IPMS South Africa - SAAF Special Missions, Boeing 707-328C.

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SAAF Special Missions, Boeing 707-328C.

Written by Anton Dyason - IPMS SA Media Group
Sunday, 11 August 2002
Page 2 of 4 Tanker: Early photo of the Boeing 707 aircraft - note the absence of National markings. Some and quite possibly all of the other four aircraft were rebuild as "hose and drogue" tankers, with one refuelling station in the rear of the fuselage and two in the form of underwing pods. Normally, only the wing-tip stations are used and mean two aircraft can refuel simultaneously. This procedure is a proven force multiplier. An air force capable of in-flight refuelling can have its fighter aircraft take off with a heavier bomb load and less fuel, because the jet can then refuel once it is airborne. It also increases the range of fighter aircraft, making them operationally effective over a larger area. Successfully refuelling while in flight, however, demands precision flying, and practising the procedure with fighter squadrons is done on a regular basis. 60 Squadron is thus also seen as part of the fighter community. EW: SAAF's EW logo as displayed at SAAF 80. Close inspection of these aircraft reveal dorsal and chin radommes. However, these radommes and antennas are always removed when the aircraft is on static display to the general public - suggesting modular components of very high tech. design! The type of radomme etc. confirm, the aircraft are equipped for electronic warfare (EW), electronic surveillance (ELINT), signal intelligence (SIGINT), communication intelligence (COMINT) and probably some sort of "early warning" and airborne command. The majority of these systems were sourced locally and involved South Africa's whole defence electronic industry. This is further confirmation of the world class capability of the local industry. At least one aircraft been photographed with a dorsal radomme. This is possibly a direction finder and probably the latest version of a similar system mounted on a SAAF DC-4 electronic surveillance aircraft during the 1980s. (Note: If you have info on SAAFDC-4s, please email This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it - it would make an interesting modelling subject!! ) In addition a HF wire antenna is strung from the vertical fin to its centre fuselage, together with an array of dorsally-mounted VHF/UHF blade antennas. Although electronic warfare is much more sophisticated than photo reconnaissance, it basically serves the same purpose: gathering information from the air for use in operations. Thus the sqdn has come full circle concerning intelligence work since it inception more than 50 years ago. While not confirmed, but the shape of the nose suggest the 707s could be fitted with a new nose mounted radar, which probably offers search & rescue and air-to-air surveillance. << Start < Prev 1 2 3 4 Next > End >>
Last Updated ( Sunday, 04 November 2007 )