Coalition launches Libya attacks

Operation "Odyssey Dawn"
US missile strikes on Libya

Obama OKs missile strikes on Libya

AAP March 20, 2011

President Barack Obama approved US missile strikes on Libya, warning a defiant Muammar Gaddafi that "actions have consequences" but stressing no US ground troops would deploy to the North African nation.

"Today, I authorised the armed forces of the United States to begin a limited military action in Libya," said Obama.

Pentagon officials said US and British warships and submarines fired 110 Tomahawk cruise missiles at Libya's air defence systems in "Operation Dawn," the first phase of military action against Libya to impose a UN-mandated no-fly zone.

"We must be clear: actions have consequences, and the writ of the international community must be enforced," Obama told reporters while on an official visit to Brazil.

Gaddafi had defiantly warned France, Britain and the United States that they will regret interfering in his country's affairs, following a UN resolution that allowed the use of force to protect civilians from advancing pro-Gaddafi forces.

The US president stressed, however, that the operation would not expand into US boots on the ground in Libya.

"As I said yesterday, we will not - I repeat - we will not deploy any US troops on the ground," Obama said.

The Pentagon said the barrage of Tomahawk cruise missiles struck more than 20 targets, including surface-to-air sites, early warning sites, and communications facilities.

The first missile struck at 1900 GMT following air strikes carried out earlier by French warplanes.

"I want the American people to know that the use of force is not our first choice, and it's not a choice that I make lightly," Obama said.

"But we cannot stand idly by when a tyrant tells his people that there will be no mercy, and when his forces step up their assault on cities like Benghazi and Misrata where innocent men and women face brutality and death at the hands of their own government."

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A joint operation to enforce a UN-backed no-fly zone over Libya has begun. Here we look at some of the British and French fighter jets and reconnaissance aircraft likely to be involved.

UK AIRCRAFT

Typhoon - Eurofighter


Typhoon

* Crew: 1
* Speed: 2 Mach
* Weapons: Air-to-air missiles (AMRAAM, ASRAAM),Brimstone, Enhanced Paveway, Paveway IV

The RAF's Typhoon, or Eurofighter, is an agile aircraft which could be used in air-to-air combat if the Libyan airforce tries to get airborne.

Typhoons were built to criteria set by the UK, Spain, Germany and Italy to replace the Tornado fighter. It boasts stealth technology and weapons systems include medium and short-range air-to-air missiles and various air-to-ground weapons.

The Typhoon entered service with the RAF in 2003, primarily based at RAF Coningsby in Lincolnshire and RAF Leuchars in Scotland. It has also been operational in the Falkland Islands since September 2009.

Tornado


Tornado GR4

* Crew: 2
* Max speed: 1.3 Mach
* Weapons: Storm Shadow, Brimstone, ALARM, AIM-9 Sidewinder, Paveway II, Paveway III, Enhanced Paveway, General Purpose Bombs, Mauser 27mm cannon
* Source: RAF

The Tornado has been one of the mainstays of the RAF since first entering service in 1980 and the aircraft were used to enforce no-fly zones in Iraq.

It is mainly used as a strike or attack aircraft and could have a key role in taking out Libyan surface-to-air missile systems.

Weapons such as the Storm Shadow cruise missile mean that the Tornado can hit targets from a significant distance. The MOD describes the missile as being designed for "long range, highly accurate, deep penetration" against enemy command and control bunkers. It is fired from a Tornado GR4.

Tornado GR4s are also equipped with Brimstone missiles, an effective anti-armour weapon and can also be used for all-weather, day and night tactical reconnaissance.

Nimrod


Nimrod R1

* Crew: 29
* Speed: 360 knots

Nimrod R1 reconnaissance aircraft, derivative of the maritime patrol version, are expected to be involved in surveillance operations.

The suite of monitoring systems are used for reconnaissance and gathering electronic intelligence. It can sit over an area, flying at low speeds for long periods - which can be extended by mid-air refuelling.

The Nimrod R1s are operated by No 51 Squadron, from RAF Waddington.

Sentinel


Sentinel R1

* Crew: 5
* Speed: 0.89 Mach
* Systems: Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) and Ground Moving Target Indicator (GMTI)

The Sentinel R1 aircraft, used in intelligence operations in Afghanistan, is also expected to be used in any Libya mission.

It is part of the Sentinel system which is made up of air, land and support segments.

The aircraft are converted Bombardier Global Express aircraft which are fitted with radar and monitoring systems which can be used to track and target enemy ground forces.

The reconnaissance aircraft is scheduled to be scrapped after the UK withdraws its forces from Afghanistan.

FRENCH AIRCRAFT

France is clearly one of the key players in this crisis.

In diplomatic terms it has been one of the main promoters of UN Security Council resolution 1973 allowing the use of force. French aircraft, thought to be Rafale fighters, according to reports from Paris, have been the first to operate over Libya ensuring, according to French President Nicolas Sarkozy, that Libyan government aircraft cannot operate over the Benghazi.

Dassault Rafale


Dassault Rafale

Crew: 1/2
Speech: 1.8 Mach
Weapons: Air-to-ground missile, including Apache and Exocet, air-to-air missiles and anti-ship missiles

The Dassault Rafale is a multi-role, twin-engined delta wing aircraft capable of mounting air defence, ground attack, and reconnaissance missions.

It is operated by the French Air Force and a variant of the plane is the mainstay of the French Navy, operating from the carrier Charles de Gaulle.

The Rafale carries a sophisticated electronic survival system named Spectra. It can detect and track up to eight targets simultaneously and generate 3D maps for navigation and targeting.

Mirage 2000


Mirage 2000

Crew: 1/2
Speed: 2.2 Mach
Weapons: built-in twin DEFA 554 30mm revolver-type cannons. Air-to-air missiles

Again a multi-role fighter, the descendant of the famous Mirage III of the 1960s. Entered service in 1982 but some were extensively modernised in the late 1980s to fill a gap until the Rafale entered service. There is also a strike version of the aircraft, the Mirage 2000D.

Mirage F1

This is an older model from the Mirage stable, the first aircraft entering service in 1983. While there are several variants, the most important in current front-line service is the Mirage F1CR which is a highly specialised reconnaissance platform carrying cameras, and optical and electronic sensors.

F-18 Hornet


F-18 Hornet

Crew: 1/2
Speed: 1.7 Mach
Weapons: Vulcan cannon. Four AIM-9M Sidewinders - supersonic, heat-seeking air-to-air missiles

The Canadian Air Force's front-line multi-role fighter used for air superiority and tactical support.

Canada has committed six Hornets to help enforce the no-fly zone. The Canadian jets were seen at Prestwick airport in Scotland on Saturday where they landed for a refuelling stop before heading towards the Mediterranean.

The aircraft is equipped with a sophisticated radar system that can track targets in all weather and from great distances. A Sniper Advanced Targeting pod, which contains an infra-red (heat-sensitive) camera and TV camera, allows pilots to see targets at night and in low visibility conditions.

The pod also has a laser designator to guide precision bombing, and a laser spot tracker. The newly acquired Joint Helmet Mounted Cueing System (JHMCS) allows the pilot to effectively designate targets anywhere around the aircraft.