The Aviation Magazine No 48 January - February 2017

To enhance IAR‐330 Puma Naval helicopter's ASW IAR Brasov awarded a contract in June 2013 to Thales to develop and deliver TMS 2000 sonobuoy processors. The sonobuoys send acoustic data to the processor through a VHF link which is received from the VHF receiver and processed by the aircraft in real‐time. The TMS 2000 provides capabilities for detection, tracking, localization and classification of surface and subsur‐ face targets in all environments by processing active and/or passive acoustic data gathered from sono‐ buoys. The TMS 2000 provides mono and multi‐static processing modes for all active sonobuoys. The last stage of the modernization was finalized by late 2015 and had run for two years. The helicopters have been fitted with torpedo launchers, extending their operability to anti‐submarine warfare. The Puma Naval had previously been outfitted in 2012 with two machine guns (7.62 mm and 12.7 mm), for anti‐ piracy operations (operation Atalanta). “We have not selected and procured the actual torpedoes yet” adds squadron commander Mitric. “The Puma Naval is able to carry various torpedoes. We just select what equipment we want to have and put it on the helicopter. That is our way of working and thinking” finalizes Marius Mitric. It is expected a final decision will be made before end of 2016 which torpedo will be selected. It is most likely the BAE systems Stingray torpedo will be selected. To further sustain the future of Romanian Naval Aviation there are plans to acquire a fourth IAR.330 Puma Naval specifically to support the Batalionul 307 Infanterie Marina (307th Marine Battalion), the elite squadron of the Romanian Marines. The Marines are trained in a similar way with the Green Berets and Rangers and are primarily used for on/off‐shore and beach‐head establishing missions, as well as fighting in Delta regions such as the Danube Delta. Less known is the cooperation with GNFOS Grupul Naval ‐ Forte pentru Operații Speciale Grupul Scafandri Incursori (Special Operations Naval Group) who also saw action during Operation Atalanta (2012). To support the future expansion of tasks and sustain the ‘Black Knight’ squadron a new group of young pilots is planned to be trained at Boboc training school in the near future. Members of the GNFOS Grupul Naval ‐ Forte pentru Operații Spe‐ ciale Grupul Scafandri Incursori (Special Operations Naval Group)

The Aviation Magazine No 48 January - February 2017 | Page 84