Will Laidlaw: Apache over Libya

HMD(Helmet Mounted Display). The HMD is a lens attached to the flying helmet and placed over the pilot’s right eye. All the information, both infrared and symbology, the pilot needs to fly and fight is projected into his right eye via the HMD, allowing him to get on with the task at hand without needing to search for information. Additionally, on the Apache the position of the pilot’s head is tracked, and therefore dynamic data can be presented via the HMD. For example, the position of the pilot’s head drives the IR turret around, capturing an image which is then fed into the pilot’s HMD in real time.

IR(Infrared). This senses the difference in temperature between objects and converts it into a video image. It requires no light and so works both in daylight and in complete darkness. Apache pilots fly using the video image from IR as well as using the FLIR for targeting. They are therefore able to fly and shoot in total darkness.

Jackspeak. Royal Navy slang.

JCHAT. The live text messaging system used by NATO. This delivers situational awareness across the operating area as users text their SITREPs for all to monitor, without the need for voice radio messages.

JTAC(Joint Terminal Attack Controller). A soldier, traditionally on the ground, who controls and orchestrates the airborne and artillery assets in his area of operations and directs them when and where to fire. The JTAC will normally be able to see the target, has a complete understanding of the rules of engagement and controls the airspace used in the strike. In Libya they were based in airborne maritime patrol aircraft.

Litening Pod. A precision targeting suite using infrared and laser fitted to a variety of fast jets.

Looker. In an Apache patrol the ‘looker’ observes while the ‘shooter’ engages a target. The looker relays information to the shooter to assist his wider situational awareness of the target area. The looker is also protection for the patrol, searching for threats while the shooter is focused on the target.

MANPADS(Man Portable Air Defence System). Shoulder-launcher missiles that use infrared technology to acquire and track the heat signature of their target. Libya had more MANPADS than any other nonmanufacturing country in the world.

MISREP(Mission Report). The MISREP is completed after each mission and details what was seen and what was done. It is used by NATO to collate and track mission information.

Mother. The ship. Home at sea for all aircraft.

MPD. Multi Purpose Display. The screens in the Apache cockpit where all aircraft, navigation, weapons, communications and tactical information are displayed.

NAAFI. (Navy, Army, Air Force Institution). The convenience store at military barracks.

NCO. Non-Commissioned Officer.

NEO(Non-Combatant Evacuation Operation). The military’s role in rescuing British nationals and entitled personnel from another country.

NGS. Naval Gunfire Support.

NVG(Night Vision Goggles). These use the very low levels of light from the moon, or ambient light reflected from cloud, to produce a green video image, allowing the operator to see in the dark. Apache crews use them as an aid to targeting in addition to IR. Pro-Gad had NVG too.

ORBAT(Order of Battle). The official list detailing each and every unit assigned to support an operation.

Parrots and India. Encrypted electronic codes that are transmitted by military aircrew to identify themselves to other friendly aircraft. Once an Apache launched from HMS Ocean the airborne command and control aircraft would interrogate this code to confirm the right aircraft was on the right mission.

Patch. The ‘married patch’, where Service families live in housing provided by the military.

Phalanx. A self-defence weapon mounted on the deck of a ship. Its radar finds and then tracks incoming munitions for the weapon to then engage, in the same way as any other radar-guided weapon system. In flying against the Phalanx radar we were able to hone our manoeuvring and defensive flight profiles against a targeting radar. It was also all we had to train with, and we only had one opportunity to try it.

PKM. A 7.62mm Russian-designed general-purpose machine gun. In service around the world since the 1960s, the PKM fires 800 rounds per minute and is accurate out to 1,500m.

Predator/Pred. A remotely piloted aircraft, also colloquially known as a drone. These have a laser designation system and are also armed with Hellfire. They have an extensive suite of radios and are also able to stream live video images.

Pro-Gad. Pro-Gaddafi. All forces loyal to the Gaddafi regime.

QBOs(Quick Battle Orders). When a commander needs to make a rapid plan of attack he uses QBOs. These will cover the essential components of the attack such as speed, height, heading and formation style. They rely heavily on a well-trained and competent patrol to intuitively fill in any information gaps.

QHI(Qualified Helicopter Instructor). Our helicopter experts, graded B2, B1, A2 and A1. B2 is the most junior qualification, A1 the most senior, B1 is the commonest. The jump from B1 to A2 is a tough exam. QHIs study for months to make the grade. The jump to A1 is herculean and very rarely achieved.

RF. Radar Frequency, a type of Hellfire. The Fire Control Radar (FCR) mounted on top of the aircraft finds a target. The pilot checks the target is suitable to shoot and gives the information to the RF missile. The missile acknowledges the target information and displays its readiness to launch via the weapons symbology. The pilot checks everything is ready and points his infrared sight at the target, if he can, so he can see it. When all is ready the pilot pulls the trigger, the RF comes off the rails and heads for the target. This process, from the FCR finding the target to the RF coming off the rails, takes no more than 2.5 seconds. Once the missile is in the air, no pilot guidance is required; the missile does the rest.

RFI(Radar Frequency Interferometer). A passive sensor mounted under the FCR that searches for radar-emitting threats.

Rolex. A term used to describe delaying an already agreed time. If, for example, the agreed launch time is 21:00hrs and a 20-minute delay is required, a ‘Rolex 20’ would be requested. The new launch time is then 21:20hrs.

RPG(Rocket Propelled Grenade). A shoulder-launched anti-tank weapon with an effective range out to 1km.

SA-5. Russian-manufactured radar and missile system. It has huge 35ft-long missiles with 217kg warheads capable of taking down large, high-altitude targets. There were none of these missiles left when we got involved in Libya, but their radars were still working. Able to find and track targets out to 170 miles, the radar could be used to alert other weapons systems and was treated as a significant threat to us.

SA-6. A Russian-manufactured anti-aircraft system designed to target jet fighters as well as helicopters. The system comprises a radar vehicle, known amongst NATO pilots by the designation ‘Straight Flush’, which acquires and then tracks a target at a range of up to 17 miles. A separate vehicle carries up to three missiles, which can reach high altitude jets and low altitude helicopters out to 15 miles.

SA-7. A first-generation Russian-made MANPAD. It fires a heat-seeking missile that will typically lock on to the engines of a helicopter. Flares are fired to decoy the missile.