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=== Current inventory ===
==Equipment==
[[File:Lockheed C-130H Hercules 502 (6803109449).jpg|thumb|right|A C-130H Hercules on take off]]
{| class="wikitable"
{| class="wikitable"
! style="text-align: left;"|Aircraft
! style="text-align:center; background:#acc;"|Aircraft
! style="text-align: left;"|Origin
! style="text-align: center; background:#acc;"|Origin
! style="text-align: left;"|Type
! style="text-align:l center; background:#acc;"|Type
! style="text-align: left;"|Versions
! style="text-align:left; background:#acc;"|Variant
! style="text-align:center; background:#acc;"|In service
! style="text-align: left;"|In service<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.milaviapress.com/orbat/oman/index.php|title=OrBat Oman - MilAvia Press.com: Military Aviation Publications|author=|date=|work=milaviapress.com}}</ref>
! style="text-align: left;"|Notes
! style="text-align: center; background:#acc;"|Notes
|-
|-
! style="align: center; background: lavender;" colspan="7" | [[Military aircraft#Combat aircraft|Combat Aircraft]]
| [[F-16|Lockheed Martin F-16C/D Fighting Falcon]]
| {{flag|USA}}
| Fighter
| F-16C/D
| 12
|An initial batch of 12 aircraft were delivered between 2005-2006, one of which was lost in a crash on 22 September 2013, killing its pilot.<ref>{{cite news| url=http://www.foxnews.com/world/2013/09/23/oman-airman-dies-in-second-training-accident-in-weeks/ | work=Fox News | title=Oman airman dies in second training accident in weeks | date=23 September 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.defensenews.com/article/20130923/DEFREG04/309230021/Oman-Airman-Dies-Second-Training-Accident-Weeks?odyssey=nav%7Chead|title=Oman Airman Dies In Second Training Accident In Weeks|author=|date=|work=Defense News}}</ref> An additional 12 aircraft were ordered (1 of which has been delivered)<ref>{{cite web|url=http://lockheedmartin.com/us/news/press-releases/2014/april/140407ae_oman-air-force-continues-f-16-legacy.html?sf2492619=1|title=Oman Air Force Continues F-16 Legacy|author=|date=|work=lockheedmartin.com}}</ref>
|-
|-
| [[General Dynamics F-16 Fighting Falcon|Lockheed Martin F-16]]
| [[Eurofighter Typhoon]]
| [[United States]]
| {{EU}}
|[[Multirole combat aircraft |multirole]]
| Fighter
| [[General Dynamics F-16 Fighting Falcon variants#F-16C/D|F-16C]]
| Eurofighter Typhoon
| 0
|14
|4 on order<ref name=" World Air Forces 2015 pg. 24">{{cite web |last = |first = |url= http://forms.flightglobal.com/WorldAirForces2015?product=PREM&mode=DOWNLOAD&DMDcode=FGWC4&fcid=%7B05ceef25-b72e-4bea-9a83-a7ab7d02e55a%7D_FC078_PREM_201412&fcfileext=pdf |title = World Air Forces 2015 pg. 24|work= |publisher= Flightglobal Insight |year= 2015 |doi = |accessdate= 10 October 2015}}</ref>
| 12 on order. Manufacturing will begin in 2014 with delivery expected in 2017.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-20808517
|accessdate=2012-12-21
|title=BAE Systems wins £2.5bn Oman Hawk and Typhoon contract | work=BBC News|date=21 December 2012}}</ref>
|-
|-
| [[Bae hawk 200|BAe Hawk 203]]
| [[British Aerospace Hawk 200 | BAE Hawk 200]]
| [[United Kingdom]]
| {{flag|UK}}
|[[ Light fighter|light multirole]]
| Ground Attack
| Hawk 203
| [[British Aerospace Hawk 200#Variants| 203]]
| 10<ref name=" World Air Forces 2015 pg. 24"/>
| 11
|
| 12 delivered in 1993
|-
|-
| [[Eurofighter Typhoon|Eurofighter]]
| [[Lockheed C-130 Hercules]]
| [[European Union]]
| {{flag|USA}}
|[[Multirole combat aircraft |multirole]]
| Tactical Transport
| C-130H<br>C-130J-30
| 3<br>1
| 2 more ordered in August 2010.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.defenseindustrydaily.com/the-c-130j-new-hercules-old-bottlenecks-03582/
|accessdate=2010-08-21
|title=The C-130J: New Hercules & Old Bottlenecks
}}</ref>
|-
| [[Dornier Do 228|Dornier Do 228-100]]
| {{flag|GER}}
| Light Transport
| Do 228-100
| 2
|
|
|
|12 on order<ref name=" World Air Forces 2015 pg. 24"/>
|-
! style="align: center; background: lavender;" colspan="7"| [[Maritime patrol aircraft |Maritime Patrol]]
|-
|-
| [[EADS CASA C-295|CASA C-295]]
| [[Airbus A320]]CJ
| [[Spain]]
| {{flag|EU}}
| maritime patrol
| Transport
| A320CJ
| 2
|
|
|
|3 on order<ref name=" World Air Forces 2015 pg. 24"/>
|-
|-
| [[EADS CASA C-295]]
|[[Short SC.7 Skyvan]]
|[[United Kingdom]]
| {{flag|SPA}}
| maritime patrol
| Transport / Maritime Patrol
|
| C-295
|3<ref name=" World Air Forces 2015 pg. 24"/>
| 1
|
| 8 ordered in total to replace Skyvans, 5 as Transporters and 3 to be used as Maritime patrol aircraft<ref name="flightglobal.com">{{cite web|url=http://www.flightglobal.com/news/articles/oman-orders-c295s-for-airlift-maritime-patrol-duties-372092/|title=Oman orders C295s for airlift, maritime patrol duties|author=Reed Business Information Limited|date=|work=flightglobal.com}}</ref>
|-
|-
! style="align: center; background: lavender;" colspan="7" | [[Military transport aircraft |Transport]]
| [[Short SC.7 Skyvan|Short SC.7 Skyvan 3M]]
| {{flag|UK}}
| Light Transport
| Skyvan 3M
| 12
| to be replaced by C-295
|-
|-
| [[Hawker Siddeley Hawk|BAe Hawk 103]]
|[[Airbus A320 family| Airbus A320]]
|[[France]]
| {{flag|UK}}
|[[Air transports of heads of state and government|VIP]]
| Advanced Jet Trainer
|
| Hawk 103
|2<ref> {{cite web|url= http://www.airbus.com/presscentre/pressreleases/press-release-detail/detail/royal-air-force-of-oman-orders-two-airbus-a320-corporate-jets/|title= Royal Air Force of Oman orders two Airbus A320 Corporate Jets |publisher= airbus.com |date=|accessdate=12 October 2015}}</ref>
| 4
|
| A total of 5 delivered in 1993, including 1 ex-Canadian.
|-
|-
| [[Lockheed C-130J]]
| [[BAe Hawk#Hawk 128 (Hawk T2)|Hawk 128 (Hawk T2)]]
| [[United States]]
| {{flag|UK}}
| [[Airlift| tactical airlift]]
| Advanced Jet Trainer
|
| Hawk 128
| 4<ref name=" World Air Forces 2015 pg. 24"/>
|
|one aircraft is a [[Lockheed C-130J#Variants|C-130J-30]]<ref> {{cite web|url= http://www.arabianaerospace.aero/oman-gets-ready-to-induct-c-130j.html |title= Oman gets ready to induct C-130J |publisher= arabianaerospace.aero |date=|accessdate=12 October 2015}}</ref>
| 8 on order.<ref name="AFMAUG14">{{cite book|title=[[AirForces Monthly]]|year=August 2014|publisher=[[Key Publishing|Key Publishing Ltd]]|location=[[Stamford, Lincolnshire|Stamford]], [[Lincolnshire]], [[England]]|pages=22}}</ref>
|-
|-
| [[Lockheed C-130 Hercules|C-130 Hercules]]
| [[MFI-17 Mushshak|PAC Super MFI-17 Mushshak]]
| [[United States]]
| {{flag|PAK}}
| transport
| Trainer
|[[Lockheed C-130 Hercules#Variants|C-130H]]
| 3<ref name=" World Air Forces 2015 pg. 24"/>
|
|
| 7
| 8 delivered.
|-
|-
| [[Pilatus PC-9]]M
| [[EADS CASA C-295|CASA C-295]]
| [[Spain]]
| {{flag|Swiss}}
| transport
| Trainer
| PC-9M
|
| 12
| 4
|1 on order<ref name=" World Air Forces 2015 pg. 24"/>
| delivered 1999-2000
|-
|-
! style="align: center; background: lavender;" colspan="7" | [[Helicopters]]
| [[Bell 205|Agusta-Bell AB205A-1]]
| {{flag|Italy}}
| Search and Rescue Helicopter
| AB205A-1
| 21
| To be retired and replaced with NH90 and Lynx Mk 120. A total of 37 delivered and 3 on loan from Iran.
|-
|-
| [[AgustaWestland AW139]]
|[[Bell 206]]
| [[United States]]
| {{flag|Italy}}
|utility
| Helicopter
|
| AW139
|4<ref name=" World Air Forces 2015 pg. 24"/>
| 10
|
| 10 purchased for [[Royal Oman Police]] aviation wing.
|-
|-
| [[Bell 206|Bell 206B JetRanger]]
|[[Bell 205]]
| [[United States]]
| {{flag|USA}}
|utility
| Helicopter
|
| Bell 206
|5<ref name=" World Air Forces 2015 pg. 24"/>
| 5
|
| 7 delivered.
|-
|-
| [[Bell 214|Bell 214\214ST]]
|[[NHIndustries NH90]]
|[[European union]]
| {{flag|USA}}
|utility / transport
| Utility Helicopter
| Bell 214<br>Bell 214ST
| 5<br>6
|
|
|15<ref name=" World Air Forces 2015 pg. 24"/>
|4 on order
|-
|-
|[[Aérospatiale SA 330 Puma|Aérospatiale SA330]]
| [[UH-1 Iroquois|Bell HH-1H Iroquois]]
| [[France]]
| {{flag|USA}}
|transpot / utility
| Helicopter
|
| HH-1H
|2<ref name=" World Air Forces 2015 pg. 24"/>
| 20
|
|
|-
|-
| [[Eurocopter Fennec|Eurocopter AS 550 Fennec]]
| [[Eurocopter AS332 Super Puma| Eurocopter AS332]]
| [[France]]
| {{flag|FRA}}
| transport / utility
| Helicopter
| AS 550
|
| 2<ref name=" World Air Forces 2015 pg. 24"/>
| 3
|
|Delivered To Omani Royal Flight.
|-
|-
|[[Westland Lynx]]
| [[Eurocopter EC225 Super Puma]]
| [[United Kingdom]]
| {{flag|EU}}
|[[Anti-surface warfare|ASW]]
| Helicopter
|[[Westland Lynx#Export variants|Super Lynx 120]]
| EC 225
|15<ref name=" World Air Forces 2015 pg. 24"/>
| 6
|
|Delivered to Omani Royal Flight.
|-
|-
! style="align: center; background: lavender;" colspan="7" | [[Trainer (aircraft)|Trainer Aircraft]]
| [[NH90|NHI NH90]]
|-
| {{flag|EU}}
| [[General Dynamics F-16 Fighting Falcon|F-16]]
| Helicopter
| [[United States]]
|conversion trainer
| [[General Dynamics F-16 Fighting Falcon variants#F-16C/D|F-16D]]
| 6<ref name=" World Air Forces 2015 pg. 24"/>
|
|
| 11
| 8 to be delivered, The RAFO have up to now ordered 20 NH90 TTH in order to replace its fleet of aging AB205A/206/212/214.
|-
|-
| [[Westland Lynx|Westland Super Lynx]]
| [[BAE Systems Hawk| BAE Hawk]]
| [[United Kingdom]]
| {{flag|UK}}
|advanced trainer
| Helicopter
| [[BAE Systems Hawk#Hawk 100 |103]]
| Super Lynx Mk. 120
| 15
| 5
|8 on order<ref name=" World Air Forces 2015 pg. 24"/>
| 16 Delivered from 2004.<li/>
1 w/o 18 August 2006<ref>{{cite web|url=http://aviation-safety.net/wikibase/dblist2.php|title=Aviation Safety Network > ASN Aviation Safety WikiBase > ASN Aviation Safety Database results|author=Harro Ranter|date=|work=aviation-safety.net}}</ref>
|-
|-
|[[Pilatus PC-9]]
|Total
|[[Switzerland]]
|trainer
|
|
|12<ref name=" World Air Forces 2015 pg. 24"/>
|
|
|
| 247+
|
|-
|}
|}


{{columns-list|3|
'''Air-to-Air missiles'''
*70 [[MBDA]] [[R.550 Magic]]
*550 [[AIM-9 Sidewinder|AIM-9P\L Sidewinder]]
*50 [[AIM-120 AMRAAM]]
*310 [[AIM-9 Sidewinder|AIM-9M Sidewinder]]

'''Air-to-Ground missiles'''
*20 [[AGM-84]]D Harpoon
*80 [[AGM-65 Maverick|AGM-65D\G Maverick]]

'''Bombs'''
*BL-755
*GBU-31\38
*(84) JDAM (GBU-13\32)
*Paveway-II (150) (GBU-10\12\16)
*CBU-97 SFW350 (50)

'''Avionics\Pods'''
*2 TARS
*7 Sniper AN-AAQ-33
*AN-ALE-47
*AN-ALQ-211
*JHMCS Pilot helmet
*Topowl
*TWE
*12 AN\APG-66 combat aircraft radars (for [[F-16]]C\D)

'''Target drones'''
*53 TTL BTT-3 Banshee

'''Radars'''
*AR-15
*4x S-713 Martello 3-D
*2x S-600
*1x Watchman
}}
===Historical aircraft===
===Historical aircraft===
[[File:Shoreham Airshow 2013 (9696960681).jpg|thumb|BAC 167 Strikemaster Mk 82A in Sultan of Oman's Air Force colour scheme at the 2013 [[Shoreham Airshow]].]]
[[File:Shoreham Airshow 2013 (9696960681).jpg|thumb|BAC 167 Strikemaster Mk 82A in Sultan of Oman's Air Force colour scheme at the 2013 [[Shoreham Airshow]].]]

Revision as of 04:14, 13 October 2015

"RAFO" redirects here. For a Romanian oil refinery, see RAFO Oneşti.
Royal Air Force of Oman
سلاح الجو السلطاني العماني
Royal Air Force of Oman emblem
FoundedSince March 1959
CountryOman
Commanders
Commander of the RAFOAir Vice-Marshal Matar bin Ali Al Obaidani
Insignia
Roundel of the former SOAF (Sultan of Oman's Air Force)
RAFO Fin Flash
Ensign of the former SOAF (Sultan of Oman's Air Force)
Aircraft flown
FighterLockheed Martin F-16C/D Fighting Falcon / BAe Hawk 203
TrainerBAe Hawk 103, Pilatus PC-9M, PAC Super MFI-17 Mushshak
TransportAirbus A320CJ, Lockheed C-130 Hercules, Dornier Do 228-100

The Royal Air Force of Oman (RAFO — سلاح الجو السلطاني عمان - Silāḥ al-Jaww as-Sulṭāniy ‘Umān) is the air arm of the Armed Forces of Oman

History

Sultan of Oman's Air Force era

The Sultan of Oman's Air Force (SOAF) was formed with British personnel and aircraft in March 1959. The first aircraft were two Scottish Aviation Pioneers transferred from the Royal Air Force. The first armed aircraft was the Percival Provost T52.[1]

In 1968 the SOAF received the first of 24 BAC Strikemaster jet trainer and light strike aircraft for operation against insurgents in the Dhofar region. In 1974 the SOAF was expanded with orders for the Britten Norman Defender, BAC One-Eleven, BAC VC10 and 32 Hawker Hunter ground attack aircraft. In 1977 Jaguar International joined the SOAF, followed in the 1980s by the BAe Hawk.[1]

Royal Air Force of Oman era

In 1990 the SOAF was renamed the Royal Air Force of Oman (RAFO).[1] In 1993 and 1994 the RAFO replaced its Hawker Hunters with four BAE Hawk Mk 103 fighter-trainers and 12 single-seat Hawk Mk 203, equipped with Westinghouse APG-66H radar, as light ground attack/interceptors. In September 1997 after the evaluation of new combat aircraft the RAFO decided to upgrade and extend the service lives of its remaining 17 SEPECAT Jaguar ground attack fighters until the second decade of the 21st century. A contract was placed with the United Kingdom Ministry of Defence to upgrade the avionics of the Jaguar aircraft for $40 million. In 2005 deliveries started of the F-16, equipped with improved GPS/INS. The aircraft can carry a further batch of advanced missiles; the AGM-88 HARM missile, JDAM, JSOW and WCMD. Block 50 aircraft are powered by the F110-GE-129 while the Block 52 jets use the F100-PW-229.

On 3 August 2010 the USA Defense Security Cooperation Agency notified the congress of a possible sale of 18 F-16 Block 50/52 to Oman in a contract worth 3.5 Billion USD. In addition to the new fighters, the contract included upgrading existing 12 F-16 C/D in the RAFO inventory.[2] On 14 December 2011 it was announced that Oman had agreed to buy an additional 12 F-16C/D Block 50s to join the 12 F-16s C/Ds already in service.[3]

Oman was considering the purchase of either Eurofighter Typhoon or JAS 39 Gripen aircraft,[4] but on the 21st of December 2012 a £2.5 billion deal was signed in Muscat to supply RAFO with 12 Eurofighter Typhoon fighter jets and 8 BAE Hawk Advanced Jet Trainer aircraft, the delivery should start by 2017.[5]

  • A Royal Air Force of Oman Jaguar intercepting an Il-38 in 1987.
    A Royal Air Force of Oman Jaguar intercepting an Il-38 in 1987.
  • Royal Air Force of Oman BAC 1-11 Model 485GD at RIAT 2008, UK.
    Royal Air Force of Oman BAC 1-11 Model 485GD at RIAT 2008, UK.
  • Lockheed Hercules C-130H at RIAT 2010
    Lockheed Hercules C-130H at RIAT 2010
  • Lockheed Martin Hercules C-130J departs the 2014 Royal International Air Tattoo, England
    Lockheed Martin Hercules C-130J departs the 2014 Royal International Air Tattoo, England
  • Royal Omani Air Force Hawker Hunter at RAF Museum in Hendon
    Royal Omani Air Force Hawker Hunter at RAF Museum in Hendon
  • Hawker Siddeley Hunter FR.10 at the RAF Museum in London. This aircraft formerly served as part of The Royal Air Force of Oman
    Hawker Siddeley Hunter FR.10 at the RAF Museum in London. This aircraft formerly served as part of The Royal Air Force of Oman
  • EADS CASA C-295 of the Royal Air Force of Oman at Paris Air Show 2013.
    EADS CASA C-295 of the Royal Air Force of Oman at Paris Air Show 2013.

Bases

Installation Unit with aircraft type Notes
RAFO Adam Eurofighter Typhoon Air base is currently being built.
RAFO Khasab No. 14 Squadron (det) with NH90-TTH
RAFO Musannah No. 14 Squadron (det) with NH90-TTH
No. 15 Squadron with NH90-TTH & Super Lynx Mk.120
RAFO Masirah No. 1 Squadron with Super Mushshak & PC-9(M)
No. 6 Squadron with Hawk 103, Hawk 103A & Hawk 203
No. 15 Squadron (det) with Super Lynx Mk.120
RAFO Muscat No. 2 Squadron with SC7-3M-4022 Seavan Air base co-located within Muscat International Airport.
No. 4 Squadron with A320-214CJ
No. 14 Squadron with NH90-TTH & SA330J
No. 16 Squadron with C-130H & C-130J
RAFO Salalah No. 3 Squadron with NH90-TTH, Bell 206B & Super Lynx Mk.120
No. 5 Squadron with C295M
RAFO Thumrait No. 18 Squadron with F-16C-50-CF & F-16D-50-CF Squadron expected to move to RAFO Musannah soon.
No. 20 Squadron with F-16C-50-CF & F-16D-50-CF

Current inventory

A C-130H Hercules on take off
Aircraft Origin Type Variant In service Notes
Combat Aircraft
Lockheed Martin F-16 United States multirole F-16C 14 4 on order[6]
BAE Hawk 200 United Kingdom light multirole 203 10[6]
Eurofighter European Union multirole 12 on order[6]
Maritime Patrol
CASA C-295 Spain maritime patrol 3 on order[6]
Short SC.7 Skyvan United Kingdom maritime patrol 3[6]
Transport
Airbus A320 France VIP 2[7]
Lockheed C-130J United States tactical airlift 4[6] one aircraft is a C-130J-30[8]
C-130 Hercules United States transport C-130H 3[6]
CASA C-295 Spain transport 4 1 on order[6]
Helicopters
Bell 206 United States utility 4[6]
Bell 205 United States utility 5[6]
NHIndustries NH90 European union utility / transport 15[6] 4 on order
Aérospatiale SA330 France transpot / utility 2[6]
Eurocopter AS332 France transport / utility 2[6]
Westland Lynx United Kingdom ASW Super Lynx 120 15[6]
Trainer Aircraft
F-16 United States conversion trainer F-16D 6[6]
BAE Hawk United Kingdom advanced trainer 103 5 8 on order[6]
Pilatus PC-9 Switzerland trainer 12[6]

Historical aircraft

BAC 167 Strikemaster Mk 82A in Sultan of Oman's Air Force colour scheme at the 2013 Shoreham Airshow.

Commanders

The first Omani to command the Air Force was Air Vice-Marshal Talib bin Meran bin Zaman Al-Raeesi who was appointed in June 1990.[12]

References

  1. ^ a b c "Royal Air Force of Oman". Retrieved 31 January 2014.
  2. ^ http://www.dsca.mil/PressReleases/36-b/2010/Oman_10-40.pdf
  3. ^ Hoyle, Craig. "Omani F-16 deal means continued wait for Eurofighter." Flight International via flightglobal.com, 14 December 2011. Retrieved: 18 December 2011.
  4. ^ Royal Air Force of Oman, JAS 39 Gripen and Eurofighter Typhoon. Tactical Report (2010-06-03). Retrieved on 2013-08-16.
  5. ^ BBC News - BAE Systems wins £2.5bn Oman Hawk and Typhoon contract. Bbc.co.uk (2012-12-21). Retrieved on 2013-08-16.
  6. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q "World Air Forces 2015 pg. 24". Flightglobal Insight. 2015. Retrieved 10 October 2015.
  7. ^ "Royal Air Force of Oman orders two Airbus A320 Corporate Jets". airbus.com. Retrieved 12 October 2015.
  8. ^ "Oman gets ready to induct C-130J". arabianaerospace.aero. Retrieved 12 October 2015.
  9. ^ Oman retires last Jaguar strike aircraft - Flightglobal.com, 12 August 2014
  10. ^ "RAFO retires Jaguar aircraft after 37 years in service". Muscat Daily News. 23 October 2014.
  11. ^ a b "Aeroflight  » Oman. Air Force". aeroflight.co.uk.
  12. ^ "The Evolution of Oman's Royal Air Force". rafmuseum.org.uk.
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