§ Mr. D. E. Thomasasked the Secretary of State for Defence whether regulations for minimum levels of low flying continue to apply during special exercises to take place in North-West Scotland and central Wales during the period 12 November to 21 December, and 7 to 25 January 1980.
§ Mr. PattieAs already announced, the pilots engaged in the Red Flag work-up training between 12 November to 21 December and 7 to 25 January will be required to fly rather lower than the minimum heights normally prescribed for low level training in the United Kingdom, but only over remote districts which are very sparsely populated.
§ Mr. D. E. Thomasasked the Secretary of State for Defence how many sorties will take place on average each day during the exercise periods; and if the exercises will include night time and/or weekend flying.
§ Mr. PattieIt is not possible to quote an average daily figure; the intensity of the "Red Flag" work-up training will depend on the weather. None of the sorties will be flown at night or during weekends.
§ Mr. D. E. Thomasasked the Secretary of State for Defence what altitude is 803W defined by the RAF as simulating flying below enemy radar cover and missile defences.
§ Mr. PattieIn war, pilots would have to fly at or below 100 feet, depending on the terrain and prevailing weather. In peacetime, training and special exercises flying is normally carried out at 250 feet or above as a compromise between realistic training and the need to minimise disturbance to the public, but it is necessary from time to time to exercise the capability of our strike and offensive support aircrews to fly at true operational heights against defences which simulate as closely as possible those which they would face in war.
§ Mr. D. E. Thomasasked the Secretary of State for Defence what inspectorate and surveillance procedures his Department has to ensure that during special exercises designed to test ability of aircrew to fly below enemy radar cover, the civilian population in exercise areas is not further endangered.
§ Mr. PattieSpecial measures are taken to control the low flying in exercises such as the "Red Flag" work-up training. The flying is confined to remote districts which are very sparsely populated. The aircraft carry special equipment to warn the pilots if they are in danger of descending below the minimum height specified for the sorties. The aircrew taking part are fully qualified operational crews. Other pilots training in the general area are required to fly well above the heights of aircraft engaged in "Red Flag" work-up training.
§ Mr. D. E. Thomasasked the Secretary of State for Defence if he will now undertake a full review of the strategic purposes of low-level military flying exercises overland; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. PattieRAF tactics are kept continuously under review and it remains our conclusion that flying at low level and high speed is the most effective means of penetrating the air and ground defences our aircrews would be likely to encounter in war on their way to and returning from their targets. Such tactics are very demanding on aircrew skills and require regular and realistic training overland to maintain the necessary professional804W standards. Such training must provide for both single aircraft and formation flying and for the mutual exercising of offensive and defensive forces.
The "Red Flag" and "Maple Flag" series of exercises which are held over uninhabited areas of North America provide an opportunity for such training under conditions which simulate as closely as possible those which our aircrews would encounter in war. The success of RAF aircrews in these exercises has been most encouraging and has confirmed the effectiveness of our day to day low level training over the United Kingdom and the specialised work up training necessarily undertaken prior to each exercise.
§ Mr. D. E. Thomasasked the Secretary of State for Defence what was the total amount of the gallonage of fuel consumed by military aircraft undertaking low-flying exercises during each year since 1974.
§ Mr. PattieMy Department does not maintain central records of the amounts of fuel actually consumed by RAF aircraft at particular altitudes and it would require disproportionate effort to collate this information in the form requested.
§ Mr. D. E. Thomasasked the Secretary of State for Defence what was the total number of sorties made by military aircraft on low-level training missions in each year since 1974.
§ Mr. PattieThe total number or military low level training sorties flown in the United Kingdom was:
1974 … 71,000 1975 … 78,000 1976 … 77,700 1977 … 76,000 1978 … 76,000 1979 (1 Jan. to 30 Sep.) … 77,000
§ Mr. D. E. Thomasasked the Secretary of State for Defence how many North Atlantic Treaty Organisation aircraft were involved in low-level flying exercises; and how many sorties took place.
§ Mr. PattieBetween January and September 1979, some 10,000 low-level sorties were flown over the United Kingdom by military aircraft belonging to our NATO Allies—including USAF aircraft based in 805W this country. It would require disproportionate effort to establish how many individual aircraft were involved.