APPENDIX A: HOLDINGS OF THE ARMY OF THE KINGDOM OF BAVARIA
- for land systems and personal equipment items, the Army of the Kingdom of Bavaria uses a catalogue system based on the year of adoption (e.g. Kampfpanzer 11, i.e. main battle tank[, introduced 20]11)
- aircraft receive designations based on a role-describing prefix and sequential number (e.g. JS 2 ⇒ Jäger/Schulflugzeug 2, i.e. fighter-conversion trainer no. 2)
- oftentimes, pieces of equipment are given official monikers – usually derived from the manufacturer's own designation – for differentiation and brevity (e.g. Kampfpanzer 11 'Leopard')
- variants are differentiated by a suffix character
PERSONAL WEAPONS
Ranging from his trusty service rifle to shoulder-fired anti-tank missiles, a soldier's trade requires a versatile set of weapons.
![[ img ]](https://abload.de/img/glockseriesbjjxb.png)
The Austrian-made Glock is an iconic series of polymer-framed, short recoil-operated, locked-breech semi-automatic pistols. Light, reliable and easy to operate, this revolutionary design has been adopted by the law enforcement agencies and militaries of some 50 nations. Its latest iteration – the full-size Glock 17 Gen5 – has been selected by the Army of the Kingdom of Bavaria as its new standard sidearm and given the designation of
Pistole 20A. All troops will be equipped with this firearm for self-defence, those on the front-line also as backup should they find their primary weapon rendered inoperable.
The Glock 17 is joined in Bavaria's armoury by the slightly smaller Glock 46, a derivative specifically designed to meet the strict safety requirements of the Upper Saxony State Police. Unlike previous Glock models, this pistol features a rotating barrel and decocking system. True to this more civilian-minded design philosophy, the weapon is issued (as
Pistole 20B) to officers of the Royal Bavarian Constabulary. All Glocks in Bavarian usage sport customisable grips, barrels with polygonal rifling and an improved crown for increased accuracy.
![[ img ]](https://abload.de/img/hkmp76ljd3.png)
Although often classified as a submachine gun, Heckler & Koch's HK MP7 actually falls into the exotic category of personal defence weapons. The MP7 is a very compact select-fire self-loading weapon using the 4.6×30 mm intermediate cartridge. It was developed to accord non-combat troops or soldiers operating in confined spaces (e.g. tank crew members) with the firepower of an assault rifle while not exceeding the dimensions of a submachine gun. It can even be fired with one hand if need be. The AKB has adopted the HK MP7 as
Maschinenpistole 16. Aside from the aforementioned roles, MP7's are part of the standard equipment of every Royal Bavarian Constabulary patrol car.
![[ img ]](https://abload.de/img/zbren2z805g1x6kao.png)
The BREN 2 is a modular 5.56×45 mm select-fire self-loading rifle by Czech gun manufacturer ČZ. It uses a short-stroke gas piston and rotating breech block, comes in various barrel lengths and features a telescopic stock as well as ambidextrous controls for optimal ergonomics. Bavaria's armed services issue a full-size variant of this accurate and reliable weapon as their general service rifle under the designation of
Maschinenkarabiner 16 (machine carbine). Moreover, every rifle section is given additional firepower in the shape of ČZ's 805 G1 dedicated 40×46 mm under-barrel grenade launcher (
Anbaugranatwerfer 16).
![[ img ]](https://abload.de/img/zbren2brfikt6.png)
ČZ's BREN 2 BR is the battle rifle-cousin of the baseline assault rifle. With its more potent calibre and longer heavy-duty barrel, it complements the weapon mix of the infantry by offering increased effective range, greater accuracy and stopping power. The Bavarian military has introduced this Czech rifle under the designation of
Präzisionsselbstlader 17 (precision self-loading rifle). Equipped with optical gunsights and accessoiries like a bipod, it is commonly issued to the best marksman of each rifle section. Sentries and sniper-spotters alike also rely on this weapon.
![[ img ]](https://abload.de/img/hkmg5i3jj0.png)
The MG5 by Heckler & Koch is the standard-issue general purpose machine gun of Bavaria's armed forces, having entered service as
Maschinengewehr 20. It can be carried by foot soldiers as a light machine gun or be deployed on a tripod in the sustained fire role for ranges of up to 1,800 m. Additionally, the MG5 arms most AKB vehicles and helicopters. It is a gas-operated weapon chambered in 7.62×51 mm, fires from an open bolt and features ambidextrous controls as well as a loaded chamber indicator. Designed as a replacement of the venerable MG3, it has a slower rate of fire than its predecessor but offers much greater accuracy.
UTILITY VEHICLES (WHEELED)
A Bavarian proverb says: Ohne Mampf kein Kampf
– you cannot fight on an empty belly. Keeping Bavaria's armed services operational requires vast amounts of fuel, ammunition and food. A fleet of durable and powerful utility vehicles is called upon to provide these essential logistics services whereever they may be needed.
![[ img ]](https://abload.de/img/mercedes-benzg300cdihzklp.png)
The G-Class is a four-wheel drive off-road vehicle with three fully locking differentials produced by legendary German car maker Mercedes-Benz. Half luxury automobile half no-nonsense workhorse, it is perhaps the only automobile at home on the red carpet as well as on the battlefield. The reliability and versatility of the boxy-looking G-Class is highlighted by its largely unchanged fourty-year production run and unbroken popularity with operators not known for parting easily with their money: the armed forces of over a dozen nations. Fielding some 1,100 vehicles in numerous variants as
Lastwagen 16, Bavaria's military uses the G 300 CDI under its original military moniker:
'Wolf'.
![[ img ]](https://abload.de/img/tatrat8101r3r32pbj2j.png)
The T 810 is a six-wheel drive medium logistics truck designed by Tatra for the Czech Army. Deviating from the usual design philosophy of that storied Moravian truck builder, it features rigid portal axles and a ladder frame instead of independently swinging half-axles. This highly mobile vehicle is capable of carrying 16 troops or cargoes and superstructures weighing up to 5,100 kgs (11,250 lbs). In order to increase crew survivability, its cab floor offers protection from anti-personnel mines and hand grenades. The Bavarian designation for the T 810 is
Lastwagen 16 'Lama'. The purchase of 812 "llamas" by Bavaria has also been seen as a diplomatic overture towards the Visegrád Group.
ENGINEERING VEHICLES
Engineers provide mobility to friendly forces while limiting movements of the enemy. Their vehicle park ranges from common excavators to highly specialised apparatuses designed to bridge rivers, clear mine fields or recover equipment under hostile fire. With their aid, engineers can also make valuable contributions to disaster relief operations.
![[ img ]](https://abload.de/img/gdelsamphibiem36bi9t.png)
The Amphibie M3 by Eisenwerke Kaiserslautern (now a part of General Dynamics European Land Systems) is the most modern, efficient and fastest-to-deploy amphibious rig in the world. M3 rigs can operate either as ferries or be conjoined to rapidly form a bridge with the ability to carry loads as heavy as a main battle tank. River crossings 100 metres in length can be achieved with as few as 8 vehicles and in under 20 minutes. Operators of the M3 include Brazil, Germany, Great Britain, Indonesia, Singapore and Taiwan. The Bavarians use 32 units under the designation of
Übersetzfahrzeug (ferrying vehicle)
13 'Salamander'.
PROTECTED VEHICLES (WHEELED)
The protected vehicle as we know it was first developed in South Africa during the Border War. Some fourty years later, they have become a mainstay for militaries across the globe. Designed to shield their occupants from threats often associated with conflicts of low intensity, they must be able to withstand small arms fire, artillery fragmentation, land mines and improvised roadside bombs.
![[ img ]](https://abload.de/img/acslapv5.463km3.png)
The Light Armoured Patrol Vehicle 5.4 is a variant of the Mercedes-Benz G 300 CDI produced by Armoured Car Systems of Bavaria. Originally designed for the German Army and now serving with a number of European militaries and police forces, this combat-proven vehicle offers protection from small arms fire and light anti-tank mines. It is usually armed with a pintle-mounted machine gun. Due to its smaller dimensions and less intimidating profile, the LAPV 5.4 is ideal for patrolling, liaison or mentoring roles. 142 vehicles are fielded by the AKB under the designation of
Allschutzfahrzeug 16 (multi-threat protected vehicle), which shares the
'Wolf' moniker with its more unassuming cousin.
![[ img ]](https://abload.de/img/ivecolmv252k6x.png)
Allschutzfahrzeug 17 'Ratel' (honey badger) is the designation given by the Bavarians to Iveco's LMV 2. Combat-proven and highly agile, this multi-purpose tactical vehicle is capable of carrying a complement of 5 troops or payloads in excess of 2,500 kgs (5,500 lbs). LMV 2 can be adapted to meet the predicted threat level with a dedicated add-on armour kit. Fully armoured, it provides protection up to STANAG 4569 Level III, making it a remarkably stalwart platform for its size. Bavaria has purchased some 500 "honey badgers" in a wide variety of configurations: infantry mobility, logistics, reconnaissance, electronic warfare, battlefield control and liaison duties.
![[ img ]](https://abload.de/img/kmwfennek1a2a7do8.png)
Designed by then-German tank builder KMW, the Fennek is a scout car built for the armies of the Netherlands and Germany. In Bavaria, it is known as the
Spähwagen 11 'Fennek'. Its low profile, quiet engine and retractable mast-mounted sensors allow the monitoring of the enemy from the safety of concealment. In Afghanistan, the "fennec" proved its indispensability to field commanders as well as its ability to withstand threats even in excess of its design limits. The Bavarian military owns 114 vehicles, including stocks inherited from the Federal Republic of Germany. They equip target acquisition batteries, field reconnaissance squadrons and tactical air control parties.
![[ img ]](https://abload.de/img/kmwdingo2a3zueck.png)
KMW's Dingo 2 A3 is the quintessential mine-resistant ambush-protected vehicle, ending its tenure in Afghanistan with the lowest number of casualties sustained per allied vehicle attacked. It is capable of withstanding sustained small arms fire with armour-piercing rounds, anti-tank mines and roadside bombs. Once developed for Germany's peace-keeping efforts in mine-infested Bosnia, this derivative of the legendary Unimog has since been purchased by eight armies and spawned a family of subvariants. Bavaria operates the
'Dingo' as
Allschutzfahrzeug 13, owning 444 units – including tactical vehicles, mobile command posts and NBC reconnaissance platforms.
ARMOURED VEHICLES (WHEELED)
Armoured vehicles are generally characteristed by their being designed to offer protection from front-line weapon systems in the thick of battle. Unlike mere protected vehicles – which exist primarily to save their occupants' lives in the event of a hit –, armoured vehicles must be able to soldier on and take the fight to the enemy.
![[ img ]](https://abload.de/img/rheinmetallfuchs1a91qjp0.png)
The Fuchs 1 A9 (or
Mehrzweckpanzerwagen 14 'Fuchs', i.e. multi-role armoured vehicle) is the latest version of a versatile armoured personnel carrier for up to ten occupants that has served the Germans and their NATO allies well since 1979. It has spawned no less then 40 variants, although the NBC reconnaissance variant is the most widely known. The A9 upgrade incorporates "lessons learned" from the War in Afghanistan and offers protection from explosive threats and armour-piercing rounds up to 7.62×67 mm in calibre. The 358 "foxes" operated by Bavaria's military are a particularly common sight in its target acquisition and electronic warfare units.
![[ img ]](https://abload.de/img/kmwboxer1a28okxe.png)
The Boxer is an armoured fighting vehicle built by Rheinmetall and KMW for the Dutch and German armies, and also in service with Algeria, Australia, Great Britain and Lithuania. This truly dogged vehicle offers protection from armour-piercing rounds of calibres up to 14.5×111 mm and can withstand centre-mass mine detonations. Its key feature, however, is the operator's ability to integrate a variety of mission modules into the chassis, offering both greater affordability through synergetic effects as well as increased ease of maintenance. By 2027, the AKB plans to operate a total of 578 of these formidable vehicles (which are called
Mehrzweckpanzerwagen 14 'Boxer' in its service). They are used in a variety of roles, e.g. as infantry fighting vehicles, mobile command posts, battlefield ambulances or self-propelled mortars.
ARMOURED VEHICLES (TRACKED)
If the infantry is a modern army's spear, then its fleet of tracked armoured fighting vehicles must be considered the hammer. Main battle tanks, infantry fighting vehicles and self-propelled artillery provide overwhelming firepower whilst protecting their crews from battlefield hazards. Where tracked AFVs cannot go, none can.
![[ img ]](https://abload.de/img/kmwrheinmetallpumas155cv7.png)
A joint venture of KMW and Rheinmetall for the German Army, the Puma infantry fighting vehicle (or
Schützenpanzerwagen 21 'Puma' in Bavaria) is many things at once: It's the product of a long and troubled development history. At a unit cost of nearly $20 million, it's the most expensive armoured fighting vehicle ever built. But most importantly, Puma is the most advanced vehicle of its class. Its sensor suite gives its crew of nine seamless 360-degree situational awareness, including at night or whilst dismounted, and its fire control system is even capable of semi-autonomously engaging aerial threats from large helicopters all the way down to small loitering munitions.
Puma is heavily armed with an automatic cannon, anti-tank guided missiles, a machine gun and a close-in defence system against hostile infantry approaching from the rear. A scalable combination of reactive and composite armour offers protection in excess of STANAG 4569 Level VI, and is in turn complemented by a soft kill active protection system against incoming missiles. The vehicle's power pack produces 1,090 hp out of a mere 11.1 litres of displacement, providing more than enough speed and agility to keep up with the Leopard 2 main battle tank over the most difficult terrain. The AKB has equipped six armoured infantry battalions with a total of 282 Pumas.
TRAINER AIRCRAFT (FIXED-WING)
Even in the age of advanced simulators, real aircraft remain an indispensable tool to prepare future aircrew and ground personnel for their challenging roles in aerial warfare. Types ranging from elementary trainers with forgiving characteristics all the way up to combat-capable fast jet trainers guide the student from introductory lessons to his/her front-line aircraft.
![[ img ]](https://abload.de/img/grobg120tpovkph.png)
Grob's G 120TP is a modern trainer aircraft with a powerful turboprop engine, digital avionics and a glass cockpit. Ideally simple to master, yet also sufficiently demanding to provide a high-quality training experience, the G 120TP features side-by-side seating. This configuration allows student and instructor to observe each other's actions, ensuring a steep learning curve and added flight safety. At the same time, the composite airframe's g-Limits of +6/-4 leave ample room for aerobatic flight manoeuvres. The Air Forces of the Army of the Kingdom of Bavaria acquired 12 G 120TP's. In their service, this Bavarian-built aeroplane is known as
'Ortolan' S2.
![[ img ]](https://abload.de/img/diamondda42b2k71.png)
The Austrian-made Diamond DA42 is a general aviation aircraft of an all-composite design featuring proprietary diesel piston engines and a glass cockpit. It offers a maximum speed of 365 kph and carries four personnel over a distance of 2,250 km (1,215 mi). A popular provider of multi-engine flying training in pilot schools the world over, the DA42 also assumes that very role for the air arm of the AKB. In addition, it fulfils an important secondary function – that of a liaison aircraft for functionaries of the armed services. The 3 Bavarian aircraft received the designation of
'Bekassine' SV1 (snipe).
![[ img ]](https://abload.de/img/pilatuspc-21czjg7.png)
Switzerland's Pilatus PC-21 is a state-of-the-art advanced military trainer aircraft. With tandem seating and jet-like handling (685 kph, +8/-4
g), it serves to familiarise student pilots with their future work environment. Its simulation suite is capable not only of generating simulated air-to-air targets and scoring against the release of simulated air-to-ground ordnance; the aircraft can also mimick the cockpit configuration of front-line fighter jets. These features ease the transitioning of the student to operational conversion units and help cutting down costs by eliminating the need for a sizable fleet of jet trainers. Bavaria operates 12 PC-21's under the designation of
'Milan' S2 (red kite).
![[ img ]](https://abload.de/img/aerol-159by7j8h.png)
The L-159 marks the latest entry in the history of the L-39/59 series of jet trainers by Aero of Czechia, famed for their agility and ease of operating. Though developed as a single-seat light attack aircraft, the L-159 continues its family’s legacy with a two-seat trainer incarnation. The L-159B is a combat-capable subsonic trainer aircraft with a simulation suite able to emulate modern aerial warfare threats as well as many functions of a 4.5 generation jet fighter. The Army of the Kingdom of Bavaria uses 6 of these aircraft to the put the last touches to its new jet pilots, who know them by the handle of
'Tornado' SA2.
COMBAT AIRCRAFT (FIXED-WING)
The Air Forces of the Army of the Kingdom of Bavaria protect the airspace of the nation, the Confederacy as a whole and of NATO. The service maintains a fleet of high-perfomance multi-role fighter jets capable of handling all aspects of modern warfare, including air policing, peace enforcement and high-intensity conflicts against peer adversaries. Another important role lies in providing close air support and armed overwatch for friendly ground troops.
![[ img ]](https://abload.de/img/aerol-159agxkn8.png)
Czechia's Aero L-159A is a light attack aircraft with a rich operational history that ranges from fighting Islamic State terrorists in Iraq to providing training for NATO pilots. Its Grifo L radar, native defensive aid suite and width of weaponry give it full combat capability. Bavaria has purchased 16 aircraft under the alias of
'Tornado' A1 as a cost-efficient supplement to its Typhoon swing-role fighter jets. The delivery of close air support is the 'Tornado's' primary mission; other tasks include reconnaissance and electronic warfare sorties. It even assumes an air policing role when subsonic speeds suffice to protect the airspace of Bavaria and her allies.
![[ img ]](https://abload.de/img/eurofightertyphoong0joa.png)
![[ img ]](https://abload.de/img/eurofightertyphoontwi1fjtb.png)
The Eurofighter Typhoon has come a long way since its inception during the Cold War's twilight years. Once devised as an interceptor to defend its European makers from the USSR's superb MiGs and Sukhois, it has since matured into a potent swing-role fighter jet. The aircraft owes its extreme agility to its powerful engines and inherent aerodynamic instability, allowing top speeds above Mach 2.35 and
g-Limits of +9/-3 while armed. It has a maximum payload of 9,000 kgs (19,800 lbs) and range of 1,390 km (863 mi). Although not a "stealth fighter", it does have a reduced radar cross-section, and its cockpit responds to customisable voice input in order to lower the pilot's workload.
In conjunction with Typhoon's Captor-E radar and PIRATE infrared search-and-track sensor, these properties produce a platform well-suited to the full spectrum of air operations and, arguably, the world's premier 4.5 generation fighter. The Kingdom of Bavaria inherited 18 single-seat Typhoons from Germany and acquired another 12 over the years. Brought to the Tranche 4 standard, they are poised to form the mainstay of the AKB's air arm for decades to come. The service also owns 6 twin-seat aircraft with dual controls. While they retain a full combat capability, they mainly serve as conversion trainers. The aircraft were introduced as
'Taifun' J1 and
'Taifun' JS2, respectively.
![[ img ]](https://abload.de/img/eurofightertyphoonecr73kmk.png)
Although inducted into Bavarian service as the
'Taifun' RA1, this first derivative of the Eurofighter Typhoon might reasonably lay claim to the nickname "Wild Weasel". With the Typhoon ECR, Airbus and Hensoldt respond to a requirement of the German
Luftwaffe to replace their ageing Tornado ECR electronic attack aircraft. A crucial asset to increase the survivability of friendly air forces in hostile skies, it is designed to expose itself to the enemy's air defences, pin-point their locations and destroy them with precision weapons. Meanwhile, its jammers protect the aircraft as well as others nearby from enemy ground fire. Bavaria has agreed to contribute 6 RA1 to a bilateral squadron.
ISTAR AIRCRAFT (FIXED-WING)
'ISTAR' is military shorthand for intelligence, surveillance, target acquisition and reconnaissance. Units dedicated to this task survey hostile activities and communications in order to derive intelligence for military and political decision-makers. The air arm of Bavaria's armed forces owns a number of specialised ISTAR aircraft with advanced sensors, ranging from small patrol aircraft to airborne command centres.
![[ img ]](https://abload.de/img/diamondda42mppguardiaetk27.png)
MPP Guardian is a surveillance platform derived by Austrian planemaker Diamond from its successful DA42. Highly modular and with up to 8 hours of endurance, it has been a global bestseller with customers as diverse as the Argentine Army or Russia's FSB intelligence service. The
'Bekassine' RV1 – as it is handle in Bavarian service – features a satellite uplink radome and a holistic ISTAR suite courtesy of Hensoldt: a ground surveillance radar, an electro-optical/infrared imaging system, and a radio direction finding sensor. Apart from their military role, the 2 aircraft also render aid to the civil power, serving in border protection duties and even as airborne wildfire lookouts during the summer months.
FIXED-WING TRANSPORT AIRCRAFT
Even though Bavaria is no vast country, transport aircraft remain the go-to method to swiftly deliver logistic effect or airborne troops across her territory. Naturally, they also serve to connect Bavaria with her allies in Germany and abroad, and they play a vital role in supplying overseas deployments. Furthermore, the AKB possesses the capability to refuel most of its aircraft in-flight.
![[ img ]](https://abload.de/img/deutscheaircraftd328ekckxf.png)
D328eco is the moniker given to the second iteration of the Dornier 328 regional airliner. Deutsche Aircraft announced the D328eco in 2018 as a more ecological replacement for older Dorniers and other commuter aircraft. Initial operational capability is to be reached in 2024. Despite external similarities, the D328eco is in fact a new, larger aircraft with more advanced engines and arrangements for a wide range of commercial, parapublic and military missions. Carrying 43 passengers or 6 patients and their associated medical personnel over distances of up to 2,000 km (1,080 nmi), it is certified for single-pilot operations and semi-prepared airstrips. The 4 aircraft slated to enter Bavarian service are equipped with a countermeasures suite and named after the heron:
'Reiher' T1.
![[ img ]](https://abload.de/img/airbusa400m2rkyz.png)
The Airbus A400M Atlas – or
'Kondor' T1 (condor) in Bavarian service – is a military transport aircraft providing both tactical and strategic air mobility. It can carry a 37-tonne playload to unprepared airstrips or deliver up to 116 paratroopers to a tactical landing zone. Aerial refuelling gives it intercontinental reach. If equipped with under-wing fuel dispensers, the "condor" can refuel all fixed-wing and rotary-wing aircraft adapted for probe-and-drogue refuelling. The AKB took over 3 aircraft from Germany; together with 10 German A400M's (and personnel from Hungary), they form the European Air Transport Command's Multinational Air Transport Unit at Lechfeld Air Base.
AIRCRAFT WEAPONRY AND EQUIPMENT
Even the most advanced fighter aircraft is helpless if it arrives on the modern battlefield without an array of powerful weapons and advanced sensors. The arsenal of the Air Forces of the Army of the Kingdom of Bavaria is tailored to achieving superiority in the air and providing anti-access/area denial capabilities to friendly forces.
![[ img ]](https://abload.de/img/variousaircraftweapon97k8y.png)
REMOTELY PILOTED AERIAL VEHICLES
Since the dawn of the new millenium, so-called drones have quickly become a staple of military arsenals all over the world. They have even begun to replace manned aircraft in certain roles, particularly as airborne long-range reconnaissance assets for battlefield surveillance and target acquisition. As such, they offer ground commanders and political leaders a valuable intelligence product with the need to put a pilot's life at risk.
![[ img ]](https://abload.de/img/grobg520helios5yjyg.png)
Inducted into Bavarian service as the
'Rabe' R1 (raven), Helios is the latest stage of evolution of the Grob G 520 surveillance aircraft built by the West Germans in the dying days of the Cold War. After a short stint in the service of science, the G 520 programme was revived in 2010 to be developed into a high-altitude long-endurance reconnaissance drone. Bavaria's 9 "ravens" carry a payload of 1,145 kgs (2,525 lbs) to heights of 16,300 m (53,475 ft) and offer a loitering time of a good 32 hours. Their payload includes an active electronically scanned array multi-mode surveillance radar, signal intelligence sensors and optical surveillance devices.
APPENDIX B: PUBLIC SAFETY
KÖNIGLICH BAYERISCHER ZIVILSCHUTZ
The Royal Bavarian Civil Defence Corps is a Bavarian governmental agency under the auspices of the Ministry of State. Created in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic as the Civil Relief Agency to provide technical assistance and humanitarian relief in times of emergency and natural disasters, its first test came in 2022 when the Russian invasion of Ukraine triggered a mass exodus of refugees from that country. Under the impression of Russia's aggression, the agency was renamed and shifted in focus to incorporate traditional civil defence tasks. It is expected to grow to 11,000 volunteers and 3,000 full-time employees by 2030.
UTILITY VEHICLES (WHEELED)
![[ img ]](https://abload.de/img/civildefencecorpstatrd5k47.png)
APPENDIX C: CIVIL AVIATION OF BAVARIA
TRANSALPINE
Transalpine is the flag carrier of the Kingdom of Bavaria. Founded in the 1970's in West Germany as a charter airline for holiday makers and guest workers from Yugoslavia, the airline led a shadowy existence with an ageing fleet until the Bavarian secession. Munich's becoming a shareholder has made a rejuvenation plan possible that – though somewhat delayed by the 2020 aviation crisis – will see the replacing of Transalpine's second-hand fleet (7 Boeing 757-200, 3 Boeing 717-200 and 3 DHC-8-400) with 15 brand-new Airbus A320neo family aircraft. All aircraft are named after Bavarian mountains. In 2022, Transalpine served 31 destinations in Central Europe and the Mediterranean region.
![[ img ]](https://abload.de/img/transalpineboeing717-uhke9.png)
The youngest member of the "Mad Dog" family of short-haul airliners, the B717 is a stepchild of Boeing's brought into their marriage by the erstwhile McDonnell Douglas company. The aircraft, which carries 134 passengers over a distance of 2,645 km (1,428 nmi), was a flop at its time and production ceased in 2005. In a twist of irony, however, the B717 quickly became a heavily sought-after commodity, with second-hand and even third-hand models acquired by airlines like Delta and Qantas for near-original prices. The B717 is economical in its market niche and has a perfect safety record. Transalpine acquired its 3 -200's from Spanish airline Volotea.
FRANCONIAN FRACHTFLUGGESELLSCHAFT
FRANCONIAN is the only airfreight carrier of Bavaria. Established in 1987 as Fränkischer Kurbäderflugdienst
(Franconian Spa Town Air Shuttle) to link Nuremberg with alpine luxury resorts, the company reinvented itself over time as a dedicated cargo airline with the aid of American military contracts. Increased airfreight demand due to the COVID-19 pandemic catapulted the company into the league of Europe's biggest cargo airlines. In 2022, Franconian operated 5 McDonnell Douglas MD-11F, 3 Saab 340F and 1 BAe 146-300F. All aircraft are named after Bavarian cities.
![[ img ]](https://abload.de/img/franconianbae146-300f78ks9.png)
The BAe 146 is a short-haul airliner and regional jet manufactured by British Aerospace between 1983 and 2001. It is very quiet in operation and offers an excellent climb performance, rendering it the ideal platform to serve city-based airports with stricter noise emission regulations and/or shorter runways. Depending on configuration, the BAe 146 carries up to 112 passengers or cargoes of up to 11.7 tonnes at a top speed of 789 kph. The more cost-intensive four-engine configuration of the type has led to its being pulled from passenger service in recent years, but many BAe 146’s continue to serve as freighters or in aerial firefighting.
FRANCONIAN operated a surplus BAe 146-300 (BV-AAGE) as a transport for perishables on the London-Munich route between 2008 and 2019. The pandemic won the briefly-retired aircraft a new lease on life; it has distributed protective equipment and vaccines in Central Europe ever since. In April 2020, Franconian revealed the "Lifeliner by Franconian" livery to raise awareness for the plight of health workers and their families affected by the pandemic. The carrier vowed to donate 2.020% of each flight's revenue to self-help groups organised by the nursing community. Their campaign netted more than Ƒ900,000.
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