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UKSF Aviation

United Kingdom Special Forces (UKSF) Aviation

United Kingdom Special Forces are supported by highly trained pilots flying ‘state of the art’ fixed and rotary winged aircraft that are drawn from all areas of the UK Armed Forces.

As with all personnel working in a direct supporting role of UKSF, there is a need for aircrew to be fit and to have attended ‘special to type’ courses, not only on ‘state of the art’ systems fitted to SF Aviation aircraft, but Escape and Evasion exercises and Conduct after Capture.

Units contributing air support to UKSF are:

Special Forces Flight, 47 Squadron RAF

47 Squadron operate Hercules C130 variants. Equipment fitted to C130’s of the Special Forces Flight would differ from that fitted to aircraft from the more ‘conventional’ Squadrons because of the ‘special to task’ roles the Flight would be expected to undertake.

The squadron can expect to carry out the following operations in support of UKSF:

1. Air dropping of parachutists from low and high levels.
2. Air dropping supplies to units operating in the field.
3. Delivery and recovery of ground units.
4. Casualty evacuation.
5. Tactical Air Landing Operations (TALO).
6. Air Landing Refuel Points (ALARPS) for rotary wing aircraft.
7. Radio and Electronic Signals Intelligence (SIGINT & ELINT).
8. Voice and Video data relay for UKSF personnel deployed on the ground.

Many of the above operations would involve landing on unprepared landing sites in enemy territory.

Joint Special Forces Aviation Wing (JSFAW)

Formed in 1971 the Joint Special Forces Aviation Wing brings Royal Air force (RAF) and Army Air Corps (AAC) into one unit whose task is to provide specialised air support to The United Kingdom Special Forces.

Because the insertion of Special Forces (SF) normally takes place at night, at low level and across enemy territory, the need for all JSFAW pilots to be highly trained in ‘nap of the earth’ flying over long distances, in order to avoid radar detection, is of paramount importance. Low level flying at night requires the pilot wearing Night Vision Goggles (NVG’S) to have a high level of concentration and ability.

Crews are assisted in their task of transporting Special Forces to and from operational areas with ‘state of the art’ navigational aids such as Moving Map Display Packages and Integrated INS/GPS Computers fitted to the helicopters, especially the larger twin rotor Chinook, used for covert insertions and extractions.

The requirement for a helicopter transiting enemy territory to be able to defend itself cannot be overstated. Helicopters used in support of SF operations are fitted with a variety of self defence systems such as Infra-Red Jammers, Missile Approach Warning Systems and Chaff and Flare Launchers. There are a variety of machine guns that can be fitted to helicopters used for SF operations.

The following RAF and AAC units form the JSFAW:

Special Forces Flight, 7 Squadron RAF

The Special Forces (SF) Flight of 7 Squadron RAF operates the twin rotor Chinook helicopter. The flight was formed shortly after the Falklands Conflict in 1982 where the need for dedicated helicopter support to Special Forces was identified.

When operating in hostile territory a variety of machine guns can be fitted to the Chinook for self defence and offensive operations. 7.62mm Miniguns, capable of firing 2,000 to 4,000 rounds a minute, are mounted on the port and starboard side ports. Capable of a sustained high rate of fire the Minigun is the ideal weapon to provide supporting fire to troops deployed on the ground as well as suppressing ground fire on ‘hot’ landing zones. In addition, a 7.62mm M60 Machine Gun can be fitted at the rear of the aircraft.

The twin rotor Chinook is a truly versatile heavy lift helicopter capable of carrying 50+ troops in the main cabin or vehicles such as the HTM 440 or Land Rovers. The hydraulic tailgate makes it possible for loading and unloading of the main cabin to be carried out at speed ensuring that a helicopter’s vulnerability, while on the ground, is as short as possible. It can carry up to 10 tonnes externally on the ‘triple hook’ underslung load system. The operating range of the Chinook can be increased by fitting a fuel bladder in the main cabin.

Typical tasking for the SF Flight include:

1. Delivery of Special Forces on Counter Terrorism Operations.
2. Insertion of Special Forces by sea and land (during sea extraction the tailgate of the Chinook can be flooded down to enable Raiding Craft to enter the helicopter cargo compartment at speed).
3. Resupply of Special Forces operating in the enemy rear area.

657 Squadron Army Air Corps

657 Squadron operate the Westland Lynx AH7 and have been employed in support of The UKSF for approximately 10 years.

The Lynx, an Attack/Utility helicopter, is currently in use by the Army Air Corps, Royal Navy and Royal Marines. 657 Squadron Lynx have a crew of three; pilot, co-pilot and door gunner and can carry nine fully equipped troops or an external underslung load of approximately 1350Kgs. The helicopter is fully airportable and two Lynx can be carried in the cargo hold of the C130 Hercules.

To fulfil its attack role a variety of weapons can be fitted to the Lynx. One, four tube rack of FITOW wire guided dual warhead anti-tank missiles can be fitted to either side of the helicopter. The TOW sight used for missile selection and guidance can also be used in a reconnaissance role. A 7.62mm Minigun can be mounted in one of the rear doors giving it a similar capability of fire suppression on ‘hot’ landing zones and providing supporting fire to ground troops as that provided by the Chinook .

8 Flight Army Air Corps

8 Flight Army Air Corps operates in direct support of 22 Special Air Service Regiment and as such is NOT an element of UKSF Aviation.

8 Flight’s aircraft inventory consists of two Gazelle and four Augusta 109 helicopters, two of which are ‘the spoils of war’ having been captured from the Argentine Armed Forces during the Falklands Conflict. The Augusta has a maximum speed of nearly 300 kph and a range of 950 km. It has a crew of two and can carry seven passengers.

To enable the Augustas to move members of The SAS covertly and without attracting undue attention, they are painted in civilian livery. The ‘civilianisation’ of the Augustas is useful in allowing members of The Regiment to be transported covertly and be used in support of Counter Terrorism Operations within the United Kingdom.

8 Flight helicopters are rarely fitted with offensive weapons but the ability to fit rocket pods and machine guns exists.

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Go To: Regiments and Corps of the British Army

The following units come under the control of UKSF. See the following sections for more details on each unit and what they specialise in:

The Special Air Service (SAS) Regiment

The Special Boat Service (SBS)

The Special Reconnaissance Regiment

The Special Forces Support Group

18 (UKSF) Signal Regiment (18 (UKSF) SIG REGT)

United Kingdom Special Forces (UKSF) Aviation

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