Patrouille Suisse, German A400M and Eurofighter solo displays among the aircraft confirmed for RIAT 2024
The organizers of the Royal International Air Tattoo (RIAT) have announced a range of aircraft from Germany and Switzerland that will be featured in both the flying and static displays during the event. Some of these aircraft will be making their debut appearances in the flying display. The 2024 edition of RIAT is scheduled to take place from July 19th to 21st.
The German Air Force will showcase some of its best aircraft, including the Airbus A400M Atlas from Air Transport Wing 62 at Wunstorf Air Base and the Eurofighter Typhoon from the 74th Tactical Air Force Wing at Neuburg Air Base in Bavaria. These aircraft will perform their debut displays in the UK, making it a rare opportunity for visitors to witness their exceptional capabilities.
German A400M at NATO days in 2020
Furthermore, the German Air Force will provide a number of aircraft for the static display, including the rare Airbus A319OH. This aircraft is equipped with cameras and infrared sensors that the Luftwaffe utilizes to conduct Open Skies Treaty missions. Two Tornados will also be displayed. One of them is the Tornado ECR from Tactical Air Force Wing 51 "Immelmann" at Schleswig Air Base, which is a member of the NATO Tiger Association and the host of the 2024 Tiger Meet. It is hoped that the aircraft attending will have a special tiger paint scheme to add to the excitement. The second Tornado is the Tornado IDS from the Defense Technical Department 61, which is responsible for testing and development within the Luftwaffe. It will be attending the RIAT event as part of the "Pushing the Boundaries in Air and Space" theme. The final aircraft from the German Air Force will be the Sikorsky CH-53G Sea Stallion from Helicopter Wing 64 at Laupheim Air Base.
Apart from the German Air Force, the Swiss Air Force will also participate in the event by providing their Patrouille Suisse team. This team hasn't displayed in Fairford since 2017, making it a rare opportunity for visitors to witness their breathtaking manoeuvring skills.
To add to the excitement, the organizers of the event have also announced a special flypast on arrival on Friday by NATO's Boeing E-3A Sentry from the NATO Airborne Early Warning and Control Force based at NATO Airbase Geilenkirchen. After the flypast, the aircraft will land and be on the static display over the weekend.
If you're interested in attending the event, you can visit airtatto.com to learn more about it and purchase your tickets.
German Typhoon
Eurofighter Typhoon
The Eurofighter Typhoon is a high-performance combat aircraft developed through a multinational partnership between the UK, Germany, Italy, and Spain. Its first flight took place in March 1994, and deliveries to partner nations began in August 2003. The Typhoon is designed to perform multiple roles, such as air-to-air combat, air-to-ground attack, and reconnaissance missions.
In 2010 and 2011, the Typhoon saw its first combat deployment over Libya. Since then, it has undergone constant upgrades, with the most recent being a new advanced radar and the potential installation of a new touchscreen cockpit. This upgrade will enhance the Typhoon's capabilities to detect and engage targets more accurately and effectively.
The Typhoon is capable of carrying a variety of air-to-ground and air-to-air weaponry, including the Meteor long-range air-to-air missile, which is considered one of the best air-to-air missiles in the world. The Typhoon's weapons systems are continuously being upgraded to maintain its superiority in the battlefield.
Apart from the partner nations, the Typhoon is also operated by Austria, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, and Saudi Arabia. The German Air Force has a fleet of 141 Typhoons, which are operated from five locations around the country, including their test unit. As part of Project Quadriga, Germany has ordered 38 advanced Tranche 4 variants of the Typhoon, which are expected to be delivered in the near future. Additionally, fifteen of these aircraft will be converted into a specialized Electronic Warfare variant, replacing the Tornado ECR in the Luftwaffe service.
In an Air Tattoo first, the Luftwaffe will be providing a full Typhoon solo display as part of the NATO 75th celebrations. The aircraft will be provided to TLG 74, a member of the NATO Tiger Association and nicknamed the "Bavarian Tigers," from Neuburg Air Base. This will be the first time in many years that there has been a German solo fast jet display in the UK, making this event a significant milestone.
Airbus A400M Atlas
The Airbus A400M Atlas is a highly advanced four-engine transport aircraft that possesses both tactical and strategic capabilities. It is larger than the C-130 Hercules but smaller than the C-17. The Atlas was originally designed to replace the C-160 and Hercules in European service. Apart from the transport role, the Atlas can be used as an aerial refuelling aircraft or for medical evacuation. The aircraft is equipped with advanced technologies that make it a reliable and efficient aircraft for a wide range of operations.
The Atlas has achieved limited export success since its introduction. In addition to the original seven nations (Germany, France, Spain, UK, Turkey, Belgium, and Luxembourg) that ordered the Atlas, the aircraft has since been ordered by Malaysia, Kazakhstan, and Indonesia. The aircraft has proven to be a versatile and reliable platform for military transport, aerial refuelling, and medical evacuation operations.
Germany initially ordered a total of 60 Atlas aircraft but eventually reduced their order to 53 airframes. However, only 40 of these are in operation at any given time. While the Atlas was intended to replace the C-160 fleet, the German Air Force has identified a requirement to maintain a smaller tactical airlifter capability. Therefore, they have ordered six C-130J Hercules, including three KC-130J tankers, as part of a joint fleet with France. Germany is currently exploring various options to utilize their 13 spare Atlas aircraft, which may include the creation of a multi-nation transport alliance of other European nations that currently do not possess a strategic airlift capability.
Following the highly successful aerial refuelling demonstration performed by the Atlas at RIAT 2023, Lufttransportgeschwader 62 from Wunstorf in north-western Germany will once again be sending an Atlas to RIAT 2024 as part of the celebration of the 75th Anniversary of NATO. This year, the unit will be performing a full solo display, representing a RIAT debut.
Panavia Tornado
The Panavia Tornado, nicknamed the Mighty Fin, was originally developed as part of the Multi-Role Combat Aircraft (MRCA) program, which was a joint effort between the United Kingdom, Italy, and Germany. The primary goal behind the development of this aircraft was to create a specialist low-level strike plane. Eventually, a total of 990 Tornados were produced for the three partner nations as well as Saudi Arabia.
The Tornado was produced in three variants, namely the IDS, ECR, and ADV. The IDS was the primary strike variant, while the ECR was an advanced anti-radar variant. The ADV, on the other hand, was an interceptor variant that was equipped with more powerful engines, a lengthened fuselage to accommodate more fuel, and the Foxhunter air-to-air radar.
The Tornado became famous for its ultra-low-level exploits during the first Gulf War when it was used to attack Iraqi airfields. The Royal Air Force (RAF) retired its last Tornados in 2019.
The German Air Force received 247 Tornados, including a number of 35 ECR variants, with the remaining ones being IDS variants. Between 1994 and 2005, the German Navy retired or transferred its own fleet of 112 Tornado IDS aircraft to the Air Force, which further supplemented the German Air Force's fleet. The current German Air Force fleet has been reduced to 90 aircraft due to budget cuts. However, it has been consistently upgraded and remains a potent combat aircraft, having served in Kosovo and Afghanistan.
In 2021, the German government announced that the Tornado's role as a NATO nuclear bomber in their military would be replaced by an order for 35 F-35A Lightning IIs. It is expected that the remainder of the Tornado fleet will be replaced by subsequent Typhoon orders as a stop-gap until a 6th generation fighter is co-developed with France.
A pair of German Air Force Tornados will be attending RIAT 2024 for static display. The ECR variant will be provided by TLG 51, a member of the NATO Tiger Association and the host of the 2024 Tiger Meet, which will be attending as part of the 75th anniversary of NATO celebrations. The IDS variant will be provided by WTD 61, which is responsible for test and development within the Luftwaffe. They will be attending as part of the Pushing the Boundaries in Air and Space theme.
Sikorsky CH-53G Sea Stallion
The CH-53 Sea Stallion is a heavy-lift transport helicopter that was originally developed for the US Marine Corps during the Vietnam War. Its primary function was to provide heavy transport support to airborne assaults, with the ability to carry Howitzer artillery cannons or Hawk surface-to-air missile systems into battle. The Sea Stallion also found use in recovering smaller, damaged helicopters from their landing sites and returning them to base, even having the ability to airlift the CH-47 Chinook.
The CH-53K Super Sea Stallion is the latest variant of the Sea Stallion and has recently been introduced to replace the Sea Stallion in the USMC. With its improved capabilities and heavier cargo capacity, the CH-53K is a valuable addition to the Corps.
Germany operates the CH-53G variant of the Sea Stallion, which is a licensed-built version of the CH-53D. Germany has constantly upgraded its helicopters to keep them viable in the modern battlefield. The Sea Stallion fleet was originally operated by the German Army, but it was transferred to the German Air Force in 2013. Germany was expected to order the CH-53K to replace the CH-53G in 2022. However, the Federal Government announced the purchase of 60 CH-47F Chinooks.
The German Air Force is proud to showcase one of its Sea Stallions at this year's Air Tattoo, which is being provided by Hubschraubergeschwader 64 from Laupheim Air Base. As the only operator of the Sea Stallion in Europe, Germany's commitment to upgrading its fleet ensures that it remains a valuable asset in the modern battlefield.
Boeing E-3A Sentry
The E-6B Sentry, also known as AWACS (Airborne Warning and Control System), is a military aircraft that was developed in the early 1970s as a replacement for the EC-121 Warning Star. It is based on the Boeing 707-320B airliner and is equipped with a large rotating radome that houses the radar system, allowing it to simultaneously monitor all altitudes from sea level to the stratosphere.
A total of 68 Sentry's were built between 1977 and 1992, and they were delivered to various countries including the United States Air Force (USAF), French Air Force, NATO, Saudi Arabia, and the Royal Air Force (RAF). The RAF's aircraft were the last to be produced, but they were the first to be retired in 2021, with three of them acquired by Chile.
NATO operates a fleet of 14 upgraded E-3A models, which are based at Geilenkirchen in Germany. These aircraft have been constantly upgraded throughout their service life and are regularly deployed to forward operating bases in Turkey, Greece, Italy, and Norway. The NATO Sentry's crew of 20 is sourced from 15 member nations, including the US and UK.
In addition to the E-3A Sentry, NATO has selected the Boeing 737-based E-7 Wedgetail to replace its fleet from 2031 onwards. The Wedgetail is an advanced airborne early warning and control (AEW&C) aircraft that is based on the Boeing 737 Next Generation platform. It provides enhanced situational awareness and command and control capabilities, making it a valuable asset for NATO's operations.
One of NATO's E-3A Sentry's will be featured in this year's Air Tattoo, performing a flypast on arrival on Friday before landing and being on static display over the weekend. This will be a great opportunity for aviation enthusiasts to see this impressive aircraft up close and learn more about its capabilities.
Patrouille Suisse
The Northrop F-5 Freedom Fighter was an aircraft project that began as a privately funded venture. Its main purpose was to create a light fighter that would be highly performant, low cost, and require minimal maintenance. The F-5 was initially chosen by the US Air Force in 1956 to succeed the T-33 as its advanced jet trainer. The F-5 was designated the T-38 Talon. However, it was not until 1962 that President Kennedy ordered the F-5A into production. The F-5A was created to serve as a low-cost fighter aircraft for export. The F-5A was used by many nations and was also license-built in Canada and Spain.
The F-5A saw limited service with the USAF, but the F-5E Tiger II, which was significantly improved, saw extensive service and is still used today by the US Navy/Marine Corps as an aggressor combat trainer. The F-5E has also been very successful in export and can still be found in operational use in various modernized forms around the world.
In 1976, the Swiss Air Force acquired 66 F-5E and 6 F-5F Tiger IIs from the USA. This was done to boost their air defense capabilities following the diversion of the Hawker Hunter to air-to-ground combat duties. Although the aircraft were made in the US, they were assembled in Switzerland. At their peak, the Swiss Air Force had a total of 110 Tiger IIs in the early 1980s. Although largely replaced by the F-18C Hornet, 25 aircraft are still in service alongside the Hornet for air defence operations.
Several F-5s are painted in the colours of the Patrouille Suisse air display team and flown by them. The Patrouille Suisse is a team of elite Swiss Air Force pilots who perform aerial displays at air shows around the world. The Swiss have now ordered the F-35A Lightning II, which will replace all remaining F-5s in service. As a result, the future of the Patrouille Suisse is uncertain, and funding is currently only guaranteed until 2025.
Patrouille Suisse will be performing in the flying display at The Royal International Air Tattoo 2024. This could possibly be their last-ever appearance in the UK. The Patrouille Suisse is known for their precision flying and aerial acrobatics, and their performances are always a highlight of air shows worldwide.
