Sarzonia
27-12-2005, 05:01
Woodstock Daily Mail
ISAF looks to reshape logistics
AVALON (ASP) -- Expressing a desire to improve interoperability with allied air forces and following a directive from the Department of Defence, the Incorporated Sarzonian Air Force has begun a programme to reclassify all aircraft designed for the ISAF, a move that would do away with the SZ designation for all aircraft regardless of type.
The programme includes designating air superiority fighters, strike aircraft or interceptors with the letter F, such as the SZ-2 Albatross being re-designated the F-2 Albatross. Bombers, such as the recently developed SZ-22 Olympic, would be reclassified the B-22 Olympic. Helicopters, regardless of role, will be given the letter H.
"This programme should make it easier for our allies to have a better understanding of our force projection capabilities," Air Force Chief Greg Rodgers said. "With the elimination of an all-in-one designation system, we have created a system that improves logistics for us and our allies."
Among the designations that were considered but dropped from consideration were L for Logistics and Miscellaneous aircraft. The designation system also includes E for Electronics Warfare craft, A for Attack aircraft (specifically, the close in support aircraft formerly known as the SZ-8 Leapfrog), and C for Cargo. Following the tradition established by the AC-130U Spooky, the new Styx gunship carries a AC designation, the AC-35 Styx.
"We received a request from DoD to simplify things," Rodgers said. "[Former Air Force Chief Bill] Lighton was also instrumental in requesting the change. The DoD wanted to keep the S designation for munitions and Z for armoured combat vehicles."
There were unpublished reports that suggested that the ISAF would adopt a hybrid of their classification programme by adding a third letter to the SZ designation to correspond with the aircraft type. Rodgers said that option was "still on the table and if there's enough of an outcry, we'll consider it."
While most of the aircraft in the designation system are Sarzonian-built and designed, the Praetonian-built L-82 Hussar, which is designated the F-33, and the DAS 15 Tiger built by Isselmere-Nieland's Detmerian Aerospace Dynamics, which has been designated the F-36. Rodgers said the decision to give the designations to foreign-built aircraft was "an acknowledgement" of their importance in Sarzonia's efforts at reforming the air force.
"The Hussar was the aircraft that really forced us into the modern age," Rodgers said. "The Tiger was based largely on some of our other designs and it was named for our national animal. Those factors led us to incorporate those craft into our classification scheme. It's intended to honour those excellent aircraft."
The F-28, F-29, F-30, F-31, and F-32 are all Space Union-designed aircaft and will be in place for the duration of the merger agreement between Space Union National Aircraft Corporation Storefront, a move which Admiral Barbara Tucker (ISN-Ret.), the CEO of the Portland Iron Works, said will be temporary until "they can get their house in order.
"The merger agreement was intended to be temporary and our ability to incorporate these aircraft into our catalogue will be temporary as well," she said. "The Hussar and the Tiger will remain in Sarzonian air force service for the forseeable future."
Aircraft currently in ISAF service
F-1 Vulture strike fighter
F-2 Albatross air superiority fighter
F/B-3 Skyshark fighter-bomber
B-4 Warbird bomber
E-5 Snarl electronics warfare aircraft
H-6 Pegasus search and rescue helicopter
C-7 Air Scout
A-8 Leapfrog Close-in Support Fighter
F-9 Condor jump strike fighter
F-10 Sea Hound interceptor
F-11 Twin Tail air superiority fighter
F/B-12 Skysnake fighter-bomber
F/B-13 Ragnarok fighter-bomber
H-14 Scorpion multi-role attack helicopter
H-15 Dragon ASW helicopter
H-16 Catamount special operations helicopter
C-17 Galaxy cargo/troop transport
H-18 Hurricane helicopter gunship
F-19 Predator interceptor
F-20 Valkyrie strike fighter
F-21 Coronet air superiority fighter
B-22 Olympic medium bomber
F-23 Aurora scout fighter
E-24 Tyr electronics warfare craft
B-25 Archduke light bomber
F-26A Ebonhawk air superiority fighter
F-26B Strikehawk strike fighter
C-27 Saronno in flight refueller
F-28 Archangel
F-29 Liberator
F-30 Howler
F-31 Lion
F-32 Wolf
F-33 Hussar multi-role fighter
F-34 Leopard VTOL strike fighter
C-35 Styx gunship
F-36 Tiger interceptor
Note: Red refers to aircraft no longer in ISAF service; Blue refers to aircraft designed by SUNACS. Green refers to aircraft designed by foreign contractors in ISAF service. Purple refers to aircraft designed and developed with foreign contractors.
ISAF looks to reshape logistics
AVALON (ASP) -- Expressing a desire to improve interoperability with allied air forces and following a directive from the Department of Defence, the Incorporated Sarzonian Air Force has begun a programme to reclassify all aircraft designed for the ISAF, a move that would do away with the SZ designation for all aircraft regardless of type.
The programme includes designating air superiority fighters, strike aircraft or interceptors with the letter F, such as the SZ-2 Albatross being re-designated the F-2 Albatross. Bombers, such as the recently developed SZ-22 Olympic, would be reclassified the B-22 Olympic. Helicopters, regardless of role, will be given the letter H.
"This programme should make it easier for our allies to have a better understanding of our force projection capabilities," Air Force Chief Greg Rodgers said. "With the elimination of an all-in-one designation system, we have created a system that improves logistics for us and our allies."
Among the designations that were considered but dropped from consideration were L for Logistics and Miscellaneous aircraft. The designation system also includes E for Electronics Warfare craft, A for Attack aircraft (specifically, the close in support aircraft formerly known as the SZ-8 Leapfrog), and C for Cargo. Following the tradition established by the AC-130U Spooky, the new Styx gunship carries a AC designation, the AC-35 Styx.
"We received a request from DoD to simplify things," Rodgers said. "[Former Air Force Chief Bill] Lighton was also instrumental in requesting the change. The DoD wanted to keep the S designation for munitions and Z for armoured combat vehicles."
There were unpublished reports that suggested that the ISAF would adopt a hybrid of their classification programme by adding a third letter to the SZ designation to correspond with the aircraft type. Rodgers said that option was "still on the table and if there's enough of an outcry, we'll consider it."
While most of the aircraft in the designation system are Sarzonian-built and designed, the Praetonian-built L-82 Hussar, which is designated the F-33, and the DAS 15 Tiger built by Isselmere-Nieland's Detmerian Aerospace Dynamics, which has been designated the F-36. Rodgers said the decision to give the designations to foreign-built aircraft was "an acknowledgement" of their importance in Sarzonia's efforts at reforming the air force.
"The Hussar was the aircraft that really forced us into the modern age," Rodgers said. "The Tiger was based largely on some of our other designs and it was named for our national animal. Those factors led us to incorporate those craft into our classification scheme. It's intended to honour those excellent aircraft."
The F-28, F-29, F-30, F-31, and F-32 are all Space Union-designed aircaft and will be in place for the duration of the merger agreement between Space Union National Aircraft Corporation Storefront, a move which Admiral Barbara Tucker (ISN-Ret.), the CEO of the Portland Iron Works, said will be temporary until "they can get their house in order.
"The merger agreement was intended to be temporary and our ability to incorporate these aircraft into our catalogue will be temporary as well," she said. "The Hussar and the Tiger will remain in Sarzonian air force service for the forseeable future."
Aircraft currently in ISAF service
F-1 Vulture strike fighter
F-2 Albatross air superiority fighter
F/B-3 Skyshark fighter-bomber
B-4 Warbird bomber
E-5 Snarl electronics warfare aircraft
H-6 Pegasus search and rescue helicopter
C-7 Air Scout
A-8 Leapfrog Close-in Support Fighter
F-9 Condor jump strike fighter
F-10 Sea Hound interceptor
F-11 Twin Tail air superiority fighter
F/B-12 Skysnake fighter-bomber
F/B-13 Ragnarok fighter-bomber
H-14 Scorpion multi-role attack helicopter
H-15 Dragon ASW helicopter
H-16 Catamount special operations helicopter
C-17 Galaxy cargo/troop transport
H-18 Hurricane helicopter gunship
F-19 Predator interceptor
F-20 Valkyrie strike fighter
F-21 Coronet air superiority fighter
B-22 Olympic medium bomber
F-23 Aurora scout fighter
E-24 Tyr electronics warfare craft
B-25 Archduke light bomber
F-26A Ebonhawk air superiority fighter
F-26B Strikehawk strike fighter
C-27 Saronno in flight refueller
F-28 Archangel
F-29 Liberator
F-30 Howler
F-31 Lion
F-32 Wolf
F-33 Hussar multi-role fighter
F-34 Leopard VTOL strike fighter
C-35 Styx gunship
F-36 Tiger interceptor
Note: Red refers to aircraft no longer in ISAF service; Blue refers to aircraft designed by SUNACS. Green refers to aircraft designed by foreign contractors in ISAF service. Purple refers to aircraft designed and developed with foreign contractors.