Sucks...
MILITARY chiefs blew up a £50million aircraft so its high-tech gear would not fall into enemy hands, it was revealed yesterday.
The decision to destroy the specially modified RAF Hercules was made after it crash-landed in a southern Afghan Taliban stronghold.
The loss of the plane, used to move SAS troops and equipment, is expected to hamper special forces operations for a while in the lawless Helmand badlands.
The hushed-up accident occurred last week in a blacked-out night landing on a rough dirt air strip.
Missions ... SAS
Pilots using night vision goggles were guided in by four SAS troopers on the ground.
But the Hercules from 47 Squadron at RAF Lyneham — which is the most highly decorated unit in the air force — was badly damaged in what was described as a “very, very hard landing”. None of the crew or troops on board were injured and they were able to evacuate the aircraft.
After some equipment on board was removed, Army engineers were sent in to plant explosives and blow up the giant transporter and the rest of its contents. A source said: “The loss of the Hercules is a big blow but it was better to blow it up rather than risk letting it fall into the hands of the Taliban.”
The Hercules planes used by the special forces are equipped with highly classified digital encrypted satellite and high frequency communications suites to relay messages and video from SAS troops on the ground straight back to UK headquarters from anywhere in the world.
They are also fitted with the latest defensive aids including missile-approach warning gear — and have the ability to jam anti-aircraft missiles with flares and chaff launchers, which release millions of tiny metal particles to confuse radar systems.
NI_MPU('middle');NI_MPU('Embedded for DHTML');
Aircraft for SAS missions also have to be able to carry the Who Dares Wins regiment’s very heavily armed Land Rovers or Mad Max-style Special Utility Vehicles.
They also transport the SAS’s raider speed boats and mini-subs.
Until the RAF is able to convert other Hercules, the SAS will probably have to cadge rides with American special forces units.
Last night an RAF spokesman said: “We continue to manage our aircraft in order to maintain a required level of defence capability.