Draken Europe flies first red air training sortie against Royal Air Force
The UK’s Interim Red Air Aggressor Training Service (IRAATS) requirement is a three-year contract with a further three-year option. (Photo: Draken Europe)
Draken Europe has conducted the first red air aggressor training sortie with its L-159E honey badger against a Royal Air Force asset.
A Draken Europe L-159E Honey Badger jet flew for the first time to provide live threat replication against one of the UK RAF’s Eurofighter Typhoons on 20 December.
During the training, announced in a LinkedIn post published by Draken Europe, the L-159E jet flew a sortie over the North Sea.
Draken conducted the training under the UK’s Interim Red Air Aggressor Training Service (IRAATS) requirement that it won in April 2022.
The three-year contract, with a further three-year option, started in July and will see the company provide RAF fighter squadrons with aggressor aircraft replicating potential adversaries’ tactics, techniques and procedures.
‘Our teams in the UK and the US have been working incredibly hard to bring these highly capable aircraft to Teesside, and it is hugely rewarding for all of us at Draken to see the L-159s performing their role in a service that will now build rapidly over the coming months,’ said Paul Armstrong, CEO of Draken Europe.
The L-159Es are co-located with Draken’s existing Dassault 20 Falcon fleet at Teesside Airport. The Falcons are used for target towing and EW training.
More from Training
-
![EU training and support continues to flow to Ukraine]()
EU training and support continues to flow to Ukraine
The latest assistance for Ukrainian forces will support personnel trained under the EU Military Assistance Mission with non-lethal equipment, supplies and service to back the instructional activities.
-
![W5 Solutions contracted to support Swedish tank and vehicle sims]()
W5 Solutions contracted to support Swedish tank and vehicle sims
W5 Solutions will ensure reliability and availability of Swedish tank and vehicle egress simulators.
-
![ATI takes key role in US Army training innovation]()
ATI takes key role in US Army training innovation
Advanced Technology International will focus on modelling, simulation, training and experimental validation to enhance the US Army and allied nations' mission readiness with the Training and Readiness Accelerator II vehicle.
-
![Textron to develop new US Navy training aircraft]()
Textron to develop new US Navy training aircraft
The new T-54A Multi-Engine Training System turboprops will replace the ageing fleet of T-44 Pegasus (King Air 90) aircraft and provide students with advanced instrument and asymmetric engine handling training.
-
![Aeralis and AirTanker partner to explore fast jet pilot training]()
Aeralis and AirTanker partner to explore fast jet pilot training
The MoU signed between Aeralis and AirTanker will assess upcoming contracts in military flying training and also defence operational training and combat air support roles.
-
![CAE to build F-16 Block 70 sims for Taiwan]()
CAE to build F-16 Block 70 sims for Taiwan
CAE will provide hardware and software development, integration, testing and delivery of F-16 Block 70 training devices for the Republic of China Air Force.
