The Italian Air Force, as part of the FIT exercises (Force Integration Training) to Scaglia 2020 curtains, has tested in recent days some of the valuable capabilities that allow you to extend the "operational arm" of the HH-101 helicopters, carrying out the air-launch of special containers of aviation fuel (in the circumstance using non-flammable liquids for exercise purposes). This is a further development of the FARP (Forward Arming and Refueling Point), a peculiar capacity in the Defense sector which - in addition to the possibility of refueling in flight - allows a high level of effectiveness in the conduct of Special Operations, Personnel Recovery, Search and Rescue (SAR) and to aid the civilian population, ensuring the availability of fuel even in isolated areas and in logistically complex contexts.
The activity, coordinated by SOATG (Special Operation Air Task Group) Of the 1ª air brigade special operations, deployed on the Grazzanise base (CE), took place at the Ampugnano airport (Siena) and involved aerial assets and personnel from various departments of the armed force.
The FARP system was launched by a C-27J aircraft of the 46th Air Brigade of Pisa with CDS mode (Cargo Delivery System), followed by the air-drop of the FARP operators from a C-130J aircraft with constrained technique (air-drop of personnel at low altitude using a bridle rope). Once on the ground, the operators were able to set up the system and quickly refuel an HH-101 helicopter within minutes.
The FARP capacity, attested to the 3rd flock of Villafranca (VR), dependent on the support service of the logistic command, essentially allows ground refueling of aerial assets even in isolated areas and in semi-permissive contexts, where it is impossible reach the refueling point with vehicles, as for example occurred during the rescue operations carried out following the earthquake that hit Central Italy. There are, among other things, different types of refueling possible: with engines off or on (cold / hot refueling), day or night using NVG systems (Night Vision Goggles), with pressure or gravity drop systems, in favor of a single set-up or multiple set-ups simultaneously. Another mode for ground refueling is ALARP (Air Landed Aircraft Refueling Point), which allows you to take fuel directly from the tanks of the C-130J aircraft, via SPRP (Single Point Refuel Panel) or by the RGR (Rapid Ground Refuel). Among other things, this system was also recently tested in the "Proof of Concept Expeditionary" exercise, which took place on the island of Pantelleria, as a demonstration of the refueling capacity of the F-35B aircraft (version short take-off and vertical landing STOVL - Short Take-Off and Vertical Landing) from austere bases.
It should be emphasized that the Italian Air Force is the only one in Italy, and among the very few air forces in the world, to have the in-flight refueling capacity ensured by the KC-130J "tanker" aircraft of the 46th Air Brigade in favor of the HH- helicopters. 101A Caesar Salad of the 15th wing, recently also assigned to the 9th wing. This in-flight refueling capacity, like the FARP system, usable in particular tactical conditions, ensures the Armed Force an additional operational capacity for projection of forces, also available for other components of the Defense.
