Italian Eurofighter and T-346A jets conduct joint training with F-35 fighters from three nations
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Italian Eurofighters and F-35A train together. |
On July 2, the 32nd Wing at Amendola Air Base hosted US and UK F-35 fighters to conduct joint training activities with the fourth and fifth generation aircraft of the Italian Air Force.
The training was divided into two phases: during the morning two Italian F-35As carried out a mission together with a pair of RAF F-35B assigned to the 617th Fighter Squadron, coming from Akrotiri AB, Cyprus; while in the afternoon, four Italian F35As took part in a complex exercise. They operated with four USAF F35As assigned to the 421th Fighter Squadron from Spangdalhem AB along with other Italian Air Force aircraft including Eurofighter, AMX, T-346A and KC-767A.
The integration between the fourth and fifth generation aircraft is today a priority for the NATO armed forces. This need was largely underlined by the Spanish Air Force Colonel Andrés Maldonado, Commandant of the Tactical Leadership Programme (TLP), during the last training course conducted in Albacete, Spain, which also included USAF F-35s.
"In order to remain aligned in an ever-changing environment it is important we look at emerging capabilities such as modern fighter aircraft. After all, six of the ten TLP member nations have or will have a fifth generation fighter capability available."
"In order to remain aligned in an ever-changing environment it is important we look at emerging capabilities such as modern fighter aircraft. After all, six of the ten TLP member nations have or will have a fifth generation fighter capability available."
Over the next 20 years, NATO countries' air fleets will include aircraft from the two different generations and it is important for each nation to set up techniques and methods that allow perfect integration between the different home and foreign systems. The joint activity conducted at Amendola AFB highlighted the ability to integrate fifth-generation aircraft from different countries, but also allowed the integration of Lightening IIs with fourth-generation aircraft.
Written by Matteo Sanzani
Source: Italian Air Force, NATO AirCom
Images: Italian Air Force
Images: Italian Air Force
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