Command Structure[]
The Imperial Byzantine Air Force is organized into 6 commands: Air Operations Command, Air Defence Command, Air Logistics Command, Air Reconnaissance Command, Strategic Bombing Command and Training Command.
The roles of the 6 commands are:
- Air Operations Command is charged with conducting Air Operations with Byzantine Air Space and outside in support of the Army or conducting far off strikes. As such, the aircraft under Air Operations Command are multi-role aircraft.
- Air Defence Command is charged with defending Byzantine Air Space and also against bomber attacks from foreign aggressors. As such, Air Defence Command operates vast numbers of interceptors for the expressed purpose of intercepting bombers.
- Air Logistics Command is charged with ensuring all squadrons and units are well supplied, and also facilitates expeditionary operations, providing the air tankers and air transports to supply the air wings. Air Logistics Command is also responsible for the maintenance and logistics in Air Force bases.
- Strategic Bombing Command is charged with operating the Empire's bombers to launch long range strikes against aggressors. They may be called upon to coordinate with the navy in conducting maritime strikes.
- Training Command is responsible with formulating doctrine, as well as training a new generation of recruits for the Air Force.
Squadron Organisation[]
In general, a flight consists of 4 aircraft. A squadron consists of 4 flights of aircraft. 1 air regiment consists of 3 squadrons. Each Air Regiment has its own air operations group and air logistics group. Note that only new squadrons will have 4 flights. Existing squadrons are likely to have only 3 flights but all future squadrons will consist of 16 aircraft in total.
Air Force Organisation[]
Imperial Byzantine Air Force Air Operations Command / Air Defence Command | |||||
Aircraft | Classification | Current Numbers | Projected Numbers | Squadron Organisation | Comments |
F-22B | Multi-role Fighter | 72 | 0 | 6 Squadrons (12 fighters each) | To be replaced with CF-01. To be Scrapped. |
CF-01 | Multi-role Fighter | 128 | 128 | 8 Squadrons (16 fighters each) | Tentative Projected Numbers |
CF-01M | Multi-role Fighter | 32 | 256 | 16 Squadrons (16 fighters each) | Tentative Projected Numbers |
MiG LFMS/LFI | Multi-Role Fighter | 48 | 192 | 12 Squadrons (16 fighters each) | Acquisition begins 2017. About 16-32 aircraft a year. All aircraft to be upgraded to LFMS status |
F-15F | Multi-Role Fighter | 144 | 0 | 12 Squadrons (12 fighters each) | All to be transferred to Army from 2016 |
Eurofighter Typhoon Tranche IV | Multi-role Fighter | 144 | 144 | 12 Squadrons (12 fighters each) | To be in service till 2030, to be transferred to the army. |
MiG-31TM | Interceptor | 288 | 288 | 24 Squadrons (12 fighters each) | Progressively upgraded to MiG-31TM standard |
MiG-31BM | Interceptor | 144 | 144 | 12 Squadrons (12 fighters each) | Placed in Reserve status |
Igla Hypersonic fighter | Multi-Role Interceptor | 16 | 384 | 24 Squadrons (16 fighters each) | Acquisition begins 2018. About 16-32 aircraft a year. |
A380AEW&C | Heavy Long Endurance AWACs and Command and Control Aircraft, doubles as ground radar aircraft | 72 | 72 | 9 squadrons (8 aircraft each) | 3 Squadrons on Reserve status |
A380AEW&C (VHF) | Heavy Long Endurance AWACs and Command and Control Aircraft | 36 | 36 | 9 squadrons (4 aircraft each) | Paired with A380AEW&C squadrons, VHF AESA radar. 3 squadrons on Reserve status. |
A350AEW&C | Medium Endurance AWACs and Command and Control Aircraft, doubles as ground radar aircraft | 28 | 48 | 6 squadrons (8 aircraft each) | |
A350AEW&C (VHF) | Medium Endurance AWACs and Command and Control Aircraft | 24 | 48 | 6 squadrons (4 aircraft each) | Paired with A350AEW&C squadrons, VHF AESA radar |
E-8 Joint STARS | Ground Radar Command and Control Aircraft | 0 | 0 | 1 squadron | Retired |
Imperial Byzantine Air Force Strategic Bombing Command | |||||
Aircraft | Classification | Current Numbers | Projected Numbers | Squadron Organisation | Comments |
Tu-160BM | Heavy Long Range Bomber | 192 | 192 | 12 Squadrons (16 Aircraft Each) | Byzantine Variant. 3 squadrons are placed on reserve. Note that in each squadron, 2 are tasked as EW. |
Tu-22BM | Strategic Bomber | 192 | 192 | 12 Squadrons (16 Aircraft each) | Byzantine Variant, to be slowly phased out in favour of T-4MS and CFB-1. Half to be deactivated at the end of 2017. Note that in each squadron, 2 are tasked as EW |
T-4MS | Heavy Supersonic Long Range Bomber | 64 | 144 | 6 Squadrons (16 Aircraft each) | Procurement rate 16 a year. |
CFB-1 | Medium Stealth Strategic Bomber | 64 | 144 | 6 Squadrons (16 fighters each) | Estimated completion of procurement: 2020. Note that Army Aviation operates its own CFB-1. |
MiG SKAT | Stealth Unmanned Combat Aviation Vehicle | 64 | 96 | 5 Squadrons (16 UCAVs each) | Final production number not confirmed. Used for Reconnaissance missions as well. |
Imperial Byzantine Air Force Logistics | |||||
Aircraft | Classification | Current Numbers | Projected Numbers | Squadron Organisation | Comments |
C-17B | Strategic Air Transport | 36 | 36 | 3 Squadrons (12 aircraft each) | |
A400M | Tactical Air Transport | 48 | 48 | 4 Squadrons (12 aircraft each) | |
C-130J | Tactical Air Transport | 56 | 56 | 4 Squadrons (14 aircraft each) | |
An-225 | Strategic Air Transport | 12 | 12 | 1 Squadron (12 aircraft each) | May make more purchases in the future |
An-124 | Strategic Air Transport | 56 | 56 | 4 Squadrons (14 aircraft each) | |
An-22 | Strategic Air Transport | 48 | 48 | 4 squadrons (12 aircraft each) |