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By Sean Nolan Author's Note: This article is not an attempt at historical revisionism
or a glorification of German nationalism, but my view on how the
Luftwaffe would appear in 2300AD. Although not rigidly based upon
2300AD canon, I have tried to keep it has near to the 2300AD timeline
and history as possible, and I have tried to make Germany’s relative
position in 2300AD as realistic as possible. Acknowledgements Based on the ideas of D Hebditch, David Gillon, Bryn Monnery, and others. Introduction The modern Luftwaffe was formed in 2292 when the German
armed forces were re-established after nearly three centuries of
division. However the Luftwaffe had a bloody rebirth as it was soon
called into combat during the War of German Reunification against the
French Empire. Due to Germany’s limited interests beyond Europe, the
Luftwaffe is orientated towards operations within the European theatre
and lacks some of global capabilities of contemporary air forces such
as the France’s Armée de l'Air and the British Royal
Air Force. However the Luftwaffe gained a formidable reputation during
the WoGR and is considered to be one of the most powerful air forces in
Europe. Germany has a history of aviation stretching back to the early 20th Century and is considered an early pioneer in the development of manned flight, and propelled and lighter-than-air aircraft. During the first and second world wars of the 20th Century German military aviation earned a formidable reputation. The activities of German First World War aces have near legendary status even today, although German activities in the Spanish Civil War and Second World War have a more infamous reputation. Nonetheless Germany’s technological accomplishments in aviation from this period remain highly impressive, and played a major role in developing jet aircraft, helicopters, guided and ballistic missiles, and greatly influenced the later space programmes of the United States and the Soviet Union. However due to Germany’s turbulent history and political division before and after the Twilight War, no unified German air force had existed from the end of the Twilight War until the late 22nd Century.
In 2292 the Luftwaffe was re-established when the armed
forces of Bavaria, Brandenburg, Hanover, Saxony and
Westphalia were unified. Before German reunification the state air
forces were overshadowed by the larger forces of France, Britain and
Russia, and excluding Bavaria were smaller than middle ranking powers
such as Italy, Poland and the Scandinavian Union. At reunification the
Luftwaffe inherited an assortment of air forces with considerable
variations in doctrines, organisation and capabilities. Although most
state air forces were well equipped, the Bayerisch Luftstreitkräfte for
example was heavily influenced by French doctrine and used many
French aircraft, while the Hanoverian Luftstreitkräfte
and Sachsen Luftkorps had enjoyed links to Britain’s Royal Air Force
since the end of the Twilight War. Pre-reunification military contact
between the different German states was close and joint exercises were
common, but combining such a collection of different forces proved a
major challenge. This task was made more difficult as the Luftwaffe was
required to contest German airspace with the powerful French Armée de l'Air, as France disputed the incorporation
of Bavaria into the newly unified Germany which directly led to the
WoGR. Led by Hanover, the north and eastern German states increasingly pressurised Bavaria into becoming part of
the new German Republic. France like many other European countries was
alarmed by the re-emergence of a unified German state in the heart of
Europe, but was reluctant to use military power to
prevent the reunification of the north German states due to negative
international opinion. However the incorporation of Bavaria and her
interstellar colonies into the new Germany was intolerable
to
France, but when German forces crossed into Bavaria the
French Army was largely powerless to prevent it due to heavy
commitments in the Central Asian Republic and with guerrilla conflict
on Joi. Initial French intervention planned to establish an airmobile
bridgehead in Munich to rally loyal Bavarian forces, but this was
postponed due to Luftwaffe fighter activity over Bavarian airspace.
French indignation was compounded by only scattered Bavarian resistance
to German forces, and the French could only protect Bavarian soldiers
and units who opted to oppose the Reunification as they crossed the
border into France. Humiliated the French Junta mobilised the
mainly conscript French territorial defence forces, but neglected to
recall elements of the French Manouvre Army from the CAR or bring in
substantial reinforcements from Africa or the Colonies. France had
planned to alarm the Germans into withdrawing from Bavaria by
mobilising her forces. But without providing themselves with the
numbers of troops required to liberate Bavaria or fully committing the
powerful Armée de l'Air, the early stages of the WoGR
settled into a period of diplomatic and military manoeuvring without
any combat outside of border skirmishes. French hesitation to fully commit her forces gave Germany
and the Luftwaffe time to prepare their defences. As the threat of
French intervention escalated neighbouring European countries such as Austrovenia, Britain, Italy, the Netherlands, Poland, the
Scandinavian Union and Switzerland enforced no-fly zones around their
airspace, enabling the air corridors approaching Germany to become
increasingly restrictive and favourable to German defensive strategy.
German agent provocateurs supported by the German military
intelligence stoked unrest among the
large German descended population in the French Rhineland, and more
effectively among Flemish nationalists in Flanders with the alleged
complicity of the Dutch. A series of large Manchurian military
manoeuvres on CAR border and politically motivated anti-French protests
across Azania unnerved French commanders in Africa and Asia, and tied
up French military resources outside of Europe. As military clashes
along the Franco-Bavarian border intensified, France alleged the
involvement of German military intelligence in provoking
incidents
which had led to French retaliation against German forces,
and ordered the French Army to cross the Bavarian border. The French counter-attack was initially through southern Bavaria for political reasons, which
actually favoured German defences. Expecting light
resistance from German forces in Bavaria’s Baden-Wurttemberg region,
French forces were stunned by the ferocity of Luftwaffe attacks which
mauled French Army units near Stuttgart and shot down a number of
French aircraft. Unlike the Bavarian Army, the Bayerisch
Luftstreitkräfte was largely pro-German from the outset and allowed the
Luftwaffe to use air bases and resources from the opening sequence of
the war. As the fighting in Bavaria spread to the German Rhineland, the
Luftwaffe was called upon to support land forces and defend German
airspace. As the Armée de l'Air recovered from the
initial shock of the stubborn Luftwaffe defences, Luftwaffe losses
began to climb as French interceptor and air defences intensified.
Although the French Army’s operations were limited to a
slow moving, slogging match through the heavily urbanised Rhineland
that was easily contained by the German Army, Luftwaffe
ground attack squadrons were required to strike heavily defended French
positions at low altitudes in heavily urbanized areas with inadequate
aircraft. The addition of Bavarian combat
squadrons, some with Central Asian War experience, enhanced Luftwaffe
capabilities but led to service and replacement problems as the war
progressed. The intensive nature of the air clashes over Germany had
convinced both French and German commanders of the vulnerability of
manned aircraft, and drone aircraft came to be used more than ever
before. Despite suffering heavy losses the Luftwaffe
was holding its own against the larger Armée de l'Air. German air
defences were inflicting heavy losses on French incursions into German
airspace, and German industry was replacing losses and introducing
competitive aircraft such as the Sabel fighter. The Luftwaffe was also
proving adept at intercepting French aircraft at long ranges. A number
of French bomber formations in the North Atlantic being disrupted by
long ranged interceptor sweeps, and a dozen French surveillance
aircraft and drones were shot down at high altitude across northern
Europe and off the North African coast. After a month of intensive fighting, the French Army’s
assault on Germany was clearly failing. French ground forces began to
slowly withdraw to the French border under heavy German pressure, and
it was evident to the French military government that resources from
across the French Union would be needed to defeat Germany. French
casualty rates were also higher than expected, and there were civil
protests in France against the Junta. Sensing French hesitation
Germany launched an offensive through the Ardennes, with fast moving columns of hover-mobile armour punching through French
defences and entering French territory for the first time in centuries.
Discontent among Flemish nationalists in France’s Belgian Department
also exploded into a full scale insurrection against France, which
further pressurised French forces. As the German Army
went on the offensive into France, the Luftwaffe was called upon to
suppress French air defences and provide air support to German ground
forces. The Luftwaffe successfully conducted a number of coordinated
air strikes on French air bases, which caused little material damage
but forced the Armée de l'Air to evacuate Force de Frappe assets from
bases in European France to Algeria due to the threat of German attack.
However intensive French air defences and manned and drone fighter
screens above French land forces took a heavy toll on German aircraft,
with some Luftwaffe ground attack squadrons having attrition rates of
over 60% on sorties over France. As the German Army advance into France
reached within 46km of Paris before French reserves from the Manouvre
Army
managed to bring the assault to a halt on the Somme in the Battle
of Picardy, Luftwaffe pilot and aircraft losses were approaching
alarmingly
high rates. Although French reinforcements were starting to
turn the course of the war, the Junta actively sought an
armistice with Germany as it had lost the political will to continue
fighting. Germany accepted the armistice and gained acceptance of her
new borders, but they were realistically glad to end the war as the
prospect of facing the full force of the French Union would only result
in serious damage to Germany.
The general performance and reputation of the Luftwaffe
was greatly enhanced by the WoGR, despite the strain on its resources
and the heavy losses incurred against the Armée de l'Air. In the
aftermath of the war the Luftwaffe has undergone a period of
restructuring to better suit its needs. Organisationally all former
state air units were disbanded, and individual units were amalgamated
or renamed to prevent accusations of any state having a dominant
position. Some historic units have also been re-established and
controversially named after German air personnel and fighter aces.
Among the German armed forces the Luftwaffe is considered far less
politicised than other services such as the German army. During the war
the Luftwaffe inherited a lot of aircraft and equipment of different
origins, which were hard to service and replace. A priority for the
Luftwaffe since the end of the war has been to standardise its air
fleet, and purchase domestic designs to stimulate the German aerospace
industry. The age profile of the Luftwaffe’s air fleet is now
relatively young as many older and foreign aircraft have been sold and
replaced by new German kit. Operationally the Luftwaffe is structured
towards fighting the France and her allies in Europe. At present the
Luftwaffe cannot match the strategic capabilities of the Armée de
l'Air, but without the global commitments of France it doesn’t need to.
Numerically the Luftwaffe is smaller than the Armée de l'Air on Earth
and along the colonies of the French Arm, but by considering air power
arrayed in the European combat theatre it is arguably more powerful
than its great French rival. French propaganda aside, most neutral
observers would conclude that France would need the full involvement of
either British or Russian air power to defeat the Luftwaffe in any
future conflict in Europe. At the dawn of the 24th Century
the Luftwaffe has joined German and other human forces in the fight
against the Kafers, with combat and support squadrons assigned to Luftgeschwader 53 as part of Operation
Hercules to liberate the colony of Dunkelheim. The Luftwaffe is part of the Deutsches Bundeswehr, the unified federal armed forces of Germany which controls all land, sea, air and space forces. The Luftwaffe is a professional organisation that is answerable to the government of the Bundesrepublik, and is directly controlled by the Air Staff at the Ministry of Defence in Berlin. From Berlin various departments administer all aviation units and establishments with a remarkable Teutonic efficiency. Staffing, maintenance, services and procurement for the entire Luftwaffe is coordinated from the Air Staff office, which also governs the chain of supply that keeps each wing, group and squadron operational, armed and supplied. The Air Staff also supervise the Luftwaffe arsenals and depots in Berlin, Cologne, Munich and the German colonies, and the supply terminals linked to the German Maglev rail network located at key Luftwaffe air bases across Germany. The Air Staff also controls the Objektschutzregiment der Luftwaffe, and deploys its battalions and squadrons to bases across Germany and the colonies. Luftwaffe deployments and intelligence is relayed to other German forces on Earth and in orbit from Berlin, although it is widely suspected that a back up joint forces command bunker complex has been built deep beneath Berlin or at some other location in Germany. Unlike the other services the Luftwaffe retains no remnants of the pre-reunification state forces in its organisation. Luftwaffe defence priorities on Earth remain centred on Europe; although the colonial air wings are concerned with the defence of the planets they are located on. Lingering hostility with France still exists from the WoGR, and despite the Kafer War the prospect of fighting a two front war with the French Empire and her allies in Eastern Europe remains an over-riding defence concern for Germany. The Luftwaffe is organised into five formations.
The largest formation is the Luftdivision which is
responsible for an air sector equivalent to a geographical region and
has four geschwader under its
command. Luftwaffe wings are equivalent to British Royal Air
Force groups and are commanded by staff officers. Each
wing has a particular role such as fighter, fighter-bomber,
reconnaissance or transport,
and is equipped with aircraft appropriate for its task. Conventional
air wings have between 108-162 aircraft, depending on
the role or if the unit is equipped with manned or drone aircraft. Each
wing has three or occasionally four attached gruppen which are
equivalent in size to Royal Air Force wings, although some colonial
wings only have two gruppen. Groups are the real operational tactical
combat unit within the Luftwaffe, and usually have between 36-54
aircraft. They are commanded by experienced officers and aircrew from
within the cadre of the group or wing they are attached to. Under each
group are three or occasionally four staffel of 6-18 aircraft,
depending on the role of the squadron and the type of aircraft used.
The schwarm is the smallest formation in the Luftwaffe with each
staffel being divided into three schwarm of between 2-6 aircraft. Operationally the Luftwaffe is organised into four
separate commands and the air force regiment. 1. Luftwaffenkommando (Air Force Command) 2. Lufttransportkommando (Air Transport Command) 3. Deutsche Kolonial Luftwaffe (German Colonial Air Force) 4. Luftwaffenausbildungkommando (Air Force Education and Training Command) 5. Objektschutzregiment der Luftwaffe (Air Force Regiment) 1. Luftwaffenkommando Luftwaffenkommando controls all Luftwaffe combat and
reconnaissance assets on Earth, commanding three air defence divisions and three independent air wings. Two air
divisions are focused on defending German air and orbital space, and
are equipped with manned and drone fighter and reconnaissance aircraft,
and ground based air defence and orbital anti-ship missiles. The third
air division is a tactical bomber force controlling all of Germany’s
bomber assets. There has been some discussion in German defence circles
about creating a German version of France’s Force de
Frappe through combining the orbital defence missile wings with
3 Luftdivision’s assets. However the Luftwaffe is focused towards
tactical operations in Europe and will lack a genuine strategic bomber
until the An-87X Donnerschlag enters service
over the coming decade. 1 Luftdivision is based along the tense Franco-German
border in the west. It controls three fighter wings (JG 71, JG 75, JG
76), a reconnaissance wing (AG 51), one orbital defence missile wing
(FSK 2) and three air defence missile wings (FBS 1, FBS 3, FBS 5). 2 Luftdivision is based along the eastern border and the
Baltic coast. It controls three fighter wings (JG 72, JG 77, JG 78), a
reconnaissance wing (AG 52), one orbital defence missile wing (FSK 1)
and three air defence missile wings (FBS 2, FBS 4, FBS 6). 3 Luftdivision controls five fighter-bomber wings ((JGB
31, JGB 32, JGB 33, JGB 34, JGB 35). Two wings (JGB 31, JGB 34) support
land forces in the west, and two wings (JGB 32, JGB 35) support forces
in the east. JGB 33 functions as a reserve force for both fronts and
also undertakes long ranged strike and interdiction missions for the
Luftwaffe. JG 73 is an independent fighter wing based in northern
Germany which provides air cover on 1 Luftdivision’s northern flank
over the North Sea and Scandinavia. It has a multi-purpose function as
it commands a fighter-bomber group and is the Luftwaffe’s test and
evaluation unit. JG 74 is an independent strategic interceptor wing
which is used for long ranged interceptor patrols. LG 53 is an ad-hoc air wing that was formed for the
purpose of establishing German air support for military operations on
Dunkelheim. Its organisation is similar to the structure of the
colonial wings and includes elements of Lufttransportkommando
and
the Army under its command. Due to the temporary
nature of its creation none of the units assigned to LG 53 is
permanently attached to it, but are rotationally deployed from other
Luftwaffe air wings on Earth. 2. Lufttransportkommando Lufttransportkommando controls all of the Luftwaffe’s earth based transport and tanker assets, and commands a total of five lufttransportgeschwader (transport wings). Lufttransportkommando focuses on airlift and tanker support roles on Earth since command over most military tilt-rotor and helicopter transport was ceded to the German Army’s Heeresfliegertruppe after German reunification. LTG 61 is a small wing with a single group of three squadrons which control the Luftwaffe’s fleet of liaison and government transport aircraft. LTG 62 is a three group wing of heavy transport and tanker aircraft. The wing is head quartered near Berlin as its strategic heavy transport and tanker aircraft are considered important to the German government. Each group has two squadrons of aircraft. The first group controls heavy transport assets, while the two tanker groups support Luftwaffenkommando air wings. LTG 63 and LTG 64 are both three group tactical transport wings that work closely with the German Army, particularly 1 Luftlande Division and other deployable ground units. LTG 63 aircraft supports ground forces in eastern Germany while LTG 64 supports ground forces in the west. 637 Staffel from LTG 63 is currently on deployment to Dunkelheim. LTG 65 controls the Luftwaffe’s fleet of Cuirassier Class interface landers. Although the Deutsche Stern Kriegsmarine has the primary responsibility for Germany’s orbital lift assets, the Luftwaffe retains three lander squadrons out of practicality which are used to lift army troops and vehicles to German starships in orbit. Luftwaffe landers can be frequently found berthed at the DSKM’s Bifrost space naval station in high Earth orbit, with one squadron presently on detachment to Nibelungen. 3. Deutsche Kolonial Luftwaffe DKL is responsible for the air and orbital defence of
German colonies in the French Arm; Nibelungen, BCV-4, Dunkelheim,
Hochbaden, Vogelheim and Joi. It is also tasked with supporting
military operations on the various colonies it is deployed to, and its
component wings have a more multi-functional organisation than its
Earth based counterparts. DKL works closely with both the DSKM and the
ground forces in the German colonies, but the Kafer invasion of the
French Arm has severely disrupted DKL operations. The air contingent on
Dunkelheim was wiped out during the Kafer invasion, and the contingents
on Beta Canum, Hochbaden and Joi also took very heavy losses. This has
led to operations being centred on the populous and economically
powerful colony of Nibelungen, with smaller detachments deployed to
other colonies. LG Nibelungen with six attached air groups is the main operations wing of the DKL. Most of the DKL’s combat squadrons and the majority of the airlift and reconnaissance assets are under its command. Some squadrons have also been semi-permanently deployed to the BCV-4 and Joi to bolster their operational strength, and there are plans in the near future to send more units to the other German colonies to reinforce LG 53 in liberation duties in the French Arm. LG Beta Canum took heavy losses during the Kafer invasion of BCV-4, were the majority of its combat resources were destroyed defending the colony. However Beta Canum is an important colony and local forces are being rebuilt and reinforced with federal and other colonial forces. The Beta Canum contingent currently deploys two air groups, while a strike-bomber squadron from Nibelungen has been assigned to reinforce it. Beta Canum ground based air and orbital batteries have also been deployed to Joi and Hochbaden. DKL forces in the other German colonies are organised
into smaller Luftgruppen. LG Joi has been reinforced from Nibelungen
and Beta Canum due to rivalry with the Japanese colony, and the
volatile political situation with Elysia. A Nibelungen strike-bomber
and drone reconnaissance squadron, and two Beta Canum air and orbital
defence batteries support the local forces on Joi.
DKL contingents at Hochbaden and Vogelheim
are concerned with supporting local ground forces, and are limited to a
couple of airlift squadrons and an orbital defence battery from Beta
Canum. DKL forces on Dunkelheim were wiped out during the Kafer
invasion and air assets for the beleaguered colony are now the
responsibility of LG 53. 4. Luftwaffenausbildungkommando Luftwaffenausbildungkommando performs a vital function within the Luftwaffe. It ensures that all Luftwaffe pilots and aircrew receive a thorough understanding of the aircraft they are operating, and that pilots progressively transfer to new aircraft types successfully. Luftwaffenausbildungkommando is head quartered in Cologne and operates training schools and squadrons across Germany. · Fliegerisches Ausbildungszentrum der Luftwaffe (Air Force Flying Training Centre) - Fassberg · Offiziersschule der Luftwaffe (Air Force Officer School) - Berlin · Unteroffiziersschule der Luftwaffe (Air Force NCO School) - Cologne · Technische Schule der Luftwaffe (Air Force Technical School) - Cologne Pilot training is run by 1 Luftwaffenausbildungschwader, a four group wing based at the Fliegerisches Ausbildungszentrum der Luftwaffe in Fassberg. Basic pilot training is undertaken by Gruppe I were novice pilots are trained on propeller driven aircraft. Conversion to fast jet and multi-engine aircraft is run by Gruppe II which uses a mixture of training jets and older frontline aircraft. After completing basic training, pilots complete advanced training on the aircraft they have been earmarked to fly with Gruppe III whose squadrons have a range of different front line aircraft. Gruppe IV is based off-world at Nibelungen and is responsible for training pilots from the colonial air wings. Cadet pilots who are selected to fly frontline combat aircraft are evaluated by JG 75, an active fighter wing based at Fassberg. Most cadet pilots are then assigned to their respective squadrons to complete active training, but some pilots of outstanding ability are sent to JG 73 at Wittmundhafen. JG 73 is the Luftwaffe’s test and evaluation unit, and while undergoing training pilots receive the best instruction and tuition available. However flight restrictions due to the heavy urbanisation of modern Germany has led the Luftwaffe to lease training facilities from Canada and the Scandinavian Union were some JG 73 squadrons are periodically deployed on training exercises, while a testing range is also maintained off-world on Nibelungen. Before German reunification the Hanoverian Luftstreitkräfte enjoyed friendly links with the Royal Air Force and Canadian Air Command, and the Luftwaffe has retained many of these friendly links to the irritation of France. JG 73 pilots regularly undergo simulated and live combat trials against British and Canadian trainee and instructor pilots in Britain and Canada. Some pilots have also accompanied JG 73 squadrons on deployment to Dunkelheim, and are regularly sent to Nibelungen on training exercises. Pilots who complete their active training with JG 73 usually stay with JG 73, or they can expect to be transferred to the elite JG 71 fighter wing. The Luftwaffe also retains friendly links with other air forces around the world, and it is not uncommon to find Luftwaffe pilots on exchange in countries such as America, Australia, Azania, Brazil, Britain, Canada, the Scandinavian Union and more recently Manchuria. At the end of the WoGR the Deutsches Bundeswehr began a training programme for Luftwaffe spaceplane crews to allow them to quickly transfer to DSKM interface craft in hostilities, and reinforce the then limited pool of qualified DSKM personnel. This programme gradually led to the opening of a training school for Luftwaffe pilots run by the DSKM on Bifrost Station, were selected Luftwaffe crew familiarised themselves with DSKM landers and fighters. The German government also leases runway space at air bases across Africa and North and South America from a number of countries on request to allow for training and emergency spaceplane landings. Since the start of the Kafer War this programme has escalated and selected Luftwaffe personnel now regularly undertake Zero-G and environmental survival training at the DSKM’s survival school at Rhea in the outer Solar System, while fighter pilots receive advanced combat training on DSKM warships on exercises in the Neubayern System. It is rumoured that some Luftwaffe fighter pilots have also become aces while serving with the DSKM on operations against the Kafers. Presently it is believed that there are enough qualified Luftwaffe personnel to operate over 50 DSKM fighters and spaceplanes. 5. Objektschutzregiment der Luftwaffe Objektschutzregiment der Luftwaffe is Germany’s air force infantry, equivalent in function to America’s Air Force Security Forces, the RAF Regiment and the French Fusiliers Commandos de l'Air. The principle role of the regiment is to defend Luftwaffe air bases and installations and provide security teams for Flugabwehhraketengeschwader and Flugkörpergeschwader wings when dispersed from bases. The regiment also specialises in defensive measures against (NBC) Nuclear, Biological and Chemical warfare, fire fighting, air base damage disposal and explosive ordnance reconnaissance and disposal. The regiment also has a rarely used role in capturing and securing enemy air installations. Objektschutzregiment der Luftwaffe has a total of eight battalions under its command. Each battalion is structured according to the speciality of the unit and has a number of staffel which are equivalent in size to an infantry company. Battalions 1-6 specialise in infantry, security and air defence roles. Battalion 7 specialises in NBC defence and fire fighting etc, and Battalion 8 is the training battalion permanently based in Fassberg. Battalions 5 and 6 are off-word regiments. Battalion 6 is based with the DKL at Nibelungen, while Battalion 7 is based at Beta Canum with its squadrons deployed to the other colonies. Objektschutzregiment der Luftwaffe liaises with other military police units such as the army’s Feldjager, and also German Federal and local State police forces. As they consider themselves airmen like the rest of the Luftwaffe, many troops opt to take airborne training with the Fallschirmjägers of 1 Luftlande Division to obtain their parachute badges. Objektschutzregiment der Luftwaffe troops attached to security teams at key installations are required to undergo firearm and unarmed combat training with the 39 Jäger Brigade, the Earth based special-forces unit of the German Army. The regiment also uses a number of unique wheeled armed para-military vehicles for air base security and escort duties, but uses much the same wheeled personnel carrying vehicles, small arms and short ranged air defence missiles as the rest of the army. Jagdgeschwader (Fighter-Wing) Fighter wings are tasked with combat-air-patrol, air-to-air combat and occasionally supplementing fighter-bomber units when necessary. Manned fighter wings use the modern Anf-32C/E Sabel and the veteran Sh-11G Scheide fighter aircraft. Drone fighter wings use the Cr-50D Wirbelsturm UCAV for first line air defence duties. The An-82D/G Falke fighter is used for high altitude and long ranged interception duties, giving the Luftwaffe an interception capability across Northern Europe and into Western Asia and North Africa. Jagdeschwader wings are organised into squadrons of twelve aircraft, while drone fighters have squadrons of eighteen aircraft.
Jagdbombergeschwader (Fighter-Bomber Wing) Fighter-bomber wings perform ground attack, long ranged penetration, stand-off missile strikes and simple carpet bombing duties. Jagdbombergeschwader wings are organised the same as fighter wings, and use the veteran An-84G Rottkappchen and modern An-86A Donnerschlag strike-bomber. Luftwaffe ground-attack wings are equipped with the powerful Cr-2G Libelle VTOL attack aircraft and the new expendable Ks-10 Grendel combat drone. Aufklärungsgeschwader (Reconnaissance Wing) Aufklärungsgeschwader wings perform airborne early
warning and strategic reconnaissance duties, but are also used for
surveillance, target acquisition, electronic warfare and supplement
Germany’s ground radar network and fleet of orbital spy satellites.
Aufklärungsgeschwader drone squadrons use the versatile Cr-40
Nachtteufel and the veteran An-83 Roggerhund UAV in the colonial air
forces, but most airborne early warning and strategic reconnaissance
work is done by manned Df-221 Storch aircraft. Aufklärungsgeschwader
have a smaller organisation than most other conventional Luftwaffe
wings, with groups only having two squadrons. Reconnaissance aircraft
squadrons have six aircraft each, while drone squadrons have twelve
aircraft. Lufttransportgeschwader (Air Transport Wing) Lufttransportgeschwader wings control transport and airborne tanker aircraft, and the Luftwaffe’s share of the interface lander fleet. Depending on their function lufttransportgeschwader wings have either two or three groups with two or three assigned squadrons. Transport and tanker squadrons are organised into twelve aircraft squadrons Luftwaffenausbildungschwader (Air Training Wing) All Luftwaffe training is handled by 1 Luftwaffenausbildungschwader, who control four air groups with three squadrons each of aircraft and a wide spectrum of training aircraft. Flugkörpergeschwader (Missile Wing) Flugkörpergeschwader unit’s control Germany’s land based orbital defence missile assets. Flugkörpergeschwader have two battalions of orbital defence missiles, with each battalion having three batteries of six Hexe mobile orbital launchers and a command group. Flugkörpergeschwader’s batteries are usually dispersed away from their home bases. Flugabwehhraketengeschwader (Surface-to-Air Missile Wing) Flugabwehhraketengeschwader control theatre air defence missile assets. Flugabwehhraketengeschwader have two battalions of long ranged air defence missiles, with each battalion having three batteries of six hypersonic 350km range Fackel SAM systems and a command group. Individual batteries are dispersed away from their home bases. Luftgeschwader (Air Wing) Luftgeschwader were created to support air operations in
the German colonies, and are mixed operational wings with various
groups and units assigned in accordance to their needs. Colonial
Luftgeschwader can have as many as six assigned groups as in the case
of the LG Nibelungen, or as few as one squadron. LG 53 was created to support air operations on Dunkelheim as
part of Operation Hercules. It has four groups under its command drawn
from Luftwaffe air wings on Earth, including a fighter-bomber group, a
drone-fighter group with land based air defence assets, a joint
transport group of Luftwaffe and Army tactical transport aircraft, and
a reconnaissance group with engineering and ground defence assets. Luftwaffenkommando 1 Luftdivision 1 Luftdivision is head quartered in Cologne-Bonn and controls air defence and early warning resources in western and southern Germany. It defends the borders with Austrovenia, France, Flanders, the Netherlands and Switzerland, and also supports 3 Luftdivision operations in the west. 1 Luftdivision operates the most modern German aircraft available, and its air wings which include the elite JG 71 fighter wing are maintained at very high operational levels. Jagdgeschwader 71 Richthofen (JG 71) (Lechfeld) Gruppe I (Lechfeld) 711 Staffel (12 Anf-32E Sabel) 712 Staffel (12 Anf-32E Sabel) 713 Staffel (12 Anf-32E Sabel) Gruppe II (Erding) 714 Staffel (12 Anf-32C Sabel) 715 Staffel (12 Anf-32C Sabel) 716 Staffel (12 Anf-32C Sabel) Gruppe III (Niederstetten) 717 Staffel (12 Anf-32C Sabel) 718 Staffel (12 Anf-32C Sabel) 719 Staffel (12 Anf-32C Sabel) Jagdgeschwader 75 Lowenhardt (JG 75) (Fassberg) Gruppe I (Fassberg) 751 Staffel (12 Anf-32C Sabel) 752 Staffel (12 Anf-32C Sabel) 753 Staffel (12 Anf-32C Sabel) Gruppe II (Spangdahlem) 754 Staffel (12 Anf-32C Sabel) 755 Staffel (12 Anf-32C Sabel) 756 Staffel (12 Anf-32C Sabel) Gruppe III (Rhein-Main) 757 Staffel (12 Anf-32C Sabel) 758 Staffel (12 Anf-32C Sabel) 759 Staffel (12 Anf-32C Sabel) Jagdgeschwader 76 Jacobs (JG 76) (Ramstein) Gruppe I (Ramstein) 761 Staffel (18 Cr-50D Wirbelsturm) 762 Staffel (18 Cr-50D Wirbelsturm) 763 Staffel (18 Cr-50D Wirbelsturm) Gruppe II (Buchel) 764 Staffel (18 Cr-50D Wirbelsturm) 765 Staffel (18 Cr-50D Wirbelsturm) 766 Staffel (18 Cr-50D Wirbelsturm) Gruppe III (Zweibrucken) 767 Staffel (18 Cr-50D Wirbelsturm) 768 Staffel (18 Cr-50D Wirbelsturm) 769 Staffel (18 Cr-50D Wirbelsturm) Aufklärungsgeschwader 51 Immelmann (AG 51)
(Nordholz) Gruppe I (Nordholz) 511 Staffel (6 Df-221-AW Storch AEW) 512 Staffel (6 Df-221-EW Storch ELINT) Gruppe II (Roth) 513 Staffel (12 Cr-40 Nachtteufel) 514 Staffel (12 Cr-40 Nachtteufel) Gruppe III (Cologne-Bonn) 515 Staffel (12 Cr-40 Nachtteufel) 516 Staffel (12 Cr-40 Nachtteufel) Flugkörpergeschwader 2 (FKS 2) (Ramstein) Flugkörper Artillerie Abteilung 12 Flugkörper Artillerie Abteilung 14 Flugabwehhraketengeschwader 1 (FBS 1) (Ramstein) Flugabwehhraketen Artillerie Abteilung 25 Flugabwehhraketen Artillerie Abteilung 26 Flugabwehhraketengeschwader 3 (FBS 3) (Cologne-Bonn) Flugabwehhraketen Artillerie Abteilung 27 Flugabwehhraketen Artillerie Abteilung 28 Flugabwehhraketengeschwader 5 (FBS 5) (Neuburg) Flugabwehhraketen Artillerie Abteilung 20 Flugabwehhraketen Artillerie Abteilung 23 2 Luftdivision 2 Luftdivision is head quartered in Berlin-Tegel and defends the borders with Poland, the Czech Republic and the Baltic coast, and supports 3 Luftdivision operations in the east. The threat to Germany from Eastern Europe is not as intimidating as that from France, and 2 Luftdivision units are generally maintained at lower operational levels than 1 Luftdivision in the west. Many squadrons assigned to LG 53 on Dunkelheim have been drawn for 2 Luftdivision. However 2 Luftdivision is a capable force and would prove a formidable deterrent to any incursion into German airspace from Eastern Europe. Jagdgeschwader 72 Udet (JG 72) (Laage) Gruppe I (Lagge) 721 Staffel (12 Sh-11G Scheide) 722 Staffel (12 Sh-11G Scheide) 723 Staffel (12 Sh-11G Scheide) Gruppe II (Laage) 724 Staffel (12 Sh-11G Scheide) 725 Staffel (12 Sh-11G Scheide) 726 Staffel (12 Sh-11G Scheide) Gruppe III (Laage) 727 Staffel (12 Sh-11G Scheide) 728 Staffel (12 Sh-11G Scheide) 729 Staffel (12 Sh-11G Scheide) Jagdgeschwader 77 Rall (JG 77) (Berlin-Tegel) Gruppe I (Berlin-Tegel) 771 Staffel (18 Cr-50D Wirbelsturm) 772 Staffel (18 Cr-50D Wirbelsturm) 773 Staffel (18 Cr-50D Wirbelsturm) Gruppe II (Berlin-Tegel) 774 Staffel (18 Cr-50D Wirbelsturm) 775 Staffel (18 Cr-50D Wirbelsturm) 776 Staffel (18 Cr-50D Wirbelsturm) Gruppe III (Laage) 777 Staffel (18 Cr-50D Wirbelsturm) (* on deployment to Dunkelheim) 778 Staffel (18 Cr-50D Wirbelsturm) (* on deployment to Dunkelheim) 779 Staffel (18 Cr-50D Wirbelsturm) (* on deployment to Dunkelheim) Jagdgeschwader 78 Batz (JG 78) (Holzdorf) Gruppe I (Holzdorf) 781 Staffel (12 Anf-32C Sabel) 782 Staffel (12 Anf-32C Sabel) 783 Staffel (12 Anf-32C Sabel) Gruppe II (Berlin-Tegel) 784 Staffel (12 Anf-32C Sabel) 785 Staffel (12 Anf-32C Sabel) 786 Staffel (12 Anf-32C Sabel) Gruppe III (Holzdorf) 787 Staffel (12 Anf-32C Sabel) 788 Staffel (12 Anf-32C Sabel) 789 Staffel (12 Anf-32C Sabel) Aufklärungsgeschwader 52 Dietrich (AG 52) (Berlin-Tegel) Gruppe I
(Berlin-Tegel) 521 Staffel (6 Df-221-AW Storch AEW) 522 Staffel (6 Df-221-EW Storch ELINT) Gruppe II (Berlin-Tegel) 523 Staffel (12 Cr-40 Nachtteufel) 524 Staffel (12 Cr-40 Nachtteufel) Gruppe III (Berlin-Tegel) 525 Staffel (12 Cr-40 Nachtteufel) (* on
deployment to Dunkelheim) 526 Staffel (12 Cr-40 Nachtteufel) (* on
deployment to Dunkelheim) Flugkörpergeschwader 1 (FKS 1) (Berlin-Tegel) Flugkörper Artillerie Abteilung 13 Flugkörper Arillerie Abteilung 15 Flugabwehhraketengeschwader 2 (FBS 2) (Berlin-Tegel) Flugabwehhraketen Artillerie Abteilung 21 Flugabwehhraketen Artillerie Abteilung 24 Flugabwehhraketengeschwader 4 (FBS 4) (Kiel) Flugabwehhraketen Artillerie Abteilung 29 Flugabwehhraketen Artillerie Abteilung 30 Flugabwehhraketengeschwader 6 (FBS 6) (Holzdorf) Flugabwehhraketen Artillerie Abteilung 22 Flugabwehhraketen Artillerie Abteilung 31 3 Luftdivision 3 Luftdivision is head quartered in Cologne-Bonn and controls five fighter-bomber wings. JGB 31 and JGB 34 support German ground forces in the west, and JGB 32 and JGB 35 support forces in the east. JGB 33 functions as a reserve wing for both fronts, and Gruppe III is on deployment to Dunkelheim. Jagdbombergeschwader 31 Boelcke (JGB 31) (Neuburg) Gruppe I (Ramstein) 311 Staffel (12 Cr-2G Libelle) 312 Staffel (12 Cr-2G Libelle) 313 Staffel (12 Cr-2G Libelle) Gruppe II (Norvenich) 314 Staffel (12 Cr-2G Libelle) 315 Staffel (12 Cr-2G Libelle) 316 Staffel (12 Cr-2G Libelle) Gruppe III (Neuburg) 317 Staffel (18 Ks-10 Grendel) 318 Staffel (18 Ks-10 Grendel) 319 Staffel (18 Ks-10 Grendel) Jagdbombergeschwader 32 Berthold (JGB 32) (Holzdorf) Gruppe I (Holzdorf) 321 Staffel (12 Cr-2G Libelle) 322 Staffel (12 Cr-2G Libelle) 323 Staffel (12 Cr-2G Libelle) Gruppe II (Berlin-Tegel) 324 Staffel (12 Cr-2G Libelle) 325 Staffel (12 Cr-2G Libelle) 326 Staffel (12 Cr-2G Libelle) Gruppe III (Berlin-Tegel) 327 Staffel (18 Ks-10 Grendel) 328 Staffel (18 Ks-10 Grendel) 329 Staffel (18 Ks-10 Grendel) Jagdbombergeschwader 33 Hartmann (JGB 33) (Celle) Gruppe I (Celle) 331 Staffel (12 An-86A Donnerschlag) 332 Staffel (12 An-86A Donnerschlag) 333 Staffel (12 An-86A Donnerschlag) Gruppe II (Buckeburg) 334 Staffel (12 An-86A Donnerschlag) 335 Staffel (12 An-86A Donnerschlag) 336 Staffel (12 An-86A Donnerschlag) Gruppe III (Celle) 337 Staffel (12 An-86A Donnerschlag) (* on deployment to Dunkelheim) 338 Staffel (12 An-86A Donnerschlag) (* on deployment to Dunkelheim) 339 Staffel (12 An-86A Donnerschlag) (* on deployment to Dunkelheim) Jagdbombergeschwader 34 Sachsenberg (JGB 34) (Gutersloh) Gruppe I (Gutersloh) 341 Staffel (12 An-86A Donnerschlag) 342 Staffel (12 An-86A Donnerschlag) 343 Staffel (12 An-86A Donnerschlag) Gruppe II (Gutersloh) 344 Staffel (12 An-86A Donnerschlag) 345 Staffel (12 An-86A Donnerschlag) 346 Staffel (12 An-86A Donnerschlag) Gruppe III (Bentlage) 347 Staffel (12 An-84G Rottkappchen) 348 Staffel (12 An-84G Rottkappchen) 349 Staffel (12 An-84G Rottkappchen) Jagdbombergeschwader 35 Neumann (JGB 35) (Berlin-Tegel) Gruppe I (Berlin-Tegel) 351 Staffel (12 An-86A Donnerschlag) 352 Staffel (12 An-86A Donnerschlag) 353 Staffel (12 An-86A Donnerschlag) Gruppe II (Laage) 354 Staffel (12 An-84G Rottkappchen) 355 Staffel (12 An-84G Rottkappchen) 356 Staffel (12 An-84G Rottkappchen) Gruppe III (Holzdorf) 357 Staffel (12 An-84G Rottkappchen) 358 Staffel (12 An-84G Rottkappchen) 359 Staffel (12 An-84G Rottkappchen) Independent wings Jagdgeschwader 73 Steinhoff (JG 73) (Wittmundhafen) Gruppe I (Wittmundhafen) 731 Staffel (9 Anf-32E Sabel, 3 Anf-32F Sabel) 732 Staffel (9 Anf-32C Sabel, 3 Anf-32F Sabel) 733 Staffel (9 Anf-32C Sabel, 3 Anf-22F Sabel) (* CFB Cold Lake, Canada) Gruppe II (Wittmundhafen) 734 Staffel (6 An-87X Donnerschlag) (* on deployment to Nibelungen) 735 Staffel (9 An-86A Donnerschlag, 3 An-86B Donnerschlag) (* Andoya AB, Norway-SU) 736 Staffel (9 An-86A Donnerschlag, 3 An-86B
Donnerschlag) Gruppe III (Wittmundhafen) 737 Staffel (12 Anf-32C Sabel, 3 Anf-22D Sabel) 738 Staffel (12 Anf-32C Sabel, 3 Anf-22D Sabel) 739 Staffel (12 Anf-32C Sabel, 3 Anf-22D Sabel) Jagdgeschwader 74 Voss (JG 74) (Nordholz) Gruppe I (Nordholz) 741 Staffel (12 An-82G Falke) 742 Staffel (12 An-82G Falke) 743 Staffel (12 An-82G Falke) Gruppe II (Jever) 744 Staffel (12 An-82C Falke) 745 Staffel (12 An-82C Falke) 746 Staffel (12 An-82C Falke) Gruppe III (Berlin-Tegel) 747 Staffel (12 An-82C Falke) 748 Staffel (12 An-82C Falke) 749 Staffel (12 An-82C Falke) Luftgeschwader 53 (LG 53) (Dunkelheim) Gruppe I (Dunkelheim) 337 Staffel (12 An-86A Donnerschlag) (* JGB 33) 338 Staffel (12 An-86A Donnerschlag) (* JGB 33) 339 Staffel (12 An-86A Donnerschlag) (* JGB 33) Gruppe II (Dunkelheim) 827 Staffel (18 Cr-50D Wirbelsturm) (* JG 77) 828 Staffel (18 Cr-50D Wirbelsturm) (* JG 77) 829 Staffel (18 Cr-50D Wirbelsturm) (* JG 77) Gruppe III (Dunkelheim) 637 Staffel (12 Loadmaster III) (* LTG 63) Gruppe IV (Dunkelheim) 525 Staffel (12 Cr-40 Nachtteufel) (* AG
52) 526 Staffel (12 Cr-40 Nachtteufel) (* AG
52) Deutsche Kolonial Luftwaffe Luftgeschwader Nibelungen (LG Nibelungen) (Nibelungen) Gruppe I (Nibelungen) 301 Staffel (12 An-86A Donnerschlag) 302 Staffel (12 An-84G Rottkappchen) 303 Staffel (12 An-84G Rottkappchen) Gruppe II (Nibelungen) 304 Staffel (12 An-84G Rottkappchen) (* on deployment to BCV-4) 305 Staffel (12 An-84G Rottkappchen) (* on deployment to Joi) 306 Staffel (12 An-84G Rottkappchen) Gruppe III (Nibelungen) 701 Staffel (12 An-82C Falke) 702 Staffel (12
Sh-11G
Scheide) 706 Staffel (18
Cr-50D
Wirbelsturm) Gruppe IV (Nibelungen) 503 Staffel (12 Cr-40 Nachtteufel) 504 Staffel (12 An-83 Roggenhund) (* on deployment to Joi) Gruppe V (Nibelungen) 601 Staffel (12 Loadmaster III) 603 Staffel (17 Ne-77) 604 Staffel (14 Ne-77) Gruppe VI
(Nibelungen) Flugkörper Artillerie Abteilung 10 Flugabwehhraketen Artillerie Abteilung 32 Luftgeschwader Beta Canum (LG Beta Canum) (German Continent, BCV-4) Gruppe I 304 Staffel (12 An-84G Rottkappchen) (* Luftgeschwader Nibelungen) 703 Staffel (12 Sh-11G Scheide) 705 Staffel (18 Cr-50D Wirbelsturm) Gruppe II 505 Staffel (12 An-83 Roggenhund) 605 Staffel (16
Ne-77)
Flugkörper Artillerie Abteilung 11 (* one battery only) Flugabwehhraketen Artillerie Abteilung 33 (* two batteries only) Luftgruppen Hochbaden (LG Hochbaden) (Hochbaden) 606 Staffel (12
Ne-77)
Flugkörper Artillerie Abteilung 3/11 (* one battery from Luftgeschwader Beta Canum) Luftgruppen Joi (LG Joi) (Halbinsel, Joi) 305 Staffel (12 An-84G Rottkappchen) (* Luftgeschwader Nibelungen) 707 Staffel (12 Sh-11G Scheide) 607 Staffel (18
Ne-77)
504 Staffel (12 An-83 Roggenhund) (* Luftgeschwader Nibelungen) Flugkörper Artillerie Abteilung 2/11 (* one battery from Luftgeschwader Beta Canum) Flugabwehhraketen Artillerie Abteilung 2/33 (* one battery from Luftgeschwader Beta Canum) Luftgruppen Vogelheim (LG Vogelheim) (Alderhorst, Vogelheim) 608 Staffel (12
Ne-77)
Lufttransportkommand Lufttransportgeschwader 61 (LTG 61) (Berlin-Tegel) Gruppe I (Berlin-Tegel) 611 Staffel (6 MAE Haley) 612 Staffel (6 Df-221 Storch) 613 Staffel (18 Fk-12 Summenvogel) (* Cologne-Bonn) Lufttransportgeschwader 62 (LTG 62) (Berlin-Tegel) Gruppe I (Berlin-Tegel) 621 Staffel (12 WD-3 Skyking) 622 Staffel (12 WD-3 Skyking) Gruppe II (Berlin-Tegel) 623 Staffel (12 Df-221-K Storch) 624 Staffel (12 Df-221-K Storch) Gruppe III (Cologne-Bonn) 625 Staffel (12 Df-221-K Storch) 626 Staffel (12 Df-221-K Storch) Lufttransportgeschwader 63 (LTG 63) (Berlin-Tegel) Gruppe I (Berlin-Tegel) 631 Staffel (12 Bf-212 Rinder) 632 Staffel (12 Bf-212 Rinder) 633 Staffel (12 Bf-212 Rinder) Gruppe II (Hohn) 634 Staffel (12 Bf-212 Rinder) 635 Staffel (12 Bf-212 Rinder) 636 Staffel (12 Bf-212 Rinder) Gruppe III (Berlin-Tegel) 637 Staffel (12 Loadmaster III) (* on deployment to Dunkelheim) 638 Staffel (12 Loadmaster III) 639 Staffel (12 Loadmaster III) Lufttransportgeschwader 64 (LTG 64) (Cologne-Bonn) Gruppe I (Cologne-Bonn) 641 Staffel (12 Bf-212 Rinder) 642 Staffel (12 Bf-212 Rinder) 643 Staffel (12 Bf-212 Rinder) Gruppe II (Landsberg) 644 Staffel (12 Bf-212 Rinder) 645 Staffel (12 Bf-212 Rinder) 646 Staffel (12 Bf-212 Rinder) Gruppe III (Wuntsdorf) 647 Staffel (12 Bf-212 Rinder) 648 Staffel (12 Bf-212 Rinder) 649 Staffel (12 Bf-212 Rinder) Lufttransportgeschwader 65 (LTG 65) (Berlin-Tegel) Gruppe I (Berlin-Tegel) 651 Staffel (12 Cuirassier) 652 Staffel (12 Cuirassier) (* Cologne-Bonn) 653 Staffel (9 Cuirassier) (* on deployment to Nibelungen) Luftwaffenausbildungkommando 1 Luftwaffenausbildungschwader (Fassberg) Gruppe I (Fassberg) 11 Luftwaffenausbildungsstaffel (18 Bf-202 Gans) 12 Luftwaffenausbildungsstaffel (18 Bf-202 Gans) 13 Luftwaffenausbildungsstaffel (18 Bf-202 Gans) Gruppe II (Fassberg) 14 Luftwaffenausbildungsstaffel (18 Cr-3 Pfeil) 15 Luftwaffenausbildungsstaffel (18 Cr-3 Pfeil) 16 Luftwaffenausbildungsstaffel (6 Sh-11H Scheide, 9 An-84H Rottkappchen, 1 Bf-212 Rinder, 1 Loadmaster III, 3 Cr-2B Libelle) Gruppe III (Fassberg) 17 Luftwaffenausbildungsstaffel (6 An-82H Falke, 12 Anf-22D Sabel) 18 Luftwaffenausbildungsstaffel (12 An-86B Donnerschlag, 6 Cr-2H Libelle) 19 Luftwaffenausbildungsstaffel (4 Bf-212 Rinder, 5 Df-221 Storch, 3 Fk-12, 1 Loadmaster III, 1 WD-3 Skyking) Gruppe IV (Nibelungen) 20 Luftwaffenausbildungsstaffel (18 Bf-202 Gans) 21 Luftwaffenausbildungsstaffel (5 Cr-3 Pfeil, 3 An-82H Falke, 3 An-84H Rottkappchen, 6 Sh-11H Scheide) 22 Luftwaffenausbildungsstaffel (1 Loadmaster III, 9 Ne-77) Objektschutzregiment der Luftwaffe Abteilung 1 (Ramstein) Abteilung 2 (Berlin-Tegel) Abteilung 3 (Nordholz) Abteilung 4 (Cologne-Bonn) Abteilung 5 (Nibelungen) Abteilung 6 (BCV-4) Abteilung 7 (Berlin-Tegel) Abteilung 8 (Fassberg) The Luftwaffe recruits from all sections of the German population on Earth and the German colonies. Germany considers any person with proven German heritage to be eligible to join any of the Deutsches Bundeswehr services, including the inhabitants of Friehaven and Heidelscheimat. Considering the size of the population of Germany and her colonies and the German Diaspora in general, the Luftwaffe has a potential recruitment pool of well over 500 million people. However the Luftwaffe is largely an Earth bound military organisation that draws the majority of its recruits from German territory on Earth, but over 10% of Luftwaffe personnel are recruited from the German colonies, Friehaven and elsewhere. At its foundation the Luftwaffe recruited many former members of the Bavarian military without asking too many questions, and during the WoGR accepted conscripted personnel into its ranks. Today many Bavarians from Earth and Garten remain in the ranks of the Luftwaffe, but unlike some of the other Bundeswehr services which still use a system of conscription to provide manpower, the Luftwaffe has become an all volunteer professional force. Standards of Luftwaffe recruitment are very high. The Luftwaffe only accepts new recruits from between the ages of 18-25, unless they have specialised skills and have transferred from one of the other armed services. All recruits are expected to have high school diploma and many also have diplomas from technical schools, while prospective officers and pilots are recruited from German university graduates. The Luftwaffe has many trades from electricians to combat security police, and paramedics to pilots, and many personnel also gain further diplomas and post-graduate degrees while serving with the Luftwaffe. An exception to Luftwaffe recruitment rules are instructors assigned to the JG 71 and JG 73 fighter wings. Both air wings actively recruit pilots from foreign air forces, and 40% of the instructors and at least 10% of the pilots of both air wings come from a number of foreign backgrounds, including America, Argentina, Australia, Azania, Brazil, Britain, Canada, Friehafen, Italy, Russia, and Texas. Jagdgeschwader 71 Richthofen JG 71 is named after the famous First World War German fighter ace Rittmeister Manfred Freiherr von Richthofen. Uniquely among modern Luftwaffe units JG 71 has remained in continual active service since the 20th Century. It served throughout the Twilight War and was never disbanded when Germany fractured into a number of different states in the early 21st Century, being incorporated into the new Hanoverian Luftstreitkräfte until it was transferred back to the Luftwaffe in 2292. JG 71 was involved in all air campaigns during the WoGR, suffering and inflicting heavy losses in combat with the French Armée de l'Air. After the war many German fighter aces were transferred to JG 71 for propaganda value and the unit has recruited a number of veteran foreign pilots. JG 71 is happy to play on their image, with aircraft sporting bizarre paint and camouflage schemes, while many pilots have taken to wearing Imperial era Junker style uniforms and apparel while off duty, a trend that has also spread to other Luftwaffe units. However the combat reputation of JG 71 is second to none and its pilots are considered among the best in the world. JG 71 is based in Bavaria and would be among the first Luftwaffe forces encountered by any French incursion into German airspace.
Jagdgeschwader 73 Steinhoff
JG 73 was re-established at the beginning of the WoGR but traces its lineage back to the pre-Twilight War unit of the same name which adopted the night-fighter traditions of the WW2 Luftwaffe. During the Twilight War JG 73 established an impressive air-to-kill ratio against Soviet aircraft in Europe, but its aircraft were eventually grounded and the unit disbanded as fuel supplies ran out. Re-formed in 2292 from ex-Bavarian fighter pilots with experience and knowledge of French aircraft and tactics, the main role of the wing is as an aggressor force that trains pilots in dissimilar combat tactics. JG 73 is also a test and evaluation unit for new Luftwaffe aircraft, although the wing is fully combat capable and equipped with frontline aircraft and its squadrons are periodically deployed to Canada and Norway on exercises. JG 73 squadrons have also been assigned to LG 53 at Dunkelheim as part of Operation Hercules. JG 73 actively recruits foreign pilots to work as instructors, which include a number of pro-German nationalist from the Friehafen military. List of current Luftwaffe operational aircraft Allgemeine-Nord Flugzeuge Gesellschaft Anf-32 Sabel Anf-32C Multi-role Fighter (321) Anf-32D Training Fighter (21) Anf-32E Multi-role Fighter (63) Anf-32F Training Fighter (9) Andersson An-82 Falke An-82C Interceptor Fighter (84) An-82G Interceptor Fighter (36) An-82H Training Fighter (9) Andersson An-83 Roggenhund An-83 Surveillance Drone (24) Andersson An-84 Rottkappchen An-84G Strike Bomber (168) An-84H Training Bomber (12) Anderson An-86 Donnerschlag An-86A Strike-Bomber (246) An-86B Training Bomber (18) Anderson An-87X Donnerschlag An-87X Strategic Strike-Bomber (6) Braun Flugzeugwerke Bf-202 Gans Bf-202 Basic Training Aircraft (72) Braun Flugzeugwerke Bf-212 Rinder Bf-212 STOL Tactical Transport Aircraft (185) Cronauer Cr-2 Libelle Cr-2B Training Fighter (3) Cr-2G Ground Attack VTOL Fighter (144) Cr-2H Training Fighter (6) Cronauer Cr- 3 Pfeil Cr-3 Advanced Training Aircraft (41) Cronauer Cr-40 Nachtteufel Cr-40 Surveillance & AEW Drone (120)
Cronauer Cr-50 Wirbelsturm Cr-50D Fighter Drone (360) Deutsche Flugzeugbau Df-221 Storch Df-221 Passenger Aircraft (11) Df-221-AW AEW Aircraft (12) Df-221-EW ELINT Aircraft (12) Df-221-K Tanker Aircraft (48) Fuch-Kramer Fk-12 Summenvogel Fk-12 Summenvogel Utility Transport Tilt-Rotor Aircraft (21) Kaminski-Steyn Ks-10 Grendel Ks-10 Grendel Combat Drone (108) Krupp Cuirrassier Class Lander Cuirrassier Military Spaceplane (33) Mitchell Aerospace MAe C.1 Haley MAe C.1 Haley Passenger Aircraft (6) Neumann Ne-77 Marder Neumann Ne-77 Utility Transport Tilt-Rotor Aircraft (107) Republic Aerospace Loadmaster III Ra.1 Loadmaster III STOL Tactical Transport Aircraft (51) Schempp-Hofmann Sh-11 Scheide Sh-11G Multi-Role Fighter (150) Sh-11H Training Fighter (12) Wright-Danbury Aeronautics WD.3 Skyking WD.3 Skyking Strategic Heavy Transport Aircraft (25) Anf-32 Sabel The Allgemeine-Nord Flugzeuge Anf-32 Sabel is a modern
German multi-role fighter aircraft. The Sabel was designed in
Westphalia prior to the outbreak of the WoGR, and was put into
production across the German aerospace sector as the war escalated. The
Sabel proved a highly capable and effective fighter in Luftwaffe
service, its agility allowed it to frequently
out-manoeuvre more numerous French opponents. Sabel squadron’s
consistently disrupted Armée de l'Air escort during bombing raids into
Germany, forcing French escort fighters to stand off which exposed
bombers to attack and losses. Although primarily a fighter the Sabel is
quite capable of being used in the strike or ground attack role. The
reputation of the aircraft has attracted the interest of many foreign
buyers, although to date the German government has declined to export
it. The current Luftwaffe version is the Sabel C model, although JG 71
and JG 73 are using the improved Sabel E version. Anf-32 Sabel Nationality: Germany Manufacturer: Allgemeine-Nord Flugzeuge Gesellschaft Type: Multi-Role Fighter Year in Service: 2292 In Service: Germany Crew: Pilot Weight: 8 Tonnes Armour: All faces 5 Armament: Integral laser system or 25mm AC Hardpoints: 6x 150kg Evasion: 22 Sensor Range: 500km Signature: -5 Cargo: N/A Max Speed: 2,500kph Cruising Speed: 1,600kph Combat Movement: 4,000m Endurance: 3 hours Price: Lv5,800,000 An-82 Falke The An-82 Falke is a Bavarian designed continental ranged high-altitude interceptor of CAW vintage. The Falke was used by the Bayerisch Luftstreitkräfte and other German air forces before the outbreak of the WoGR. Falke squadrons were quickly amalgamated into the Luftwaffe and the aircraft’s acceleration, altitude and long range were successfully exploited during the war. On a number of occasions Armée de l'Air and Aviation Navale bomber formations approaching Germany were successfully disrupted by Falke interceptor sweeps over Europe and the North Atlantic, and the Falke’s was also credited with shooting down a dozen French surveillance and electronic warfare aircraft and drones at high altitude across Europe. Although now a veteran aircraft, the Luftwaffe has improved the Falke’s altitude engines and sensor suite and the aircraft remains a highly competent interceptor. The Falke G model can deploy air launched Luther orbital defence missiles, and Falke G squadrons are considered part of Germany’s orbital defence screen and work closely with land based Flugkörpergeschwader and the DSKM. An-82 Falke Nationality: Bavaria/Germany Manufacturer: Andersson Type: High Altitude Interceptor Fighter Year in Service: 2283 In Service: Germany, Freihaven Crew: Pilot (+1) Weight: 13 Tonnes Armour: All faces 5 Armament: Integral laser system Hardpoints: 8x 150kg Evasion: 17 Sensor Range: 800km Signature: -3 Cargo: N/A Max Speed: 5,450kph Cruising Speed: 2,000kph Combat Movement: 13,000m Endurance: 3 hours (4 hours with 2x 500L drop tanks) Price: Lv6,900,000 An-83 Roggenhund The Roggenhund is an older Bavarian built surveillance
drone that was widely used by the German states before the WoGR. The
Roggenhund was the Luftwaffe’s principle recon drone during the war and
many were destroyed by French air defences. The Roggenhund has now been
completely replaced by the modern Cr-40 Nachtteufel in Luftwaffe
service, but the aircraft is still widely used by the Deutsche Marine’s Marinefliegergeschwader
and
with the colonial air wings. An-83 Roggenhund Nationality: Bavaria/Germany Manufacturer: Andersson Type: Surveillance Drone Year in Service: 2287 In Service: Germany, German Colonies, Friehaven, Hedelscheimat, Venezuela Crew: N/A Weight: 4 Tonnes Armour: All faces 4 Armament: N/A Hardpoints: 3x 500kg Evasion: 18 Sensor Range: 200km Signature: -2 Cargo: N/A Max Speed: 1,500kph Cruising Speed: 650kph Combat Movement: 3,000m Endurance: 3 hours (4 hours with 2x 500L drop tanks) Price: Lv4,000,000 An-84 Rottkappchen The An-84 Rottkappchen is a Bavarian multi-role strike-bomber of CAW vintage. The Luftwaffe inherited large numbers of Rottkappchen at its foundation and it became the Luftwaffe’s most important attack aircraft during the WoGR. The Rottkappchen inflicted its share of damage against French targets during the war, but losses were very high during the German offensive into France. Although the Rottkappchen was a very capable aircraft in its day, many were sold to other countries after the war due to block obsolescence and the introduction of newer German aircraft. The current An-84G model remains in Luftwaffe service, but the aircraft has been completely replaced by the Cr-2 Libelle in the ground attack role, and it is gradually being phased out by the far more capable An-86 Donnerschlag in the deep strike/interdiction roles. An-84 Rottkappchen Nationality: Bavaria/Germany Manufacturer: Andersson Type: Strike-Bomber Year in Service: 2284 In Service: Germany, German Colonies, Brazil, Czechoslovakia, Friehaven, Flanders, Kurdistan, Romania, Tanzania, Turkey, Venezuela Crew: Pilot Weight: 9 Tonnes Armour: All faces 4 Armament: 25mm AC Hardpoints: 4x 2,500kg/8x 200kg, 2x 125kg Evasion: 14 Sensor Range: 200km Signature: -2 Cargo: N/A Max Speed: 1,750kph Cruising Speed: 1,000kph Combat Movement: 3,500m Endurance: 4 hours Price: Lv2,500,000 An-86 Donnerschlag The An-86 Donnerschlag is a Bavarian designed strike-bomber whose introduction was postponed due to German Reunification. Incorporating lessons learned from operational use in attack missions during the WoGR, the Donnerschlag was designed to perform low-to-medium altitude penetration strikes at medium ranges and is gradually replacing the veteran Rottkappchen in Luftwaffe service. The Donnerschlag is a sophisticated and highly capable stealth strike aircraft that has sufficient range to target any location in the European combat theatre. An-86 Donnerschlag Nationality: Germany Manufacturer: Andersson Type: Strike-Bomber Year in Service: 2296 In Service: Germany, German Colonies Crew: Pilot (+1) Weight: 9 Tonnes Armour: All faces 4 Armament: Integral laser system Hardpoints: 4x 2,500kg/ 8x 200kg, 4x 150kg Evasion: 12 Sensor Range: 600km Signature: -2 Cargo: N/A Max Speed: 4,150kph Cruising Speed: 2,000kph Combat Movement: 8,000m Endurance: 3 hours Price: Lv7,200,000 An-87X Donnerschlag The An-87X is a prototype German strategic strike bomber that was designed the counter the rumoured development of a new French strike-bomber in the 2290’s. France’s introduction of the impressive Al-Jabar Simoom-F has justified the An-87X programme. The An-87X is a heavily modified development of the Andersson An-86 bomber, with an enlarged fuselage, more powerful engines, an upgraded sensor suite and a lower fuselage weapons bay like the Simoom-F. Andersson is currently testing a flight of An-87X with JG 73 at Nibelungen, and the introduction of the aircraft is expected to give the Luftwaffe a long ranged strike capability comparable to other major air forces. An-87X Donnerschlag Nationality: Germany Manufacturer: Andersson Type: Strategic Strike-Bomber Year in Service: 2300 In Service: Germany Crew: Pilot (+1) Weight: 15 Tonnes Armour: All faces 5 Armament: Integral laser system, Point Defence System Hardpoints: 4x 2,500kg/ 8x 200kg, 4x 150kg plus internal load space Evasion: 18 Sensor Range: 600km Signature: -2 Cargo: 5 Tonnes Max Speed: 5,450kph Cruising Speed: 2,900kph Combat Movement: 12,000m Endurance: 4 hours (5 hours with 2x 500L drop tanks) Price: Lv9,200,000 Bf-212 Rinder The Rinder is a twin engine turbo-propeller driven tactical transport designed by the Hanoverian company of Braun Flugzeugwerke. The Rinder is a sturdy all-weather transport aircraft that has largely replaced the ubiquitous Loadmaster III transport in Luftwaffe service. Designed specifically to suite the Luftwaffe’s tactical transport needs, the Rinder can transport a company of fully armed troops and their equipment or a few light vehicles to rudimentary air strips over distances of 3,000km. Braun Flugzeugwerke received a huge boost to its reputation when the Luftwaffe chose the Rinder as its new mid-range STOL transport aircraft in 2295, and the Rinder is also produced under licence by the aeronautical division of the giant Krupp industrial concern. Over 400 Rinder’s have been churned out for the Luftwaffe and a dozen other air forces. Bf-212 Rinder Nationality: Germany Manufacturer: Braun Flugzeugwerke, Krupp Type: Medium-Lift STOL Transport Aircraft Year in Service: 2294 In Service: Germany, Austrovenia, Czech Republic, Hungary, Indonesia, Italy, Netherlands, Scandinavian Union, Spain, Switzerland, Texas, Turkey, UAR Crew: Pilot (+2), 120 combat loaded troops Weight: 65 Tonnes (Empty) Armour: All faces 1 Armament: N/A Evasion: 14 Sensor Range: 100km Signature: +2 Cargo: 42 Tonnes Max Speed: 650kph Cruising Speed: 400kph Combat Movement: 2,400m Endurance: 4 hours Price: Lv1,950,000 Cr-2 Libelle The Cronauer built Libelle is a VTOL aircraft that was built for Hanover in the 2280’s. At the time the Libelle attracted some interest for its abilities, but was largely overlooked by other air forces including the Armée de l'Air, who were more interested in conventional combat aircraft. At the time many critics felt that the Libelle performed the same role as tilt-fan or X-wing gunships but lacked the troop carrying ability that many gunships offered, and it was thought that conventional fighters could do the same job. However the Libelle’s capabilities were fully demonstrated during the WoGR. Packing a fearsome punch from its 30mm auto-cannon and ordinance package, and capable of flying at high speeds at very low altitudes, the Libelle proved a nasty shock for French forces during the WoGR. The Libelle has proven to be a potent weapon in the Luftwaffe’s arsenal and its low cost and maintenance has made it easy to mass produce. Due to its reputation the aircraft has sold well internationally, and some were sold from Luftwaffe stocks in the late 2290’s. The current Libelle G model has superior performance and sensor suite to export models.
Cr-2 Libelle Nationality: Germany Manufacturer: Cronauer Type: Ground Attack VTOL Aircraft Year in Service: 2283 In Service: Germany, Flanders, Netherlands, Scandinavian Union, Spain, Turkey. Crew: Pilot Weight: 8 Tonnes Armour: All faces 5 Armament: 30mm AC Hardpoints: 4x 500kg Evasion: 16 Sensor Range: 100km Signature: +2 Cargo: N/A Max Speed: 750kph Cruising Speed: 400kph Combat Movement: 900m Endurance: 2.5 hours Price: Lv1,750,000 Cr-40 Nachtteufel The Cr-40 Nachtteufel is Germany’s latest airborne surveillance and electronic warfare drone. The UCAV supplements the Luftwaffe’s fleet of manned Storch AEW aircraft. Nachtteufel’s are deployed as semi-permanent airborne pickets at medium-to-high altitudes above Germany’s border regions, to give a continuous airborne early warning and surveillance capability. The Nachtteufel has now supplanted the veteran An-83 Roggenhund drone in Luftwaffe service. Cr-40 Nachtteufel Nationality: Germany Manufacturer: Cronauer Type: Surveillance & AEW Drone Year in Service: 2294 In Service: Germany, German Colonies Crew: N/A Weight: 4 Tonnes Armour: All faces 4 Armament: N/A Hardpoints: 2x 500kg, 2x 250kg Evasion: 17 Sensor Range: 750km Signature: -2 Cargo: N/A Max Speed: 1,500kph Cruising Speed: 650kph Combat Movement: 3,000m Endurance: 3 hours (4 hours with 2x 500L drop tanks) Price: Lv2,130,000 Cr-50 Wirbelsturm The Cronauer Cr-50 Wirbelsturm is a new air combat UCAV that has replaced a number of obsolete drones of Bavarian and French origin in Luftwaffe service. The Wirbelsturm was designed to intercept aircraft at low and medium altitudes, and the drone’s high acceleration and manoeuvrability enables it to rapidly close on targets and avoid pursuit. Although the Wirbelsturm was primarily designed as a fighter aircraft, it is quite capable of being used in the ground attack and strike role, and the aircraft’s versatility and reliability is highly valued by the Luftwaffe. The Wirbelsturm is mainly deployed along Germany’s frontiers, particular the highly sensitive Franco-German border region. Cr-50 Wirbelsturm Nationality: Germany Manufacturer: Cronauer Type: Fighter Drone Year in Service: 2296 In Service: Germany, German Colonies, Scandinavian Union Crew: N/A Weight: 4 Tonnes Armour: All faces 2 Armament: Integral laser system Hardpoints: 2x 500kg, 4x 150kg , or 4x 250kg, 4x 150kg Evasion: 19 Sensor Range: 100km Signature: -2 Cargo: N/A Max Speed: 2,800kph Cruising Speed: 750kph Combat Movement: 1,500m Endurance: 2 hours (3 hours with 2x 500L drop tanks) Price: Lv1,830,000 Df-221 Storch The Df-221 Storch is a derivative of the commercial Krupp Kr-220 regional passenger airliner. Deutsche Flugzeugbau a former Krupp subsidiary which specialises in converting civil aircraft for military use, won the Luftwaffe contract for a new multipurpose aircraft due to its practical and cost effective approach to the Luftwaffe’s requirements. Variations of the Storch are centred on the aircraft’s fuselage, which is built in a modular form to suit its particular specification. Externally all Storch have a similar appearance, although the AEW model has an enclosed Werner-Ziehl rotating radar dome on the roof which gives a slight hump appearance to the aircraft. The Luftwaffe uses four variants of the Storch for transport, tanker, AEW and EW roles, although a maritime patrol version is also used by other countries. Df-221 Storch Nationality: Germany Manufacturer: Deutsche Flugzeugbau Type: Commercial Passenger Aircraft/Multi Purpose Aircraft Year in Service: 2291 In Service: Germany, German Colonies, Bengal, Flanders, Indonesia, Netherlands, Pakistan, Scandinavian Union, Spain, Sri Lanka, Switzerland Crew: Pilot (+2), WSO (+2) Weight: 31 Tonnes (Empty) Armour: All faces 4 Armament: N/A Hardpoints: 4x 500kg Evasion: 14 Sensor Range: 250km (1,000km in AEW mode) Signature: +2 Cargo: 20 Tonnes Max Speed: 1,000kph Cruising Speed: 400kph Combat Movement: 2,400m Endurance: 4 hours (6 hours with 4x 500L drop tanks) Price: Lv3,300,000-6,500,000 Fk-12 Summenvogel The Fk-12 Summenvogel is a new German military tilt-rotor aircraft designed for tactical transport duties. It’s mainly used by the Heeresfliegertruppe as a utility transport, were it supplements the smaller and older Neumann Ne-77 Marder. German Army versions are fitted with a number of hard points on their wings, and can be quickly converted to gunships if necessary. Luftwaffe versions don’t have this feature, but they are better furnished and have superior radar and communications systems and are used for liaison and general utility duties. Fk-12 Summenvogel Nationality: Germany Manufacturer: Fuch-Kramer Type: Tiltrotor Utility Transport Year in Service: 2298 In Service: Germany, Austrovenia, Flanders, Netherlands, Switzerland Crew: Pilot Weight: 8 Tonnes Armour: All faces 4 Armament: N/A Hardpoints: N/A Evasion: 13 Sensor Range: 1000km Signature: 2 Cargo: 2 Tonnes Max Speed: 600kph Cruising Speed: 400kph Combat Movement: 1,300m Endurance: 2.5 hours Price: Lv2,600,000 Ks-10 Grendel The Grendel is a new German combat UCAV designed by the Nibelungen aerospace firm of Kaminski-Steyn. The aircraft was designed for ground attack duties in intensive and restrictive air combat zones such as in Western Europe. The introduction of the Grendel is intended to compliment Luftwaffe’s Cr-50 Wirbelsturm drone squadrons and allow the Wirbelsturm to focus on interception roles. The Grendel is slower and less agile than the Wirbelsturm, but has heavier armour protection and can carry a larger ordinance package. Ks-10 Grendel Nationality: Germany Manufacturer: Kaminski-Steyn Type: Combat Drone Year in Service: 2299 In Service: Germany Crew: N/A Weight: 5 Tonnes Armour: All faces 2 Armament: 25mm AC Hardpoints: 2x 500kg, 4x 150kg , or 4x 250kg, 4x 150kg Evasion: 17 Sensor Range: 150km Signature: -2 Cargo: N/A Max Speed: 2,400kph Cruising Speed: 700kph Combat Movement: 1,500m Endurance: 2 hours (3 hours with 2x 500L drop tanks) Price: Lv 450,000 Ne-77 Marder The Marder is a derivative of the Neumann Wiesel
tiltrotor gunship, with a stretched fuselage to incorporate a small
troop bay behind the cockpit. The troop bay can accommodate six
personnel, and the aircraft is used for light transport duties. In
German service the Marder is now mainly used by the German Army’s Heeresfliegertruppe, as the larger Summenvogel
has completely replaced it in Luftwaffe service on Earth, but many are
still used by the German colonial wings as a utility transport. Ne-77 Marder Nationality: Bavaria/Germany Manufacturer: Neumann Type: Tiltrotor Light Utility Transport Year in Service: 2272 In Service: Germany, German Colonies, Austrovenia, Flanders, Freihaven, Heidelscheimat, Netherlands, Switzerland, Venezuela Crew: Pilot Weight: 6.5 Tonnes Armour: All faces 4 Armament: N/A Hardpoints: N/A Evasion: 12 Sensor Range: 100km Signature: 2 Cargo: 1 Tonnes Max Speed: 650kph Cruising Speed: 450kph Combat Movement: 1,300m Endurance: 2.5 hours Price: Lv2,000,000 Republic Aerospace Loadmaster III The Loadmaster III is an older American designed twin engine turbo-propeller driven tactical transport aircraft that dates from the 2280’s. The Loadmaster III remains in widespread frontline use worldwide, and has been licensed produced in a number of countries. Popular among the pre-unification German state air forces, the Loadmaster is now being slowly replaced by the new German built Rinder, but many remain in Luftwaffe service. Loadmaster III Nationality: America Manufacturer: Republic Aerospace, license built in Australia, Brazil and Japan Type: Medium-Lift STOL Transport Aircraft Year in Service: 2280 In Service: America, Australia, Azania, Brazil, Canada, Friehaven, Germany, German Colonies, Japan, Nigeria, Scandinavian Union, Spain, Tanzania, Texas Crew: Pilot (+2), 100 combat loaded troops Weight: 56 Tonnes (Empty) Armour: All faces 1 Armament: N/A Evasion: 13 Sensor Range: 100km Signature: +2 Cargo: 35 Tonnes Max Speed: 600kph Cruising Speed: 400kph Combat Movement: 2,300m Endurance: 4 hours Price: Lv1,250,000 Sh-11 Scheide The Schempp-Hofmann Sh-11 Scheide is a multi-role fighter of CAW vintage. The Scheide was designed in Bavaria in the 2270’s, and was widely used by many German and European forces before the WoGR. During the war, the Scheide was the Luftwaffe’s most numerous fighter aircraft, and gave a good account against the Armée de l'Air. But it also bore the brunt of the air defence of Germany in the early part of the war and incurred very heavy losses. Although considered a good fighter aircraft before the WoGr, the Scheide is now nearing the end of its operational life. The current Luftwaffe version is the Sh-11G which is being replaced by the Sabel fighter, but the aircraft remains in widespread service with other many nations and the German colonies. Sh-11 Scheide Nationality: Bavaria/Germany Manufacturer: Schempp-Hofmann Type: Multi-Role Fighter Year in Service: 2279 In Service: Germany, German Colonies, Brazil, Friehaven, Flanders, Hungary, Netherlands, Switzerland, Turkey, UAR Crew: Pilot Weight: 8 Tonnes Armour: All faces 3 Armament: 25mm AC Hardpoints: 6x 150kg Evasion: 15 Sensor Range: 250km Signature: -2 Cargo: N/A Max Speed: 2,300kph Cruising Speed: 1,300kph Combat Movement: 3,000m Endurance: 2 hours Price: Lv1,700,000 WD-3 Skyking The Skyking is a very large American heavy transport jet aircraft that has recently entered Luftwaffe service. Known as the C-3 in USAF service, the Skyking can transport very large quantities of military cargo over continental ranges at trans-sonic speeds, and is used by many air freight companies and by six air forces worldwide. The Luftwaffe purchased the Skyking to fill its strategic transport needs, as no German aerospace company actually builds aircraft in this size range. In Luftwaffe service it is known as the Himmelkönig and equips two Luftwaffe transport squadrons. WD-3 Skyking Nationality: America Manufacturer: Wright-Danbury Aeronautics Type: Heavy-Lift Transport Aircraft Year in Service: 2284 In Service: America, Australia, Brazil, Canada, Germany, Japan Crew: Pilot (+3), 360 combat loaded troops Weight: 142 Tonnes (Empty) Armour: All faces 1 Armament: None Evasion: 14 Sensor Range: 100km Signature: +3 Cargo: 130 Tonnes Max Speed: 650kph Cruising Speed: 400kph Combat Movement: 3,200m Endurance: 5 hours Price: Lv4,500,000 21 Dec 2010, copyright Sean Nolan
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