italian Air Force has received 28 Tranche 1 jets, 47 Tranche 2 aircraft, and 21 Tranche 3A airframes, out of 46 Tranche 3 jets originally planned to be acquired. The Italian Eurofighters bear the F-2000A (single-seaters) or TF-2000A (twin-seaters) designation. Italy currently op- erates 93 Tifone jets, belonging to six tactical aviation squadrons. The F-35 is the second type operated by the Italian Air Force. Italy, similarly to the UK, has been a part of the JSF program since the very inception, as a Tier 2 partner. Initially, Rome's original plan was to procure 160 jets. The Parliament made a decision however to cut the order down to 131 back in 2011. In 2012 another reduction happened, down to the level of 90 examples. More politi- cal disputes emerged later on. There was even a moment when the politicians were consid- ering resignation from the program altogether. Currently, it seems that the dispute has faded away and the decision to procure 90 jets is safely headed towards implementation. Out of 90 jets, 60 would come in the A variant while the remaining 30 would come in the B version. Half of the F-35Bs would be received by the Air Force, with the remaining 15 being destined for Marina Militare. The F-35B would become the basic asset for the Italian Cavour aircraft carrier and the Trieste landing helicop- ter dock (LHD). The third aircraft that the Italian Air Force op- erates is the Panavia Tornado - it is used in two variants, the IDS strike variety, and the ECR electronic warfare version. Currently, less than 50 Tornado IDS jets are used by the Italian Air Force. Throughout their service they underwent several upgrades, the latest of which (launched in 2010) involved the integration of the MIDS terminals for the Link- 16 datalink, upgrade of the cockpit instrumen- tation with MFDs, and lastly, the cockpit was adopted for use of the NVG systems at night. The jets have also received new armament - including the Storm Shadow cruise missiles. Tornado ECRs have also undergone upgrades, with the latest upgrade program launched AVIATION