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Sri Lanka Air Force Aircrafts
- Thread starter nokia_owner
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The SLAF received the first two Shaanxi Y-8s (Antonov An-12s licence-built in China) in 1987. One of these, serialled "CR-872", was shot down on 5 July 1992 while on approach to Jaffna, killing 20 on board. The second example, "CR-871", was grounded shortly after due to technical difficulties. After losing also two HS.748 transports in spring of 1995, in emergency the SLAF loaned this Y-8 from China. The aircraft was serialled "CR-873". While some contemporary reports indicated that it was returned subsequently, it was outright purchased and continued soldiering with SLAF until crashing in a non-combat related accident, on 15 August, 2002. All the SLAF transports saw heavy service while supporting the air-bridge from Katunayake AB to Palay airfield, in the mid-1990s: they were used for hauling reinforcements and supplies to Jaffna, and evacuating casualties to such a extension that several aircraft suffered corrosion damage from blood. Also, the runway of Palay airfield saw such heavy use, that it is considered as in need of repairs already since several years
In 1991 a total of four F-7BS' were purchased by Sri Lanka. They were serialled CF704 thru CF707 and entered service with the No.5 Squadron, based at Katunayake AB. In addition also two Guizhou FT-7Bs were purchased, of which one - CF703 - remains in service with the same unit until today, together with additional F-7BS', acquired subsequently (serialled CF708 upwards). The whole fleet was mothballed for a better part of the 1990s for lack of crews, which were needed in the course of expansion of other units.
In January 1996 the SLAF received the first two Kfir C.7s and a single Kfir TC.2. These entered service with the newly-established No. 10 Squadron, based at Katunayake. Both C.7s were soon in action against the LTTE, frequently operating from airstrip at Iranamadu, some 80km south of Jaffna. In operaitons, however, the Kfirs proved to have a lower bomb-carrying capacity and endurance than the MiG-27s, subsequently acquired from the Ukraine. Some losses occurred as well: the Kfir depicted here, serialled "CF-712" was lost already on 21 January 1997: pilot ejected after experiencing unknown technical difficulties and the plane crashed into the Negombo Laguna.
The SLAF purchased at least 12 Mi-8 and Mi-17s since 1993. The first examples were acquired in the Ukraine and were in relatively poor condition. Subsequently all were overhauled and have got completely new camouflage, usually consisting of light earth and green.
In late 2000 the SLAF received a second batch of Kfir C.7s from Israel. These aircraft were all refurbished by IAI before delivery, and show few minor differences compared to the first batch, including the addition of RWR-blisters under the cockpit, as well as aerials on the spin. Interestingly, they do not wear national markings, only serials and the name "Kfir" bellow the cockpit. Also of interest are titles "SLAF" applied on the underside of the fuselage, near the rear edge of the wing.
Ever since arriving in Sri Lanka, in August 2000, the MiG-27M became the backbone of the SLAF. The MiG's excellent navigational and fire-control systems excelled in attacks on LTTE bases. The type is known to have caused heavy losses and was eventually the reason behind the subsequent Tamil raid against Katunayake AB, in July 2001. In SLAF service, the MiG-27Ms were all painted in a colour very similar to Light Ghost Grey overall. National markings were downsized to minimum, and the serial is also applied in very small characters on the fin.
The most recent addition to SLAF was a number of highly modified Mi-35Ps and Mi-24Vs, all of which have not only got a completely new camouflage pattern, Israeli RWRs and EW-systems (supplied in early 2000), modern warning systems for defence against IR-homing MANPADs, and Western chaff&flare dispensers - but also small FLIR-turrets, mounted on the left side of the fuselage, right behind the cabin-doors. These "Hinds" appear to be a far cry from worn-out examples originally purchased from the Ukraine in the mid-1990s, which suffered a number of combat losses. They do not wear any national markings, and their camouflage patterns differs from helicopter to helicopter. The No.7 Helicopter Squadron SLAF operates a mix of at least six such Mi-24s and Mi-35s.
The RQ-2 Pioneer is an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) that has been utilized by the United States Navy, Marine, and Army, deploying aboard ship and ashore since 1986. Initially deployed aboard battleships to provide gunnery spotting, its mission evolved into reconnaissance and surveillance, primarily for amphibious forces. It is now deployed aboard the AUSTIN Class amphibious transport dock.
It was developed jointly by AAI Corporation and Israel Aircraft Industries. The program grew out of successful testing and field operation of the Tadiran Mastiff UAV by the American and Israeli militaries.[2]
It was developed jointly by AAI Corporation and Israel Aircraft Industries. The program grew out of successful testing and field operation of the Tadiran Mastiff UAV by the American and Israeli militaries.[2]
The IAI Searcher (also known by the Hebrew name מרומית Meyromit - "Marsh tern" [1], or officially in Israel as the חוגלה Hugla - "Alectoris") is a reconnaissance UAV developed in Israel in the 1980s. In the following decade, it replaced the IMI Mastiff and IAI Scout UAVs then in service with the Israeli Army.
The Searcher looks almost identical to the Scout and Pioneer, but is scaled up, and in fact is well over twice the size of the Scout. The Searcher is powered by a 35 kW (47 hp) piston engine. It not only features updated avionics and sensor systems as well as greater endurance, but increased redundancy for improved survivability
The Searcher looks almost identical to the Scout and Pioneer, but is scaled up, and in fact is well over twice the size of the Scout. The Searcher is powered by a 35 kW (47 hp) piston engine. It not only features updated avionics and sensor systems as well as greater endurance, but increased redundancy for improved survivability
The IAI Scout (known in Israel under its Hebrew name זהבן - "Oriole") is a reconnaissance unmanned air vehicle developed in Israel in the 1970s by Israel Aircraft Industries as a competitor to the Tadiran Mastiff. During the 1970s, the Israeli military was becoming increasingly interested in battlefield UAVs, and in response IAI management finally decided they were interested in the concept as well. The Scout had a similar configuration to the Mastiff, with a pusher propeller and a twin-boom tail
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