First ARTEMIS F-5 arrives in US for training programme

Swiss firm RUAG has handed over the primary of a complete of twenty-two F-5 jets to US Navy Tactical Air Assist (Tactical Air). Appearing as a subcontractor on behalf of Tactical Air, RUAG has been liable for performing inspections and chosen structural work on the F-5 plane, in addition to for overhauling the engines.

In July 2022, the US Navy assigned the contract for the ARTEMIS F-5 modernisation programme to Tactical Air. As a subcontractor of Tactical Air, RUAG has been liable for particular upkeep companies on the F-5 airframes and for the overhaul of the GE-J-85 engines after the US Navy acquired the 22 F-5 plane from the Swiss authorities a number of years in the past.

The US Navy deliberate to make use of the F-5 fleet for its Crimson Air coaching programme (tactical pilot coaching) and to function the plane till 2040 and past.

The extent of labor required will rely upon the variety of flight hours and the situation of the plane. RUAG has lately been engaged on 4 F-5 airframes. The primary plane delivered shall be additional modernised by Tactical Air with the set up of a brand new cockpit and a contemporary avionics suite.

Capt Greg Sutton, programme supervisor for the Specialised and Confirmed Plane Program Workplace (PMA-226), stated the trouble was the end result of a number of months of engineering and upkeep efforts carried out by the Tactical Air Assist crew in shut coordination with US Navy and US Marine Corps stakeholders.

RUAG has been performing the programme’s first section with plane inspection, upkeep, structural part alternative, and engine modification and overhaul.

Upon completion of this section, the plane are then transferred to Tactical Air Assist’s facility to start section 2. Throughout this section, plane inspections, upkeep, and restore proceed whereas integrating a brand new glass cockpit, fashionable avionics and different security modifications.

Preliminary deliveries of the 22 plane have been deliberate by mid-2025 with programme completion in 2028 including 11 F-5 Adversary plane to the every to the present stock of US Navy and US Marine Corps fleets.