Equipment
Spadeadam's Equipment
On the ground, an order of battle (or ORBAT) of real, simulated and emulated threat radars are arrayed across RAF Spadeadam’s 9600 acres in order to provide a hostile air environment in which aircrews can hone their tactics, manoeuvres and electronic-countermeasures in preparation for combat operations. However, there are some restrictions as the Station encompasses a number of Special Sites of Scientific Interest and is also surrounded by farmland. For example, the use of chaff (formerly called Window) is limited but aircrews can practise their full chaff tactics over the North Sea against threat radars that RAF Spadeadam deploys to the north east coast of England. The current radar threats at Spadeadam comprise the surface-to-air missile systems SA-2, 3, 6, 8, 10 and 11, as well as the gun-related radars GUNDISH and SKYGUARD.
Emerging from lessons identified on operations in Afghanistan and Iraq, there has been an increased front line demand for training in ‘time sensitive targeting’, or TST, which involves the identification, acquisition and attack of mobile targets. RAF Spadeadam can offer just such training as the threat systems described above are complemented by a host of real, model, and inflatable visual targets, including real SCUD and STYX transport-erector-launch vehicles and missiles. These targets are developed, refurbished and deployed by Serco, RAF Spadeadam’s contract element. In addition to this invaluable TST training RAF Spadeadam will, in the near term, offer the only overland, urban Close Air Support training facility in the UK. This is a local initiative based upon the requirements of front line squadrons.
At this juncture there has been no mention of the infra-red threat to UK and allied aircrews, which are prevalent in Afghanistan and Iraq. Surface-to-air guided missiles SA-7, SA-14 and SA-16 are simulated at RAF Spadeadam by ‘Smoky SAMs’ which fly with the distinctive corkscrew flightpath.
A variety of actual actual and emulated threat systems and targets are available for the training of aircrews.
These include:
T43
T1Scud Missile