Thai Gripens undertake Agile Combat Employment Training
The RTAF is looking at using more runways, including those available at civilian airports across the nation, in its own version of Agile Combat Employment. The focus is on improving the ability of fast jet fighters to take off and land on small runways, highways and roads, and not just traditional fast jet runways.
ACE aims to prove and practise the ability of Thailand’s multi-role fighters to use highways and roads as improvised runways. This will allow the air force to continue operations even if its primary air bases are attacked and damaged. Dispersal of aircraft to such improvised bases also complicates enemy targeting.
The Gripens deployed to Prachuap Khiri Khan to conduct short-take off and landing tests in advance of road strip tests scheduled for 25 February. The 5th Wing operates the STOL Fairchild AU-23A Peacemaker, and the base has asphalt runways of 3,280′ and 6,750′.
It has been reported that the chosen highway stretch for these forthcoming trials is less than 600 metres long. This should not prove too much of a challenge for the Gripen, which has been designed to be to take off and land on standard 16 metre width roads, on sections just 800 metres long. Saab and the Swedish Air Force have already demonstrated this capability many times, successfully landing a Gripen on a 500-metre stretch of road and taking off in just 400 metres, and rearming and refuelling the aircraft at the roadside with a tiny team of conscripts.
