A one-time Czech Air Force Mikoyan MiG-
21UM has joined the National Test Pilot
School (NTPS) at Mojave Air and Space
Port, California. The two-seat aircraft,
registered N1165, originally served as 0165
with the Czechs and had been imported
into America in 1992. It was own to the
NTPS base at Mojave from Wilmington,
Delaware, on January 17.
Although a civilian operation, NTPS
trains military test pilots and has had a
diverse range of types in its eet over the
years. The MiG-21UM joins several former
military machines in the school’s current
inventory, including the Atlas Impala,
T-38, OH-58C and UH-1N. The MiG will
undergo inspections and FAA approval,
then will enter the school’s curriculum.
Dave AllportThe second of two E-550As has been
delivered to the Aeronautica Militare (Italian
Air Force). The jet, based on the Gulfstream
G550, arrived on January 22. Serial
number MM62303/14-12 was modi ed to
Conformal Airborne Early Warning (CAEW)
con guration by Israel Aerospace Industries
(IAI) and its Elta Systems subsidiary in close
co-operation with Leonardo.
The E-550As were ordered as part ofa military and industrial offset agreement
signed between Italy and Israel in 2012 and
worth around $1bn. The E-550A contract
followed Israel’s decision to purchase 30
M-346 advanced jet trainers.
The aircraft are assigned to 14° Stormo,
part of 71° Gruppo based at Pratica di Mare
air base, southwest of Rome. The rst
example (MM62293/14-11) was delivered on
December 19, 2016.Bronco II Launched in the US
Bronco Combat Systems launched a
new light-attack and tactical intelligence,
surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR)
aircraft, the Bronco II, in the US on
February 23.
A purpose-built airborne ‘Find/Fix/
Finish/Exploit/Analyze’ (F3EA) aircraft, it’s
reportedly able to operate for extended
periods in remote theatres with minimal
infrastructure and a small logistics and
maintenance footprint.Based on the AHRLAC (Advanced
High-Performance Reconnaissance Light
Aircraft), the turboprop Bronco II is a two-
crew ISR and precision strike type said to
be capable of carrying a range of weapons,
sensors and systems in extended airborne
mission operations.
Established as a US-based entity,
Bronco Combat Systems’ founding partners
are Paramount Group USA, Fulcrum
Concepts LLC and ADC, which designedthe AHRLAC platform.
Paramount Group International
Chairman Ivor Ichikowitz said the aircraft
is “unique in that it has been designed
speci cally as a light attack and ISR
platform from the onset.
“Every inch of this aircraft is designed
for purpose – speci cally for the kind of
asymmetrical warfare that sophisticated
military forces are now being asked to
conduct.”The second E-550A, MM62303/14-12, in Israel prior to its delivery to Italy. Noam MenasheSecond E-550A for
the Italian Air Force
MILITARY NEWS
8The National Test Pilot School’s new MiG-
21UM N1165 arriving at Mojave. NTPSFormer Czech MiG to Test Pilot School
Aviation News incorporating Jets April 2018RAF Scraps
Reserve Status
for Flying Units
A major reorganisation of the RAF’s
reserve squadron designations has seen
high-pro le units such as 72(R) Squadron
return to full unit status.
A statement given to Aviation News
from the MoD said: “On 1 February, 2018
the Air Force Board Executive (AFBEx)
Committee authorised the (R) designator
be removed from RAF ying squadron
number plates. Of the current 45
numbered RAF ying squadrons, 16 are
affected by this change.”
A spokesperson added: “The change
is primarily one of housekeeping that
allows a more consistent approach and
naming convention.
“Removal of the (R) designator
protects the operational records and
seniority of squadrons, whilst reducing
inconsistency and easing complexity for
historians.”06-08_military_newsDC.mfDCDC.indd 8 02/03/2018 15: