Spain stayed neutral during World War 2. During the Cold War
Spain was drawn to the West. In 1953 an agreement was made with the United
States. Spain receives military aid in exchange for American military
facilities in the country (i.e. Torrejón, Rota). Spanish naval aviation
comes to life in November 1954 when the Arma Aerea de la Armada
Espanola (Spanish Fleet Air Arm) is established. The Spanish Army
aviation is established on 10 July 1965 as Aviacion Ligera del Ejercito
de Tierra. It was renamed Fuerza Aeromóviles del Ejército de
Tierra (FAMET) in March 1973. When Franco died in 1975 the democracy
was restored. This made it possible for Spain to join NATO in 1982.
Nowadays the Spanish armed forces are in a continuous modernization
programme. Further (secondhand) F/A-18s have been delivered, they will
serve as a stopgap until the 87 ordered Eurofighter Typhoons have been
delivered. Other new aircraft are Eurocopter EC120B helicopters to replace
the H269s of Ala 78. Also, nine Casa C295s are on order, to supplement Ala
35's fleet of CN235s. There are also plans to replace the fleet of C101
jettrainers.
AIRCRAFT OF THE SPANISH AIR FORCE :
- FIGHTERS :
- EF-2000 Eurofighter
The four-nation Eurofighter Typhoon is a foreplane
delta-wing, beyond-visual-range, close air fighter aircraft with surface
attack capability. Eurofighter has 'supercruise' capability: it can fly at
sustained speeds of over Mach 1 without the use of afterburner.An overall
production contract for 620 aircraft was signed in January 1998, with 232
for the UK, 180 for Germany, 121 for Italy and 87 for Spain.As well as an
internally mounted 27mm Mauser gun, the EurofighterTyphoon has 13 hard
points for weapon carriage: four under each wing and five under the
fuselage.
- Mc Donnell Douglas EF-18 Hornet
Nowadays the Spanish armed forces are in a continuous
modernization programme. Further (secondhand) F/A-18s have been delivered,
they will serve as a stopgap until the 87 ordered Eurofighter Typhoons
have been delivered.109 EF-18s are in service in the Spanish Airforce.
EADS Military Aircraft carries out depot inspections on the EF-18
Hornets flown by the Spanish Air Force.
The comprehensive maintenance program covers the engines, fuel systems,
installation of a new VOR/ILS and repair work. EADS Military Aircraft is
also implementing an update program for EF-18 Hornet. This program
includes COMMS/NAV/INDENT and EW systems, cockpit upgrades, MIDS LVT,
improvements to the aircraft structure and modern mission computers. The
first prototype equipped with the new systems was completed in mid 2000.
- Mirage F-1CE/EE/EDA
A total of fifty Mirage F-1 aircraft are in service with the Spanish Air
Force as fighter aircraft and fighter bombers.
The modernisation programme for these aircraft covers 46 single-seater
and four twin-seater aircraft. The focus of this programme is primarily on
optimisations in the communications systems and the weapon, self-defence
and navigation systems in line with the current NATO standards. A further
objective was the standardisation of the aircraft cockpits.
- RF-4C PHANTOM II
The Spanish Airforce uses the F-4 Phantom in the reconnaissance
role.
11 RF-4C are in service in the Spanish Airforce, soon to be replaced by
the EF-18.
- TRAINING :
- Freedom Fighter/ Northrop F-5B
From 1970 onwards, a total of 70 F-5 aircraft were manufactured for the
Spanish Air Force by CASA under licence from Northrop. Over the course
of the years, various modernisation programmes have been carried out on
these aircraft.
These include newly certified and structurally re-developed wings and
the conversion of single-seater F-5A aircraft into twin-seater F-5B
aircraft. The aim of this programme was to be able to use the largest
possible number of twin-seaters as trainer aircraft.
- CASA C-101 Mirlo
At the end of the sixties, it emerged that the Spanish Air Force
required a new, up-to-date jet trainer to replace its fleet of T-6, HA
200 and T-33 aircraft. The requirement was for an aircraft with
excellent manoeuvrability, easy handling and low operating costs.
The prototype had its first flight on 27.6.1977 in Getafe. The first
production aircraft entered service for the Spanish Air Force from 1980
onwards under the name "Mirlo".The C-101 has an integrated
navigation and weapon system with a head-up display, air data and mission
computer and an inertial navigation platform. In addition, the modular
design allows the aircraft to be used for armed patrol, reconnaissance and
ECM missions.
-TRANSPORT :
- CN-235
The CN-235 is a high-wing, pressurised, twin turboprop tactical
transport aircraft capable of operating from short, unpaved runways. The
CN-235 is in military service in more than 20 countries worldwide, and
it enjoys an excellent reputation for mission versatility, minimal
support requirements, safe and reliable operation in all kinds of
environments and low operating costs. It can carry a maximum payload of
6,000 kg and its maximum cruising speed is 245 kt (455 km/h).
- C-295
The Spanish Air Force announced in April 1999 a launch order
for nine C-295s. The contract was signed in January 2000, and deliveries
will start in mid 2001. In Spanish Air Force service the C-295 will take
over some of the missions currently assigned to the C-130 Hercules, at a
fraction of the cost.The C-295 can carry up to 73 troops, five 88´´x108´´
standard pallets or up to 27 stretchers for medical evacuation. The C-295
has excellent low level flying characteristics for tactical penetration.
Maximum payload in excess of 9 Tons and maximum cruise speed is 260 kt
(480 km/h).
- Falcon 900
FS5/FS98 Falcon 900 Ejercito del Aire Espanol (Spanish Air
Force). These Dassault aircraft fly VIP transoceanic transport for the
Spanish Royal Family and government by the 45 Squadron at Torrejon.
- C-130H Hercules
Spain's C-130 fleet are flown by two
squadrons both located at Zaragoza, the 311th Transport Squadron operates
six C-130Hs and one C-130H-30 while the 312th Refueling Squadron
flies five KC-130Hs.
- Boeing 707
The Spanish Airforce has 4 Boeing-707 Transport/Tanker
Aircraft.
- MARITIME SURVEILLANCE :
- P-3A/B Orion
The P-3 Orion land-based maritime patrol and anti-submarine
warfare aircraft is operational in the airforces of ten countries. Spain
has 7 P-3 Orions in its inventory, these Orions came from Norway.
- HELICOPTERS :
- SA-330/AS-332B Puma/Superpuma
The Puma medium lift helicopter was in production until 1987
featuring many roles including military and civilian. Used in the army as
a troop carrier it could seat twelve occupants. As a civilian based
helicopter the Puma could seat twenty passengers. A total of 696 Puma's
had been sold by the end of manufacture although they are still produced
in Romania.
AS 332 Super Puma: Differs from the SA 330 Puma through an improved
rotor system, upgraded engines, stretched fuselage, and a modified
nose shape.
- Eurocopter EC-120B
Following an invitation for bids open to all competitors,
and a comparative assessment of five competing helicopters, the Spanish
Defense Minister and Eurocopter signed by end 1999 a contract worth 100
million francs (15 million Euros), which set the terms for the supplying
of 15 light single-engine EC 120B Colibri helicopters. The deliveries will
begin in July 2000 and be completed by June 2001.With the acquisition of
the EC 120B Colibri, the Spanish Air Force will now have at its disposal a
lightweight aircraft that is easy to operate, and which also has
demonstrative piloting capabilities and an important new technological
advancement.
