Nuvanian Air Force

Nuvanian Air Force
Nuwanse Lugmag
Active	February 8, 1919
Branch	Air Force
Size	16,176 active personnel 2,149 reserve personnel
March	Aces High
Commanders
Commander in Chief	S.P van Heerdens
Minister of Defence	Petrus Haasbroek
Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces	Major General Johannes van Helden
Chief of Staff of the Air Force	Air Marshal Roy Irving
Aircraft flown
Attack	Lyhoming FTB.337G Bobcat
Electronic warfare	Candreva R-99
Fighter	Mirage 2000
Utility helicopter	Euclocopter ES350 Écureuil Hyland HY500 Hyland HY500M
Reconnaissance	Maccari M.3C Taruka Vertron Dynamics Condor Vertron Dynamics Ranger
Trainer	CAC CT-2 Ace EA Hawk Mk.120 Pierce Super King Air 300 RUI T-5
Transport	Aereturia C-27J BBJ C-130H CAP C-212 CFW CF-12 Considine CA226AT Merlin Euclobus E400M Pierce Super King Air 200C
Tanker	KC-767
CAC C-4M

The Nuvanian Air Force (Asteriaans: Nuwanse Lugmag), known by the acronym NAF is the air warfare branch of the Nuvanian Armed Forces. It was founded on February 8, 1919 and is headquartered in Pietersburg. The Air Force is primarily used to maintain Nuvania's airspace and territorial integrity, as well as assist both domestically and internationally in conflicts and humanitarian distasters.

The Air Force has served in the Great War, and has participated in internal conflicts in neighbouring Aucuria, Belmonte, and Satavia. Alongside the Army, the Air Force was one of the pioneers of close air support for infantry and mechanised formations, as well as counter-insurgency tactics and operational doctrine. In recent years, the Air Force has also participated in relief efforts in response to natural disasters domestically and internationally.

Approximately 14,146 personnel currently serve in the Air Force, making it the second largest branch of the military behind the Army. It currently operates a total of 349 aircraft and 161 helicopters, making it one of the larger air forces in Asteria Inferior.

History

Foundation

The Nuvanian Air Force was founded on Feburary 8, 1919 by decree from the State President, creating a third branch of the armed forces for aerial warfare. The government immediately set about procuring aircraft for the new branch, and by the end of the year, the first of the new aircraft had been shipped and assembled in Nuvania. The government sent officers and pilots for training in Estmere while the aircraft were shipped to Nuvania and assembled.

The first aircraft in service with the NAF was the Avro 504K training aircraft, the first of which arrived in June. These were followed up by Airco DH.4 and DH.9 bomber aircraft in August and September, and the first Royal Aircraft Factory S.E.5a fighter aircraft in December. A Junkers W33 was added to the NAF in February 1920 and used to transport officials around the country. More aircraft followed in smaller numbers; three Caudron G.3 reconnaissance aircraft and the same number of G.4 bombers were added in 1921, alongside four Nieuport 17 fighters, these being gifts from the functionalist regime in Gaullica. By 1925, the NAF could field 84 aircraft, most of which were deployed in the north of the country.

The Volksfront regime began a major build prior to the outbreak of the Great War, investing in new aircraft as well as domestic production. Among those produced domestically was the Amiot 120, of which over 420 were built during the course of the conflict. Another 69 Hawker Hartebeest I were built from licenced plans acquired before the war began, the first examples entering service just days before the outbreak of the war.

Post War

The NAF was officially disbanded on January 1, 1935 once Eldmarker, Estmerish, and Rizealander forces had arrived in Nuvania and established control. This was followed by the negotiation and signing of the Treaty of San Pietro on December 1, 1934, which formally finalised Nuvania's unconditional surrender and set about the process for disbanding the armed forces, including the NAF.

One of the aspects of the negotiations with Nuvania was the strength of its armed forces. For its part, the NAF had played one of the smaller roles during the Great War and failed to meet parity with the coalition air forces throughout the conflict. This gave peace negotiations significant delays in terms of reaching a final agreement with Nuvania, as Eldmark and Rizealand did not regard the NAF as a considerable threat, while Aucuria and Belmonte demanded greater restrictions on the NAF's capacity to conduct offensive operations. The Rizealander delegation stated that the country's position was entirely about removing all traces of functionalism from the Nuvanian Armed Forces, and as such, cared little about potential operational capacity in a post-war world. Eldmark cared even less about it, and adopted a similar position to Rizealand, as Eldmark had not been significantly threatened by Nuvanian air operations. Aucuria and Belmonte, who had suffered the most from Nuvanian air raids and air strikes, demanded a reduction in offensive capacity, including limiting the number of fighter and bomber aircraft available to a future air force.

As the negotiations were taking place, the occupation authorities in Nuvania, known as the Allied Civil Government had begun the process of demobilising and processing the tens of thousands of military personnel who had surrendered, retaining those who had political ties or membership within the Volksfront. The NAF saw most of its commissioned officers purged during this process, and those that were cleared by the ACG were offered employment opportunities within the ACG to fly the remaining transport and utility aircraft used by the occupation government, as well as train new pilots. Substantial incentives, such as promotions, increased pay, and new housing were promised to pilots, many of whom where considering careers in civil aviation. This managed to retain a number of pilots, who flew directly for the ACG until the formation of the Civil Air Corps (CAC) in June 1936.

The CAC was created by the ACG primarily as a means of primary training for new pilots, both for the eventual reconstitution of the NAF and for civilian roles. It also served as the primary government flying service, both for government officials and for staff from different government departments needing access to rural areas. Few of the aircraft in service prior to the Great War remained in service; six of the original 20 Avro 616 Avian's survived and were retired soon after the CAC was established. In addition, all four Westland Wapiti utility aircraft had survived the war, and were placed into service with the CAC. Realising the need for new aircraft, both Estmere and Rizealand began providing the CAC with aircraft. Estmere provided Airspeed Envoy single engine light transport aircraft, and Avro 621 Tutor trainer aircraft, with Halland providing Consolidated P2Y-1C patrol flying boats, and Seversky SEV-3 single engine amphibious utility aircraft. The patrol aircraft were the first to be used in Nuvania, and would remain the only patrol aircraft in use until the late 1940's.

More aircraft were handed over to the CAC in 1937 with the arrival of more advanced Westland Wapiti models to augment and replace the ones already in service. In addition, more training aircraft arrived from Estmere, these fulfilling an order for 60 Avro 621 Tutors placed by the new civilian government in 1937.

Rebuilding

The Nuvanian Air Force was reconstitituted by the Armed Forces Act 1938 on January 18, 1939 and was the last of the three branches of the military to be reformed. Under the principles of Nuvania's surrender agreement, the Air Force was to primarily provide a support role for the remainder of the armed forces, including the Army and the Navy. It's offensive capabilities were stripped away, with only enough aircraft suited for defence and supporting roles. In particular, the Air Force provided training for both civilian and military pilots in the absence of civilian aviation schools in the immediate aftermath of the Great War.

With the focus on supporting roles came a new emphasis on disaster relief and humanitarian operations for the Air Force, partly as a way to reinforce the stated support role it provided and partly because of the way in which the CAC was structured. CAC aircraft had been used by the ACG to respond to natural disasters and to reestablish contact with, and provide essential medical and educational services to, remote communities around Nuvania. As such, the NAF significantly expanded its fleet of training, transport, and utility aircraft. Among the significant purchases made towards the end of the decade was the procurement of the first batch of de Havilland D.H.82 Tiger Moth single engine biplanes, of which 86 would eventually find their way into service with the NAF. These would serve alongside both the Boeing-Stearman Model 75, another biplane basic trainer, and the more modern North American NA-50. The Stearmans, of which 111 would see service between 1939 and 1978, were used for a variety of roles including acrobatic displays and, more commonly, on agricultural contracts. These three types alone largely replaced the myriad of training aircraft that were in service with the CAC and allowed for streamlined operations.

Beginning in 1939, the NAF clandestinely reconstituted a single squadron of fighter aircraft for self defence purposes. Initially purchased as scrap metal, the Nuvanians assembled six Gloster Gauntlet biplane fighter aircraft sourced from various surplus aircraft dealers in Euclea, with reassembly taking place in Constantia, which was located outside the range of most contemporary reconnaissance aircraft. The Gauntlets were given civil registrations, modified to carry an additional seat and controls, and were classified as training aircraft. They were initially de-armed, but could be rearmed with the .303 Vickers machine guns that were originally fitted to the aircraft. The Gauntlets were also joined by a single Gloster Gladiator I the same year and were relocated further to the east to Paardeburg where they were used to train future fighter pilots. The Gauntlets were utilised until spare parts became unavailable, and were retired in 1943. They were replaced progressively from 1940 by 30 Gloster Gladiator II single engine biplane fighters, who were acquired in the same clandestine manner as the Gaunlets and the Gladiator I. These were also based at Paardeburg and given civilian registrations and were ostensibly used as agricultural sprayers but could be quickly converted back to fighters, carrying two .303 medium machine guns.

Twelve Taylorcraft Auster observation aircraft were acquired in 1945 from Estmere and were used in both liaison and observation roles, particularly with the Border Force operations in eastern and southeastern Nuvania. They were assigned to 31 Squadron which was formed in December 1944 in preparation for the reception of the new aircraft, with the aircraft split between patrol duties based at NAF Paardeburg and NAF Boermond.

First restructure

The NAF underwent its first major restructure program between 1953 and 1957. These were initially begun by Air Marshal Philip Musgrave, who wanted to reduce the number of active squadrons owing to the size of Nuvania's aircraft fleet and the mounting costs involved in maintaining the aircraft in active service. Musgrave believed that it would improve the overall effectiveness of the NAF and reduce costs involved with personnel and maintenance, allowing for the greater evolution and development of other branches within the NAF. This primarily involved the creation of the Territorial Air Force, where a large number of active aircraft, squadrons, and personnel, were transferred. Many personnel were retained on a part time basis, prompting a large number of resignations from those who wanted to be transferred to permanent roles. This tension created within the NAF resulted in Musgrave being dismissed by State President A.B van Rooyen on the advice of Chief Minister Charles Wakefield. Musgrave was replaced as Air Marshal by Walter Fitzgerald.

Despite the differences involved, many of the original reforms were implemented. This included the expansion of Nuvania's frontline fighter capacity, with the arrival of it's first jet fighter aircraft in 1956, and a major expansion of it's fighter aircraft capabilities in 1953. The Army Air Corps was gradually created between 1953 and 1957 with the transferral of personnel and equipment in squadrons operating some observation and training aircraft, and later, various utility and training aircraft. Bases and facilities that were operated exclusively by the NAF were transferred to joint facilities, with new AAC aircraft and personnel serving alongside those of the NAF. These reforms were largely completed by 1957.

Counter insurgency

Following the coup lead by Albertas Kalvaitis in Aucuria in 1949, the NAF began operating in eastern Nuvania in support of the Border Force, a force created by the van Vollenhoven government to patrol Nuvania's remote and extensive border with Aucuria in light of the insurgency. Initially the NAF provided direct support to the Border Force, with aircraft utilised in a range of operations from liasion to observation to the transport of Border Force personnel. Most of the aircraft involved were largely unarmed and in a supporting role, including the NAF's first helicopter, the Sikorsky S-51, which was used extensively in a variety of missions and operations along the eastern border from 1950 until the type was retired from service in 1968. These were joined by other light and medium helicopters which would form the backbone of Border Force operations until they were superseded by Army personnel from 1965 onwards.

In addition to helicopters, the NAF provided a number of transport aircraft for operations and missions to move personnel, equipment, and supplies from established bases to forwards operation bases close to the Aucurian and Belmontese borders, where the Nuvanian Army operated in support of their Aucuria and Belmontese counterparts during insurgencies and conflicts in both countries. NAF attack and strike aircraft also occasionally performed ground support operations against rebels in border regions, more so in eastern Nuvania than in areas near the Belmontese border. These were initially performed by pre-Solarian War era Northrop A-17 Nomad, of which 87 would be procured between 1951 and 1955, and were modified with new engines and hardpoints for different munitions. They would see service during the initial counter-insurgency period before being replaced by more modern strike aircraft from the 1960's and 1970's, these being Hawker Hunter and Aermacchi MB-326.

The use of helicopters became prolific during the NAF's supporting role in Nuvania's counter-insurgency operations, particularly in the 1960's and 1970's. Bell OH-13 Sioux and Hiller OH-23 Raven light helicopters were used for spotting movements of insurgents as well as for medical evacuation of combat casualties. NAF helicopter pilots were trained in Rizealand on how to perform medical evacuation missions between 1959 and 1964, before training was done by the NAF at the National Air Force Academy at NAF Oosteplaas from 1964 onwards. The Sioux and Ravens were steadily replaced in both observation and medical evacuation roles from 1964 with the arrival of larger numbers of Aerospatiale Alouette III light helicopters. The Alouette, alongside the ES330 Raven, would become iconic through the late 1970's and into the 1980's as Nuvania's own insurgency began to intensify. The NAF's presence in Nuvania's eastern border regions would wind down throughout the late 1980's, with the NAF ceasing counter-insurgency operations in the region by 1995.

Second restructure

The 1989 general election brought with it the first change in government in 40 years, with the Democratic Action Party winning the election under the leadership of Keith Hawkins. Among the policies outlined in the party's 1989 election manifesto were substantial reforms to the Armed Forces in order to meet new operational demands and reduce unnecessary expenses. Hawkins instructed the Ministry of Defence to come up with a new defence white paper for the Armed Forces in July 1990 that would outline the reforms necessary to be completed by 1995 as well as additional purchases and equipment replacements. This was done over 18 months and in January 1993, the Defence 2000 White Paper was handed over to the government. Included within the white paper included the abolition of conscription and national service, as well as a reduction in size of the territorial forces.

The plan for the NAF under the white paper was substantially less than what had been planned for either the Army or the Navy and included broader reductions in the number of territorial units active owing to the abolition of national service. This would come alongside other changes, such as the disbanding of the NAF's bomber force, which was retired in 1991, and a number of other aircraft types would be retired throughout the 1990's. Air Marshal Adriaan van Dugteren presided over the reforms, which saw the Territorial Air Force essentially abolished and reformed as reserve supporting units. These squadrons, which operated mostly training aircraft, were disbanded progressively between 1992 and 1995, with the aircraft utilised by these squadrons placed into storage or scrapped entirely. Personnel were offered permanent roles in the NAF, and a few thousand extra personnel were placed into NAF service.

Outside of the reforming of the reserve personnel and other reforms, the NAF consolidated the number of aircraft types in active service and, under the Defence 2000 paper, began to reorganise. The introduction of unmanned drones in the late 1980's saw manned reconnaissance squadrons decrease from three to one, the remaining Dassault Mirage IIIR2Z aircraft were transferred into fighter squadrons and the number of AM.3's in service reduced down to a single squadron. The aircraft that were in service were replaced with UAV's. The Defence 2000 paper also outlined a transition towards multi-role aircraft with air combat and strike capabilities, with emphasis put towards guided munitions and stand-off weapons as a means of maintaining Nuvania's defensive and offensive capabilities. New aircraft to replace existing fighters and strike aircraft would be obtained, and combined would be able to provide a flexible response to different geostrategic developments within the Asterias. The Defence 2000 paper also sought to improve Nuvania's transport capabilities, including the replacement of older transport aircraft and the eventual acquisition of strategic airlift aircraft. The first of 25 newer C-130H multi-engine transport aircraft entered service in 1997, and the NAF had placed orders for over 40 new fighter aircraft in 1999.

In 2003, the NAF accepted the first of 49 Mirage 2000 multi-role aircraft into service. The type was selected on the basis of operational familiarity with the Mirage family of fighters and multi-role aircraft, the NAF having previously operated the Mirage III and at the time of the introduction, the Mirage F.1.

Structure

Budget

Of the $11.6 billion annual military budget spent by Nuvania, $3.3 billion is allocated to the NAF. This spending is predominantly spent on covering the expenses involved in maintaining the readiness of the NAF. Spending has remained steady since a major reduction following the 2005 recession in which the overall military budget was slashed by over half. The Marten government raised military spending, including that of the NAF, which allowed for older aircraft and weapons systems to be upgraded and replaced in the years since the recession.

Currently there are no plans to increase spending for the NAF substantially, although it receives the smallest allocation of defence spending of the three branches of the Nuvanian Armed Forces.

Air Bases

The NAF currently administers ten bases directly and a further six jointly with the Army to facilitate Army Air Corps operations. NAF Philipsbaai is also shared with the Nuvanian Navy, and serves as the primary maintenance and support base for the Navy's maritime patrol aircraft and helicopters. In addition, the NAF jointly maintains four training areas and weapons ranges with both the Army and the Navy, including the Mullersbaai Offshore Test Range, Nuvania's only open water missile and testing range.

All NAF bases and testing ranges are split between three commands: Northern Command, which covers Kanaän, Etten, and Rand; Central Command covering Albina, Demara, and Pomeronia, and Southern Command, which covers both Brabantia and Mahaika. These commands have their own command structures and are responsible for NAF and joint bases within their command areas. These commands are headquartered in Pietersburg, Constantia, and Niekerk respectively.

Equipment

Aircraft

Aircraft	Origin	Role	In service	Notes
Fighter aircraft
Mirage 2000	Gaullica	4th-generation multirole fighter	49	Entered service between 2004 and 2014. B and C variants in service.
Counter insurgency aircraft
Lyhoming FTB.337G Bobcat	Rizealand	Counter-insurgency aircraft	21	Entered service in 1976. Saw service in the Satavian Crisis. Used for close air support operations.
Reconnaissance Aircraft
Maccari M.3C Taruka	Etruria Nuvania	Light observation aircraft	12	40 aircraft delivered between 1973 and 1976. Used for coordination, observation, and liasion operations.
Vertron Dynamics Ranger	Nuvania	Tactical UAV	27	15 units purchased in 1985 and entered service in 1986. Twelve additional units purchased in 1989 and entered service in 1990.
Vertron Dynamics Condor	Nuvania	MALE UAV	15	Purchased in 2008 and delivered between 2012 and 2016.
AEWC aircraft
Candreva R-99	Etruria	Electronic warfare aircraft	2	Entered service in 2009 with 75 Squadron.
Training aircraft
RUI T-5	Etruria	Training aircraft	37	C, F, and W variants in service. 24 C and 16 W variants entered service in 1977, 17 C and 14 W varients remain in service. Eight F variants delivered in 1998, six remain in service. Used for basic flight and weapons training.
Pierce Super King Air 300	Rizealand	Twin engine light transport	1	Entered service in 1994 with 10 Squadron and attached to the Nuvanian Air Force Academy for multi-engine flight training.
CAC CT-2 Ace	Nuvania	Single engine primary trainer	65	Entered service in 1994. 12 aircraft in service with the Red Hawks aerobatics team.
EA Hawk Mk.120	Template:Country data Estmere	Advance trainer	37	Entered service in 2003.
Transport
CFW CF-12	Werania	Single engine executive transport	1	Entered service in 1994 with 21 Squadron
Pierce Super King Air 200C	Rizealand	Twin-engine executive transport	5	Entered service in 1981.
Considine CA226AT Merlin	Rizealand	Twin engine executive transport	7	Entered service in 1985.
BBJ	Template:Country data Estmere	Twin engine buisness jet	1	Entered service in 2006 with 21 Squadron.
Aereturia C-27J	Etruria	Twin engine light cargo aircraft	11	Entered service in 2011.
C-130H	Rizealand	Medium lift cargo aircraft	25	Entered service in 1997.
Euclobus E400M	Euclean Community	Heavy lift cargo aircraft	4	Entered service in 2010.
Utility aircraft
CAC C-4M	Nuvania	Light utility aircraft	20	40 aircraft delivered from 1974 onwards.
Utility aircraft
Euclocopter ES365N Dauphin	Gaullica	Light transport helicopter	1	Entered service in 1994 with 21 Squadron.
Spiering S-76B	Rizealand	Medium transport helicopter	2	Entered service in 1998 with 21 Squadron.
Hyland HY500	Rizealand	Light utility helicopter	17	Entered service in 1977. C and D variants in service. Used for liasion and observation operations.
Hyland HY500M	Rizealand	Light utility helicopter	2	Entered service in 1988.
Euclocopter ES350 Écureuil	Gaullica	Light utility helicopter	12	Entered service in 2010. Used for liasion and pilot training.

Weapons systems

Weapon	Origin	Type	Notes
Air-to-air missile
Vertron VM3E Dart-A	Nuvania	Short-range air-to-air missile	Entered service in 2015 and used on the 2000C.
Python	[[|]]	Short-range air-to-air missile	Entered service in 1989 and used on the 2000C.
IRIS-T	Werania	Short-range air-to-air missile	Entered service in 2010 and used on the 2000C.
Vertron VM3ER Dart-R	Nuvania	Beyond visual range air-to-air missile	Entered service in 1995 and used on the 2000C.
Air-to-surface missile
Nimrod	[[|]]	Long range anti-tank guided weapon	Entered service in 2015 and used on the 2000C.
Vertron VH3 Vulture	Nuvania	Air-launched cruise missile	Entered service in 2004 and used on the 2000C.
Guided munitions
Vertron VAR1 Flechette	Nuvania	Anti-radiation missile	Entered service in 1998. Used on the 2000C.
Vertron VGB3 Spear	Nuvania	Precision-guided bomb	Entered service in 2010. Used on the 2000C.
Vertron VGB13 Raptor	Nuvania	Precision-guided glide bomb	Entered service in 2016. Used on the 2000C.
Griffin LGB	[[|]]	Laser guided bomb	Entered service in 1994.
Unguided munitions
Miltron Hydra	Rizealand	70mm unguided air-to-surface rocket	Entered service in 1998. Used on the Lyhoming FTB.337G Bobcat COIN aircraft.
Matra RMSG	Gaullica	100mm unguided air-to-surface rocket	Entered service in 1990. Used on the Lyhoming FTB.337G Bobcat as well as on the CAC CT-2 Ace and the EA Hawk Mk.120 training aircraft.
Mark 82 bomb	Rizealand	Unguided general purpose bomb	Entered service in 1965.
Matra Durandal	Gaullica	Anti-runway penetration bomb	Entered service in 1982.