Typhoon Jets from RAF Lossiemouth in Scotland have conducted a test of Quick Reaction Alert capabilities. The aircraft scrambled as part of Exercise Seihan River in response to an aircraft simulating loss of communication and deviating from its flight plan.
Exercises of this nature are conducted throughout the year to provide training and test the tactics and procedures of the National Air and Space Operations Centre, RAF Battle Space Managers, the Police force’s Special Operations 15 and the Department for Transport. The Exercise also involves Voyager Air-to-Air refuelling aircraft based at RAF Brize Norton, which support the Typhoons as they would for a live scramble.
The RAF's primary responsibility is to defend the UK’s airspace, 24/7, 365 days a year. Today and every day, just as during the Battle of Britain, the UK maintains the highest level of readiness to respond to threats. UK Quick Reaction Alert operations fulfil two distinct missions. Firstly, it provides an immediate national air counter-terrorism response to a threat. Secondly, under NATO command and control, it provides an immediate response to unauthorised airspace incursions from other states, ensuring that the integrity of NATO airspace is preserved.
"The Exercise Seihan River serials aims to offer realistic training for not only the flying crews responding to an unknown threat, but also the UK Command and Control agencies. The UK National Air and Space Operations Centre is responsible for exercising tactical command, 19 Squadron manage tactical control of force elements and 78 Squadron, based out of the National Air Traffic Services centre, provide critical air traffic control services for safe and efficient transit of UK airspace. Today’s scenario successfully tested how the UK responds to an unknown threat ensuring a full appreciation of the rolls and responsibilities of all the agencies involved in securing the UK air Space."
Wing Commander Hindson
Exercise Director
The RAFs impressive multi-role Typhoon fighter aircraft are based at RAF Coningsby in Lincolnshire and RAF Lossiemouth in Moray, Scotland and can take off within minutes to protect the whole of the UK’s airspace. The role of Quick Reaction Alert is maintained alongside providing support to Operations such as the continued enhanced Forward Presence missions over Poland in response to Russian Aggression, Operation BILOXI conducting Baltic Air Policing in Romania, and Operation Shader based in RAF Akrotiri flying over Syria and Iraq.
The UK airspace is continuously monitored by the Control and Reporting Centres at RAF order to produce a Recognised Air Picture. When necessary, Typhoon fighters are scrambled, under the direction of RAF controllers at RAF Boulmer or Scampton to intercept, identify and, if required, intervene unidentified, uncooperative, or un-notified aircraft approaching our shores. This will often entail close coordination with NATO and National Air Traffic Services and is a routine part of the RAF’s air defence role to protect UK airspace.
The Aggressor DA20 Falcon aircraft was operated by Draken Europe who are contracted to provide simulated airborne threats.
"It was phenomenal to see how quickly the QRA aircraft can intercept our Falcon. Within minutes of the Exercise starting a Typhoon was alongside our aircraft running through the carefully rehearsed intervention procedures. The capability and professionalism of the Typhoon aircrew and the GCI controllers watching over them was evident throughout the Exercise.
At Draken Europe we are proud of our contribution to the Air Defence of the United Kingdom. Falcon 20 aircraft from our Teesside and Bournemouth bases routinely fly training exercises with Typhoon and F-35 aircraft providing a threat emulation that is scalable to the customer’s needs, ensuring that our armed forces are prepared to prevail in any scenario."
Mr Heasman
DA20 Aircrewman