First Word
Exciting times ahead in the Air Force - The Big Projects
GPCAPT Tony Davies, Assistant Chief of Air Force Capability. (OH-08-0030-06).
GPCAPT Tony Davies, Assistant Chief of Air Force Capability
There’s no avoiding the big projects. There is a lot of talk out there about our new and upgraded aircraft that are on their way, and the special effects department already has an NH90 out recruiting the next intake on TV! It’s good to see the awareness growing, because these are exciting times – every single one of our operational aircraft is being upgraded or replaced over the next four years. The Air Force as a whole is stepping up to the sort of equipment you’d expect to see in the 21st Century, and stepping up to the level of capability New Zealanders now expect from us.
You may have seen the list already. Our Boeing 757s (returning in the next few months) have been modernised and militarised to suit their multi-role purpose. Our C-130s (back in NZ from August onwards) have had their avionics, wings and self protection systems replaced. Our Orions (returning from next year) have a completely new mission suite with leading edge capabilities. Our new NH90 and A109 helicopters (delivered from 2010) are already world leaders in their roles.
It reads like a shopping list, but this modernisation has never been just about the aircraft. Everything, including the way we think, needs to be updated if we are to exploit this technology; this includes mission support, IT, simulation and support buildings, and tactical doctrine. Our basic training is also in for major modernisation: future technicians will train on a mix of 10 modern turboprop aircraft and helicopters, nine additional turbine aircraft engines, a glass cockpit trainer, and computer based training packages. From the end of next year we’ll have to visit a museum to see a Devon!
And the Air Force Capability team still has much to do: a new advanced pilot training capability, and options for weapons and self protection for the Orions. Looking out further, we will start to scope what our future air mobility and air surveillance capabilities might look like: bigger, smaller, manned, unmanned, or the same as today?
But those are the big ticket items. They’re the ones that grab the limelight – most of the myriad projects and modifications we do as an Air Force are not attention getters, but they do hold the key to maintaining and continually improving our air power. This ongoing work is tied into roadmaps that we continually develop to guide where we’re going with our capabilities.
Crucially, this is not just about the head shed driving development from the top down. The good ideas that come from the hangars and the ops rooms have always been as essential as the ones that come from further up the chain, and they add much of the detail to the roadmaps.
So as our new and upgraded aircraft start to arrive this year, remember that getting to grips with the new equipment is only the first step towards Strategic Goal 1 – Operational Capability. We need you to help us take it to the next level.