Stock picture of a SCUD missile launcher, at RAF Spadeadam.
The Scud is a Russian designed surface to surface missile. With a range of approximately 300km carrying a 5,900kg warhead. Initially it entered service in 1962. Since then thousands have been built in Russia and abroad with large numbers being used in Afghanistan, the Gulf and various other conflicts.
The Scud at Spadeadam is utilised for Time Sensitive Targeting (TST). This involves the Scud and its convoy of command vehicles being positioned at one of several nominated locations around the base. The Scud can then be set up in various configurations such as loading, launching or in a hide. It is then the task of the aircrew to find the site and identify it whilst they are airborne.
The operations in Iraq and Afghanistan proved that Time Sensitive Targeting (TST) is essential in contemporary warfare. In simple terms, TST is to find, track and destroy a target that can move around, such as a vehicle or a person. RAF Spadeadam provides mobile targets ranging from large vehicles such as missile launchers to smaller targets such as individuals or groups of pink bodies! The TST training can be made as easy or difficult as the aircrew need by, for example, using camouflage and concealment techniques.
RAF Spadeadam is the only facility in Europe, where aircrews can practise manoeuvres and tactics, against a variety of threats that they face in contemporary warfare. This fascinating facility attracts aircraft from the RAF, Army, Navy and NATO Forces. The survival of aircrews and the soldiers on the ground who depend on their air support, are affected by the training provided by RAF Spadeadam.
United Kingdom Royal Air Force aircraft put several military targets out of the reach of pro-Gaddafi forces in Libya this week, including Scud missile launchers and a military command and control site.
Early on Tuesday morning, RAF Tornado and Typhoon aircraft used Paveway bombs to destroy a military command and control site which NATO surveillance had successfully identified near Bani Walid. During the afternoon, an armed reconnaissance patrol over Hun was tasked by NATO to attack a mobile radar system which had been located in the area; the vehicle was destroyed.
Further patrols continued at Bani Walid, in the course of which RAF aircraft spotted three heavily camouflaged Scud missile launchers deployed just to the east of the town, well within potential range of all the coastal cities from Tripoli to Misurata. Paveway guided bombs destroyed all three.
While HMS Liverpool remains on patrol off Tripoli, protecting humanitarian shipping movements into the port, HMS Ocean is undergoing a short period of planned maintenance. This has been co-ordinated with NATO and operations are not affected.