Spanish Navy Welcomes NH90MSPT Helicopter for Evaluation

The first NH90 helicopter of the tactical transport version for the Navy has arrived in Spain for flight trials. The aircraft has been at the Airbus Helicopters plant in Albacete since last week where it landed from the company's facilities in Germany.

At the Albacete , this first unit of a batch of seven NH90MSPT (Maritime Spanish Tactical Transport Helicopter) helicopters will undergo certification and qualification tests, with the aim of final delivery to the Navy in 2025.

The NH90 MSPT, which will operate from next year at the 14 Escuadrilla , at the Rota Naval base, features a new reinforced landing gear and a maximum takeoff weight of up to 11 tons.

The helicopter, designed for tactical transport missions and amphibious assault, integrates an Automatic Identification System (AIS) for ship/helicopter tracking and an automatic blade and tail folding system to minimize time on deck on ships and enhance onboard technician safety.

It also includes a fifth electro-hydraulic pump and a new Exhaust Gases Device (EGD) deflector and attenuator for the engine exhaust gases, enabling complete automatic blade folding and eliminating mechanical interference. Additionally, the helicopter incorporates a floating impact beacon capable of GPS-emitting the collision point coordinates.

Armada Española (Navy) will receive between 2025 and 2026 seven NH90 MSPT helicopters to replace the retired SH3D Sea Kings and the AB-212, which will reach the end of their operational life in mid-2024. While awaiting the NH90s, the Navy has opted for the SH-60F as an interim solution.

On the other hand, the reliability of NH90 helicopters is being called into question. The naval version of the NH90 is facing strong criticism. Australia has just retired its fleet of 47 units from the Australian Army. Norway, Sweden, and Belgium have also announced the withdrawal of their fleets of this model after making significant investments. The largest users, France and Germany, are also experiencing major issues. Apparently, the manufacturer Airbus is also unable to ensure the supply chain of spare parts. Other users such as New Zealand or Spain have not reported major issues to date. In Spain, it is being used as tactical transport in the Army, and as a SAR helicopter in the Air Force, where it has not yet reached full operational capability.

Spanish Ejército del Aire 14th Wing Based in Albacete will conduct maneuvers in Alaska, Hawaii, Australia, and India during 2024

 

According to statements made by the Chief Colonel of the 14th Wing of the Spanish Air Force last December, as part of a military festivity, the 14th Wing will engage in maneuvers alongside the German Luftwaffe and the French Armée de L'Air in Alaska (USA), Japan, and Hawaii between June and August 2024. This presents a significant challenge for the unit, which is also celebrating its 50th anniversary in 2024.

Established in 1974 to operate the Dassault Aviation Mirage F-1, one of the most advanced fighters of its time, the 14th Wing was located in Albacete at the decision of the Ministry of the Air. Prior to that, the base hosted the 37th Transport Wing equipped with DHC-4 Caribou aircraft.

The first 4 Mirage F1 arrived in Albacete on June 18, 1975, from the French airbase Mont de Marsans, part of an initial order of 48 units. In 2011, the transformation process to the Eurofighter began, and the wing currently operates around 35 units.

The Luftwaffe will lead these deployments, following a similar deployment in 2022 called Rapid Pacific in the Asia-Pacific region, involving 6 Eurofighters, 4 A400M transport aircraft, and 3 A330 MRTT tanker aircraft. The objective was to practice deployment and interoperability with allied countries from different continents if the need arises.

Initially, the 14th Wing will fly with 4 Eurofighters to Alaska for the Arctic Defender 2024 exercise, alongside 8 German Eurofighters, 12 Tornados, and 6 French Rafales, as well as A400M and A330 MRTT transport aircraft from all three countries.

After participating in this exercise, the next stop will be Japan for interoperability exercises with the Japan Air Self-Defense Force (JASDF). Subsequently, the aircraft will move to Hawaii to take part in the RIMPAC exercises organized by the US Navy.

Towards the end of July, the 14th Wing will participate in the 'Pitch Black' exercises in Australia, and the final leg will be in India, with the intention of joining the 'Tarang Shakti' exercises with the Indian Air Force, before returning to Europe.

However, this won't be the first time the 14th Wing has participated in maneuvers in such distant locations. In 2002, the wing took part in the Cope Thunder exercise in Alaska alongside aircraft from the USA, France, and Japan.

Maiden Flight of Spanish Navy's NH90 Tactical Transport Helicopter

On December 15, the first NH90 assigned to Armada Española (Spanish Navy) made its maiden flight at the Airbus Helicopters facilities in Donauworth, Germany. This MSPT version (Maritime Transport Spain) will primarily focus on transport and amphibious assault functions.

Delivery to Armada Española is expected in May 2025, once all systems are certified, and the assigned personnel complete their training. Given that it's a new and more advanced model, this process will take approximately a year.

These helicopters, along with others of the same version, will be assigned to the newly established 14 Escuadrilla, which will operate seven NH90s. It is expected that all of these will be delivered by the end of 2026.

This milestone for the Navy occurred days after two Airbus Helicopters H135s arrived at the Rota naval base from the Albacete factory.

The NH90s will replace the Sikorsky SH-60F, used as a temporary solution, as well as the Sikorsky SH-3D of the Fifth Squadron, retired in 2022, and the Agusta Bell AB-212 of the Third Squadron, scheduled for retirement in July 2024.

The construction of these initial seven NH90s for the Navy will take place at Airbus Helicopters facilities in Donauworth. The rear fuselage will be assembled in Albacete, then sent to Germany for final assembly of the helicopters. After testing in Germany, the helicopters will be transferred to Albacete for final certification, mission system installation, and delivery to the Navy.

In Rota, facilities used by the Sixth Squadron will be demolished to build a new hangar for the NH90s.

The NH90 MSPT incorporates improvements such as an automatic folding system for the rotor blades and rear fuselage, a new exhaust gas outlet system, transmission, engine management, AIS location system, and increased takeoff capacity. Additionally, it will be equipped with a floating beacon to emit GPS signals in case of an accident.

In summary, these NH90 MSPT helicopters, intended for the Spanish Navy, represent a new era in transport and amphibious assault capabilities, marking a significant technological advancement for Spain's maritime operations.

Armada Española (Spanish Navy) Welcomes First H135 Helicopter from Airbus Helicopters

The Spanish Navy has received the first H135 P3H helicopter out of a total of seven that will become part of the 12th Squadron of the Aircraft Flotilla (Floan) over the next two years. The Directorate General of Armament and Material (DGAM), which oversees the acquisition process, handed over the helicopter to the Navy at the Airbus Helicopters Spain facilities in Albacete.

Over a period of six weeks, this helicopter will conduct training flights with pilots from the 12th Squadron in Albacete. The H135 P3H helicopters of the Spanish Navy have undergone modifications to enable operations on ships. These modifications include pressurized fueling, manual folding of the main rotor, enhanced anti-corrosion treatment, float system, a night vision goggle-compatible cabin, weather and surface radar, electro-optical system (FLIR), side crane, baricentric hook, auxiliary fuel tanks, fast rope, and a MEDEVAC evacuation kit.

The Initial Qualification Campaign will take place on board a Maritime Action Ship in the first half of 2024. It is expected to achieve its Initial Operational Capability (IOC) in the second half of the same year, allowing it to be integrated into Deployable Air Units (Unaemb) and detachments (Unadest).

The H135 P3H is the first Airbus product to enter service with the Spanish Navy. It will replace the Hughes 500 helicopters of the 6th Squadron, which were acquired in 1972 and were used for anti-submarine warfare, liaison, transport, observation, among other tasks, and began to be phased out in June 2022.

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Spain receives first H135s from 36-helicopter order

Spain approves deal for 25 New Eurofighters under 'Halcon II' program

The Spanish Government approved a budget of 4.593 million euros on September 14 for the expansion of the Falcon program, which includes the acquisition of another 25 Eurofighters to replace some of the EF-18Ms in service and received in the period 1986-1990 and meet the needs of the first phase, in which 20 aircraft were already purchased to replace the ageing ex US Navy F-18s that equip the F-18 for the Canary Islands.

Spain already has 69 Eurofighter fighters. The acquired version will be the most modern, far from the early ones that left the Airbus factories. This Tranche 4 includes updates in software and radar, specifically the AESA ESCAN MK1, in which the Spanish company Indra works in consortium with the German Hensoldt. The new ESCAN Mk1 electronically scanned array radar will provide the ability to track multiple targets at close range while simultaneously scanning airspace hundreds of kilometers away.

The new Eurofighters will incorporate the Brimstone air-to-surface missile, the Taurus KEPD 350 cruise missile, the AGM-88E AARGM anti-radar missile, the Iris-T air-to-air missile, and the AARGM air-to-surface missile, as well as the JDAM guided bomb.

The version ordered by Spain is very similar to the 38 Eurofighters ordered by Germany for the Luftwaffe under the Quadriga program.

The 20 Eurofighters whose purchase Spain announced to replace the F-18s of the 46th Wing in the Canary Islands, and the 25 new ones announced within the Falcon 2 Program, will incorporate many of the improvements from the Quadriga project, including the ability to be armed with Meteor air-to-air missiles with a range of up to 150 kilometers.

The Spanish Air Force currently has a fleet of 69 Eurofighter fighters (17 Tranche 1, 32 Tranche 2, and 20 Tranche 3), distributed between Los Llanos AB, Albacete (Wing 14), and Morón de la Frontera AB, Seville (Wing 11). It is planned that the entire fleet will be capable of using the Meteor missile.

The first aircraft of the Falcon 1 program will leave the Airbus assembly plant in Getafe in 2026, with the following delivery dates: 3 aircraft in 2026, 5 in 2027, 6 in 2028, 4 in 2029, and 2 in 2030. With the addition of the 25 new Eurofighters, Spain will have a total of 114 units of this model.

According to unofficial sources, with this deal, Spain is clearing the way to acquire the F-35 to replace the remaining EF-18M, which already has official budget allocated

Spain orders Brimstone missiles and naval helicopters for 2023

The Spanish Ministry of Defense plans on awarding production contracts to industry for Brimstone air-to-surface missiles and new naval helicopters in 2023.

An acquisition to replace Spanish Navy SH-60B rotorcraft has already received interest from Airbus, offering an adapted NH90 Sea Lion helicopter, which is already in service with Germany.

The Brimstone missile will eventually be equipped on Spanish Air Force Eurofighter Typhoons, adding to an existing arsenal that includes GBU-10 and GBU-16 Paveway bombs, AIM-120B AMRAAM, Meteor and IRIS-T munitions.

“Hopefully, by the end of next year we will be able to carry Brimstone, which Spain is acquiring,” said Lt. Col. Jesus Salazar Ortiz de Landazuri, 14th Wing Air Group Commander, during the annual Airbus Trade Media Briefing.

The acquisition is expected to be supported by the UK’s Royal Air Force, as the weapon was originally developed for that service.

After a contract has been signed with European missile manufacturer MBDA, Spain’s Weapons and Experimentation Logistics Center (CLAEX) will then work on acquiring an initial implementation certification.

Spanish Air Force Eurofighter fleets from the 11th Fighter Wing at Morón Air Base, Seville and the 14th Tactical Fighter Wing at Albacete Air Base, Castile-La Mancha will both receive the weapon.

As plans currently stand, the 20 Eurofighters under order from Airbus as part of the €2 billion Halcon program designed to replace Spanish Air Force F-18s based on the Canary Islands, will not be equipped with the missile.

Meanwhile, as the Spanish Navy readies to replace Sikorsky SH-60B helicopters, a selection decision should be made in 2023.

breakingdefense 

Ejercito del Aire Spanish Air Force Eurofighter Typhoons from Ala 14 Ala 11 at Red Flag 2020-2 Nellis AB

USAFE F-22 Raptor trains with Spanish Air Force Eurofighter Typhoon and EF-18M at Albacete, Spain

On August, 17th took place, at the Albacete Air Base, a joint advanced aerial training exercise that included the participation of two F-22 aircraft of the USAFE and Eurofighter and F-18 aircraft of the Spanish Air Force.
In the traninig was evaluated the capabilities of the Albacete Air Base and the Tactical Leadership Program (TLP), to host an exercise that has the participation of a 5th aircraft generation, as are the F-22 of the USAF.
The exercise consisted of two independent missions to each other in the assigned flight zone, after carrying out the F-22 of the American Air Force a refueling mission in flight.
After the initial takeoff of two Eurofighters of the Air Force of Albacete Air Base, they carried out a mission with one of the F-22. Already in the work zone, dissimilar combat maneuvers were carried out, that is, between fighters of different characteristics.
At the same time, an F-18 of Ala 12 took off from the Air Base of Torrejón to meet in zone with the second American F-22 and perform the same type of mission.
Then the two Eurofighter of the 14th wing, in the air police mission, located the trace corresponding to the F-22 and made interception maneuvers for their subsequent identification. In the event of any offensive action of the attacking plane, they made defensive and coordination maneuvers in pairs to maintain the enemy's control zone.
Once the work was done in the sector, each American F-22 met with the couple of Spanish fighters assigned and proceeded to land at the Albacete Air Base.
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ejercitodelaire

Two USAF F-22 Raptors will exercise with Spanish Air Force on Monday, 13th August at Albacete Air Base

Two US fighter aircraft F-22 «Raptor» will participate next Monday in an exercise of aerial training with Eurofighter aircraft and F-18 «Hornet» of the Spanish Air Force.
The exercise, the first of these characteristics with F-22 in Spain, will take place at the Los Llanos air base (Albacete).
"This is an excellent opportunity for training and instruction that allows a joint assessment of the capabilities of the three aircraft, two American and one European manufacturing, in a demanding tactical environment," sources of the Air Force.
Raptors are supposed to arrive from Spangdahlem AFB, Germany, where are currently deployed
Ejército del Aire
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Spain Receives Latest Standard Eurofighter Typhoon with Enhanced Air-to-Surface Capabilities

Photo credits to AirbusDS

The aircraft were manufactured at the Getafe Final Assembly Line in the P1Eb FW (Phase 1 Enhanced Further Work) configuration which marks a key step in the overall Eurofighter evolution plan.
This same configuration is being retrofitted to in-service aircraft by other Eurofighter nations. It provides increased integration of a variety of air-to-surface weapons and enhanced targeting among other improvements.
Spanish procurement agency DGAM took delivery of the aircraft on 22 December and they were subsequently ferried to Albacete air force base to enter service. The remaining six of the 73 aircraft currently contracted by Spain will be delivered to the same P1Eb FW standard during 2018 and 2019.
airbus

Spanish Navy Receives Fifth Upgraded AB-212 Helicopter

On Tuesday 5 December, SENER and Babcock España, joint venture partners, presented the fifth upgraded Agusta Bell 212 (AB-212) to the Directorate General of Armament and Material (Dirección General de Armamento y Material, DGAM) of the Spanish Ministry of Defence as part of a total of seven units that came into service in 1974. The two last units will be delivered in 2018.
The presentation ceremony took place at Babcock's Aeronautical Maintenance Centre in Albacete.
SENER and Babcock España have entered a joint venture with the purpose of completing the life extension program of these seven AB-212 helicopters belonging to the Spanish Navy. This will extend their operational life in at least 15 years, by incorporating advances in equipment and avionics.
Thanks to this program, the helicopters will be able to operate without restriction in controlled military and civilian airspaces, in compliance with the requirement of new regulations, as well as giving them self-protection and defence systems that will allow them to be deployed in multinational missions with a low-medium threat level. aviationpros

USAF Deployed Eight F-16 aircraft and more than 200 Airmen to Albacete, Spain

ALBACETE AIR BASE, Spain – Eight F-16 aircraft and more than 200 Airmen from the active duty 388th Fighter Wing and Air Force Reserve 419th FW from Hill Air Force Base, Utah, are currently at Albacete Air Base, Spain, to participate in the NATO Tactical Leadership Programme through May 19.
TLP is an annual NATO Mission Commander’s School training program and is designed to provide joint training to increase NATO air defense with participating allies.
“The Tactical Leadership Program is a good opportunity for all the participating nations to work together,” said Master Sgt. Daniel LaBrake, Combined Aerospace Logistics Coordinator and the only enlisted member from the U.S. Air Force stationed at the Spanish air base.
Hill’s fighter wings will participate in training with NATO allied air forces from ten other countries.
“This is excellent training with some intense air operations and top of the line NATO jets from our coalition allies,” said Lt. Col. Surya Frickel, 466th Fighter Squadron commander.
During the large force exercise, the Hill AFB pilots will fly alongside 20-30 allied aircraft daily and against as many adversaries. Part of the learning that goes on is how to operate safely with the different aircraft and unfamiliar environments, as well as different languages and procedures.
“This exercise is a good example of the United States’ cooperation and long-lasting commitment to the security of Europe and maintaining readiness with our NATO allies,” Frickel said.
Though the wings have been on several training deployments together, this is the first time Utah’s 419th and 388th FWs are participating in TLP.
“Traditionally, squadrons stationed in Europe participate in TLP,” LaBrake said. “So it has been a new challenge to coordinate all of the moving parts so these Airmen can come overseas and get this experience.”
The deployment marks the last time the iconic multi-role fighter is scheduled to deploy from Hill AFB. F-16 aircraft from Hill's fighter wings have been flying over the skies of northern Utah for nearly 40 years.
“This is the last time the F-16 will deploy with the Hill designator ‘HL’ painted on its tail,” said Col. Michael Miles, 388th Maintenance Group commander. “We are extremely proud of the job we have done with the F-16 and we must do our best here at TLP to preserve the memory of the aircraft that is so dear to our hearts.”
Hill’s fleet of F-16s is being replaced by the Air Force’s newest fighter jet, the F-35 Lightning II. The first operational F-35As arrived at Hill AFB in October 2015. Hill currently has 20 F-35As and will eventually be home to 78 aircraft and three operational squadrons by the end of 2019. The 388th and 419th FWs fly and maintain the aircraft in a Total Force partnership, which capitalizes on the strength of both components.
hill.af.mil

Sin fecha para el segundo Escuadrón de Eurofighter para el Ala 14 de Albacete

El programa para completar el armamento del Ala 14 en la Base Aérea de los Llanos con Eurofighter continúa, pero la dotación no será «a corto plazo»
Más de cuatro años después de que los primeros Eurofighter llegaran al Ala 14 de la Base de Los Llanos todavía se espera la dotación del segundo escuadrón, el 141, si bien ya se ha completado la plantilla de 18 aviones para el primero, el 142. Los planes de Defensa y del Ejército del Aire pasan por ir dotando al segundo escuadrón del mismo sistema de armas, pero se trabaja sin fecha concreta.
latribunadealbacete

Spanish Eurofighters intercept two Russian aircrafts in NATO Baltic Air Policing Mission

Eurofighter Typhoon's Spanish Air Force deployed in the NATO mission, based in the Lithuanian Siauliai on Tuesday made his first interception operation of Russian aircraft that were not identified and were flying in the airspace of responsibility.
Two military aircraft were intercepted, identified and monitored to avoid from penetrating the airspace of the Baltic countries. The first was an IL-20 belonging to the Russian Air Force flying within the area of responsibility for Kaliningrad, while the second was a TU-134 "Crusty".
After completing 1 hour and 44 minutes flight, fighters returned to their base in Lithuania.
Esteban Villarejo abcblogs

Spain to patrol Baltic States' airspace with four Eurofighter Typhoon in 2016

Four Spanish Eurofighter Typhoon jets will begin patrolling the Baltic states' skies in 2016 as part of the rotating NATO mission.
A Spanish contingent with four Eurofighter Typhoons from 14 Wing, with base in Albacete, will be stationed in Lithuania, marking the third time for the Spanish air force to take part in the Baltic air policing mission. They will replace the Hungarian jets and crews who have been guarding the Baltic airspace with four JAS-39 Gripen jets since the beginning of September.
The official changeover ceremonies are scheduled for January 7.
unian.info

Spain's FAMET Receives 2nd NH90

Spain took delivery of its second NH90 TTH. This helicopter was produced in Albacette.
nhindustries

France reveals that lost 2 Mirage 2000 and 2 Alpha Jet in January Albacete disaster. 2 Rafale severely damaged as well

The French Air Force lost four combat aircraft as write-offs and a further two as severely damaged as a result of the disaster at Los Llanos/Albacete Air Base in Spain.
The accident, which saw a Hellenic Air Force F-16D Block 50 crash while attempting to take off on 26 January, resulted in the total loss of two Dassault Mirage 2000D fighters and two Alpha Jet trainers. As well, a pair of Dassault Rafale fighters suffered extensive damage.
As well as losing its aircraft, the French Air Force also suffered the loss of nine of its personnel in the accident, which is still being investigated.
janes

Airbus completes EC135 deliveries to Spain

The last of eight Airbus EC135 helicopters ordered for the Spanish Army's air-mobile force (FAMET) in December 2013 was handed over on 5 February at the company's Albacete factory.
The long-delayed deal was eventually reformulated to include a logistics support package for the aircraft - the first helicopter of its kind to be supplied for military use.
The same model is already widely used by Spain's paramilitary and national police forces as well as regional medical services, with more than 60 being operated in total.
All the military versions are being used by FAMET for training, including tactical missions and night flying, before the pilots move on to the Airbus AS532 Cougar, Airbus Tigre (Tiger) attack helicopter, and NHIndustries NH90.
janes

USAF F-15E damaged in Spain Albacete Air Base Crash

Eight injured U.S. airmen were treated for scrapes, burns, smoke inhalation and other minor injuries. One of the three U.S. aircraft participating in the exercise is known to be damaged, but U.S. airmen have been unable to look at it because the crash area has not been deemed safe. Another aircraft is too close to the crash site to determine if it has been damaged.
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