New Zealand Combat and Support Aircraft

[Bernard Woolley]

Introduction

As the New Zealand Defence Force was small, all aircraft were owned by the Royal New Zealand Air Force. However, the maritime squadron, No.6, is majority manned by Royal New Zealand Navy personnel. New Zealand's involvement in the 'Second Confrontation' with Indonesia, although not quite on the scale as its neighbour across 'The Ditch', has had an impact on defence procurement. For example, the massacre that came to be known as 'Second Tol' led to the fall of a government and its successor administration significantly increasing defence spending.

[Bernard Woolley]

The Royal New Zealand Air Force

Combat Aircraft

McDonnell Douglas A-4K/TA-4K Skyhawk
Ordered in the late 1960s to replace ageing English Electric Canberras and de Havilland Vampires. Eight additional A-4G and TA-4G would be acquired from the Royal Australian Navy in 1984 and brought to K standard. In the mid-80s the fleet was upgraded as part of Project Kahu. Included in the upgrade was the APG-66 radar from the F-16, but optimised for maritime tracking. A new HUD and the ability to employ more modern weapons, such as the AGM-65 Maverick was also included. One squadron of Skyhawks, No.2 Squadron, was forward deployed to NAS Nowra in Australia, as part of an agreement to provide training to the ADF. In 2005 the RNZAF was part of the way through replacing its Skyhawk fleet, but would still acquire some surplus A-4SU Super Skyhawk from Singapore as attrition replacements.

McDonnell Douglas F/A-18A+/B+ Hornet
While Project Kahu had updated the Skyhawk, it was not a long-term solution as the A-4 was still basically a late 1950s aircraft. Moreover, it had a limited range and weapons carriage. The RNZAF did consider upgraded ex-USAF F-16A, but in the strategic environment, it was not affordable. The obvious solution was to co-ordinate with the RAAF and procure ex-USN F/A-18A/B Hornets. The aircraft would go through the same centre barrel replacement and refurbishment programme as RAAF Hornets. A RNZAF flight of four Hornets would be embedded with No. 3 Squadron at RAAF Williamtown. Kiwi pilots and maintainers would also be trained by the RAAF's No. 2 Operational Conversion Unit. By 2005, the RNZAF's No.75 Squadron had nine A model Hornets and two B models on strength. Two more B models were assigned to No. 2 Squadron at NAS Nowra. The RNZAF had a requirement for twenty-four Hornets, with the intention being to fully replace the Skyhawk.

Cessna A-37B Dragonfly
The Dragonfly was the RNZAF's front-line light-strike and COIN support aircraft. While the RNZAF had deployed the MB.339 and then the Strikemaster as interim aircraft, it has already identified the Dragonfly as the ideal aircraft for the role. It was rugged, cheap to operate, had a good weapons payload and range. The Dragonfly was also plentiful and a number of air forces were beginning to retire aircraft that still had plenty of life in them. Four Chilean A-37B were acquired in late 2000 and were soon deployed to RAAF Baucau, replacing Strikemasters. Eight more aircraft, some converted from the T-37 Tweet, were acquired soon after, with an additional four procured for an Operational Conversion Unit flight. In 2005, other than the four used by the OCU flight, all RNZAF Dragonflies were forward deployed to East Timor.

Lockheed Martin P-3K2 Orion
The RNZAF's primary combat aircraft, the P-3K2 had originally been delivered in 1966 as B models, with another purchased from the RAAF in 1985. The Kiwi Orion fleet did lag behind in terms of upgrades due to limited funding, though that did not stop them from winning the coveted Fincastle Trophy. On one occasion, a crew got around obsolescent avionics by connecting a commercial laptop directly to the sensors and writing custom programmes. Obviously, such a situation could not continue and the fleet was the subject of a major upgrade between 2002 and 2004. A new mission system was installed, with the aircraft gaining a 'glass' cockpit, new navigation computer automation and brand new avionics and sensors for the Tactical Rail.


Transport Aircraft

Lockheed Martin C-130J-30 Super Hercules
Six C-130J were in RNZAF service in 2005, replacing a similar number of C-130H(NZ). The latter aircraft were returned to Lockheed Martin in part payment for the new aircraft. In 2005 the air force was considering acquiring two additional aircraft.

Boeing 757-2K2C
Two former Transavia 757 were purchased in 2003 to replace two 727s, which were becoming increasingly unreliable. The 757s were used in the transport, freight, cargo, medical evacuation and troop movement roles. They could also be configured for the VIP and VVIP role.

Hawker Siddeley Andover C.1
Ten Andovers were acquired from the RAF from 1976, to replace ageing Bristol Freighters. The aircraft were somewhat handicapped by their relatively short range. Though, that was still superior to their predecessors. By 2005, only four Andovers remained in service, the others having either been sold, or used as a source of spare parts. The remaining aircraft had been given a similar upgrade to the RAF's Andovers and the RNZAF was planning to re-engine its aircraft with the Pratt & Whitney Canada PW127.

Douglas C-47 Dakota
Following the example of the RAAF, the RNZAF acquired four C-47 for use in supporting NZDF forces in New Zealand. The quartet of Dakotas are powered by their original R-1830 piston engines. However, the RNZAF had decided not to upgrade the aircraft to TurboDak standard in the immediate future.

GippsAero GA-8 Wirraway II
Five Wirraway II were used by the RNZAF in the tactical light-transport, communications, medical evacuation and SAR roles. Aircrew also trained in the Forward Air Control (Airborne) and role and the very light-strike role with podded machine guns, light bombs and rockets. Kiwi Wirraway II were generally found in East Timor attached to similarly equipped RAAF squadrons.


Combat Helicopters

Bell UH-1H Iroquois
Four Iroquois helicopters remained in RNZAF service. While they were used in army support, by 2005 they were generally used for training. RNZAF aircrew were attached to Australian Army units for operations in East Timor. Many of the other UH-1H were sold to the Australian Army as attrition replacements.

Kaman SH-2G(NZ) Super Seasprite
The primary maritime support in RNZAF service, the SH-2G(NZ) were owned by the air force, but generally flown by RNZN aircrew. The Kiwi helicopters used different avionics to the similar RAN SH-2G and, thus, did not have similar issues. The NZDF was more than satisfied with its Seasprites and had apparently let the ADF know that if it ever disposed of its SH-2G(A), it would be interested in acquiring them.

Westland Wasp HAS.1
The NZDF's maritime helicopter until the the SH-2G(NZ) entered service. The Wasp fleet had been withdrawn into storage, prior to disposal. Which proved to the fortuitous, as in 2005 there were not enough operational SH-2G(NZ) available to assign them permanently to the two Leander class training frigates. Instead, two Wasps were returned to service and attached to those ships.

NH Industries NH-90
Twelve NH-90 were used in the battlefield support, Search and Rescue, VIP duties and heavy lift role, replacing the UH-1H. A flight of NH-90s was deployed to East Timor, where they operated successfully. The RNZAF helicopters were modified so that they could operate from HMNZS Gallipoli (L421) in the maritime transport role.


Training Aircraft

BAC Strikemaster Mk 88
Procured in the 1970s to replace Vampire T.11, the Strikemaster was in service with the RNZAF until 1993, when it was replaced by the MB.339. All surviving aircraft were sold to Aeromacchi in 1993 as part of the deal for new trainers. However, a number were stored at Bankstown. When in 2000 the new New Zealand government ordered the RNZAF to send jet aircraft to East Timor to support the army, and do it now, the air force hurriedly looked for something that could replace the MB.339CB that were sent as an interim measure. Five Strikemasters were acquired from locally based private owners, or from storage at Bankstown. Four additional ex-Saudi aircraft were acquired from storage in Humberside in the UK. Not all of the aircraft would enter service, some being used as a source of spares, but four Strikemasters were deployed to Baucau. They were relatively successful in the COIN role, but were lacking in numbers, range and weapons payload. After withdrawal from East Timor, flights of four aircraft were deployed to RAAF Scherger and Curtin to provide FAC, recce and COIN support to local garrisons. A flight of five was also based at home in New Zealand to train Forward Air Controllers of the New Zealand Army.

Aermacchi MB.339CB
An advanced trainer procured in the early 1990s to replace BAC Strikemasters. While the aircraft were primarily used in the advanced training role, they were capable of being used as light-strike aircraft. In practise, that capability was generally used to teach new pilots to employ weapons. Although, five aircraft were hurriedly deployed to Baucau for COIN duty in 2000. However, that deployment was relatively short-lived, as the RNZAF really needed them for training and did not want to see a tap opened through which its entire fleet of MC.339 would run. Seventeen aircraft survived in service in 2005 and were considered in need of replacement.

BAES Hawk 128
Four Hawk 128 were in service by 2005, with more on order. With the MB.339CB having been hard used and harder to support, the RNZAF had decided to procure the Hawk as replacement. The fact that it was also operated by the RAAF made it more attractive than any other options. Interestingly, the variant chosen was more advanced than the RAAF aircraft, though the Australians were planning to upgrade their aircraft to 128 standard. As well as the advanced training role, it was planned that the Hawk would partially replace the A-4K in No.2 Squadron. The NZDF having decided that Hornets were too expensive to use in the training support role.

Beechcraft B.200 King Air
The first aircraft to be leased by the RNZAF, the King Airs were used for multi-engine conversion training of pilots qualified to fly single engine aircraft, continuation training for multi-engine qualified pilots and a limited VIP transport role around New Zealand.

AgustaWestland A109LUH
Six A109 were procured in 2002-2003 to replace the ancient Bell 47G-3B-2 Sioux in the training role. However, the helicopters also had an operational role as a counter terrorist platform, VIP duties and carrying out support for NZ Customs. In 2005 a further two A109 were on order.

Pacific Aerospace CT/4E Airtrainer
A New Zealand basic trainer. The E variant was an upgrade of the CT/4B initially used by the RNZAF. Was used to provide initial training for RNZAF aircrew.


Future Aircraft.

Boeing P-8A Poseidon
While the upgraded P-3K2 was not in any immediate need of replacement, the RNZAF had in 2005 already identified the P-8A as its long-term replacement. The need to retain commonality with the RAAF and US Navy was a strong driver in the decision.

Beechcraft T-6C Texan II
In the medium-term, the RNZAF needed a new basic trainer. The T-6C, still a relatively new aircraft in 2005, had been identified as the preferred option. However, no order had been made.

Beechcraft King Air 350
Planned to be the replacement for the existing B.200 when the current lease expired.

757 replacement
Like the P-3K fleet, the two 757 were not in immediate need of replacement. However, studies for a long-term replacement had already begun in 2005. The RNZAF would prefer an aircraft that needed as little modification as possible.

Future Maritime Helicopter
While the SH-2G(NZ) have proven successful in New Zealand service, the RNZAF would like to eventually replace them with a larger and more capable helicopter. That requirement was closely tied to whatever, if anything, the RNZN chose to procure as an ANZAC class frigate replacement.

[Bernard Woolley]

SPACE RESERVED