Road runway

The road runways are typically {{Convert|2|to|3.5|km|abbr=off}} straight sections of the road or highway, where any central reservation is made of crash barriers that can be removed quickly (in order to allow aeroplanes to use the whole width of the road). Other features of an airbase (taxiways, aircraft parking aprons) may also be built. The road will need a thicker-than-normal surface and a solid concrete base. The specialised equipment of a typical airfield are stored somewhere nearby, and only moved to the road runway when airfield operations start. The road runways can be converted from motorways to airbases typically within 24-to-48 hours. The road would need to be swept to remove any FOD debris before use by aircraft. Road runways can however also be quite small; the short runways built in the Swedish Bas 90 system are commonly only {{Convert|800|m|abbr=off}} in length. The STOL-capability of the Viggen and Gripen allowed for such short runways. In the case of Finnish road airbases, the space needed for landing aircraft is reduced by means of a wire, similar to the CATOBAR system used on some aircraft carriers.{{Cite web|url=http://www.ilmavoimat.fi/index_en.php?id=661|title=Puolustusvoimat|language=fi|website=Ilmavoimat.fi|publisher= |access-date=2015-12-17|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090625032837/http://www.Ilmavoimat.fi/index_en.php?id=661|archive-date=25 June 2009}}

A number of countries around the world utilise the strategy of highways constructed to double as auxiliary runways for nearby airbases in the event of war.

File:RFDS emergency landing strip sign.jpg in Australia indicating that an Royal Flying Doctor Service (RFDS) emergency airstrip is ahead; there are four such strips on the highway.|alt=]]

While not designed for military use, in outback Australia, some sections of highway are maintained as emergency runways for use by the Royal Flying Doctor Service (RFDS).{{Cite news|last=Phillips|first=Graeme|date=23 July 2015|url=http://www.governmentnews.com.au/2015/07/highway-doubles-as-flying-doctor-landing-strip/|title=Highway doubles as flying doctor landing strip|website=GovernmentNews.com.au|access-date=21 February 2017}}{{Cite web|url=http://www.waymarking.com/waymarks/WMEJCD_RFDS_Emergency_Landing_Strip_Eyre_Highway_between_Mundrabilla_and_Madura_Pass_Western_Australia|title=RFDS Emergency Landing Strip, Eyre Highway, between Mundrabilla and Madura Pass, Western Australia|website=Waymarking.com|access-date=21 February 2017}}

In Glamoč, Bosnia and Herzegovina, the M15 road was used as a military airstrip. There is a clear example of how the road was widened for the needs of aeroplane landing.{{Cite news|title=Magistralni put M15|url=https://www.402.ba/piste/glamoc/|website=402.ba|access-date=6 November 2022}}

In 1989, China conducted its first road runway drills. They have since been conducted at later dates, and in different areas of the country.{{Citation needed|date=October 2020}} In 2014, Chinese forces landed military aircraft{{Which|date=January 2025}} on a road runway in Henan province for the first time.{{Cite news|title=China test flies warplanes on highway strip|url=http://eng.mod.gov.cn/Photos/2014-05/25/content_4511900.htm|website=eng.mod.gov.cn|date=2014-05-25|access-date=16 October 2017}}

After the Turkish invasion of Cyprus, three road runways were built in the Greek part of Cyprus, easily recognisable by a runway centre line and markings for the touchdown zone. They also have aircraft turning areas at either end. One is located on the A1 Limassol–Nicosia highway ({{Convert|5200|m|abbr=off}}) and one near the western end of the A5 Limassol–Larnaca highway ({{Convert|5000|m||abbr=off}}).{{Cite web|title=Abandoned and Little-known Airfields: Cyprus, District Larnaca|url=http://www.ronaldv.nl/abandoned/airfields/CY/larnaca.html|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131103220459/http://www.ronaldv.nl/abandoned/airfields/CY/larnaca.html|archive-date=3 November 2013}} The third is a much smaller strip located on the A6 Limassol-Paphos highway near to Paphos International Airport.{{Cite web|title=Abandoned and Little-known Airfields: Cyprus, District Paphos|url=http://www.ronaldv.nl/abandoned/airfields/CY/paphos.html|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131103220738/http://www.ronaldv.nl/abandoned/airfields/CY/paphos.html|archive-date=3 November 2013}}

In the Czech Republic, road runways are called 'the airport section of the highway' ({{Langx|cs|letištní úsek dálnice}} (LÚD)). There are two existing road runways. One on highway D1 (km 136.8 to 139.2) near Měřín, {{Convert|2100|m|abbr=off}} long by {{Convert|25.5|m|abbr=off}} wide. It was finished in 1976, and was used for exercise landings and take-offs in 1980, 1982, and 1985. The second road runway is on highway D46 (km 1.4 to 4.2), and it is designed as backup take-off and landing runway for Vyškov Airport. Many more were planned, but not built.{{Cite web|url=https://www.vhu.cz/plan-vystavby-vojenskych-letist-na-dalnicni-a-silnicni-siti-v-cssr/|title=Plán výstavby vojenských letišť na dálniční a silniční síti v ČSSR|language=cs|website=VHU.cz|date=16 February 2022 |access-date=2024-06-15}}

During the Operation Saber Strike exercises in Estonia in 2016 and 2018, A-10 Thunderbolt II aircraft from the United States Air National Guard operated from former Warsaw Pact road runways in Estonia.{{Cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/checkpoint/wp/2016/06/21/watch-an-a-10-land-on-an-estonian-highway-for-the-first-time-since-1984/|title=Watch an A-10 land on a highway for the first time since 1984|newspaper=Washington Post|date=2016-06-21|access-date=2018-07-04}}{{Cite news|url=https://theaviationist.com/2018/06/13/u-s-air-force-a-10-attack-aircraft-practice-landings-and-take-offs-from-rural-highway-and-austere-runway-in-estonia/|title=U.S. Air Force A-10 attack aircraft practice landings and take offs from rural highway and austere runway In Estonia|work=The Aviationist|date=2018-06-13|access-date=2018-07-04}}

File:Alavuden varalaskupaikka 2.JPG road runway in Finland.|alt=]]

In the Winter War of 1939-1940, the Finnish Air Force re-deployed its aircraft to makeshift airfields, including frozen lakes, to preserve them against Soviet air attack. The tactic was successful, with Soviet air raids on bases causing little damage, and the vastly outnumbered Finnish aircraft scoring a high number of aerial victories.{{Cite book|last1=Engle|first1=Eloise|last2=Paananen|first2=Lauri|date=1973|title=The Winter War|publisher=Sidgewick & Jackson|isbn=0-283-97949-6|page=60}}

Throughout the Cold War, the Finnish Air Force maintained a network of secondary airfields, including civilian airports and road bases, to improve survivability and effectiveness in the event of war.{{Cite web|last=Bitzinger|first=Richard A|url=http://apps.dtic.mil/dtic/tr/fulltext/u2/a228265.pdf|title=The Finnish Air Force Faces the 1990s|website=DTIC.mil|page=4|date=July 1989}}{{Dead link|date=December 2024|bot=InternetArchiveBot|fix-attempted=yes}}

As of 2017, all aircraft in the Finnish Air Force are capable of operating from road bases.{{Cite magazine|title=Finnish Hornets on the road|magazine=Combat Aircraft|volume=18|number=1|date=January 2017|pages=70–75}}

Currently Finland conducts drills on its road bases ({{langx|fi|maantietukikohta}}), around once a year. In the Baana 16 exercise in 2016, the Finnish Air Force flew F/A-18C and BAE Hawk, Pilatus PC-12, and C295M aircraft from a highway in Lusi. The Finnish Air Force uses arresting cables to quickly stop F/A-18s, which were originally designed to operate from aircraft carriers. The Swedish Air Force also took part in the 2015 and 2016 exercises, flying Gripen fighters.{{Cite web|last=Lock|first=Alex|date=4 October 2016|url=http://www.businessinsider.com/finland-military-drill-f-18s-highway-2016-10|title=Watch the military drill where Finland launches F-18s off of a highway|publisher=Business Insider|access-date=21 February 2017}} The Royal Norwegian Air Force took part in the 2023 exercise, flying F-35 fighter.{{Cite web|url=https://www.forsvaret.no/en/news/press/norwegian-f-35-landed-on-a-highway-in-finland|title=Norwegian F-35s landed on a highway in Finland|website=Forsvaret.no|publisher=Norwegian Armed Forces|access-date=2024-08-21}}

File:RAB mit Flugzeugen.jpg road runway in World War II (Spring 1945), with Ju 88 heavy fighters parked on the shoulders.|alt=]]

{{Expand section|date=January 2025}}

Germany has a number of road runways (NLP-Str - {{Langx|de|Notlandeplätze auf Straßen}}, 'emergency airfields on roads').

In India, road runways are called 'emergency landing facilities' (ELF). ELFs are activated in the states of Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, Andhra Pradesh, and union territory of Jammu and Kashmir. A total thirteen locations have been chosen for development of such road runways.{{Cite news|last= |first= |date=2024-04-02|title=IAF conducts trial run on emergency landing strip with five helicopters on Jammu-Srinagar highway|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/iaf-conducts-trial-run-on-emergency-landing-strip-with-five-helicopters-on-jammu-srinagar-highway/articleshow/108941761.cms|work=The Times of India|access-date=2024-04-02|issn=0971-8257}}

• Yamuna Expressway: India has successfully tested its road runway on a stretch of the Yamuna Expressway in Uttar Pradesh on 21 May 2015.{{Cite news|url=http://pib.nic.in/newsite/PrintRelease.aspx?relid=121896|title=Indian Air Force (IAF) Mirage -2000 lands at Yamuna Expressway|publisher=Press Information Bureau|date=2015-05-21|access-date=2016-06-25}} It was built at a cost of ₹130 billion for its combat jets of the Indian Air Force (IAF), a first for military aviation in the country. In June 2016, the Minister of Road Transport and Highways, Nitin Gadkari announced that the government was considering developing 'road runways' for commercial operations as well.{{Cite news|last=Kumar|first=Deepak|date=21 June 2016|title=Turning roads into runways may be a stretch and here is why|url=http://www.moneycontrol.com/news/current-affairs/turning-roads-into-runways-may-bestretchhere-is-why_6903301.html|website=Moneycontrol.com|access-date=25 June 2016}}
• Agra–Lucknow Expressway (Lucknow): India successfully tested another road runway on a stretch of the Agra Lucknow Expressway in Uttar Pradesh on 24 October 2017.{{Cite news|last= |first= |url=https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/15-fighter-jets-c130j-super-hercules-transport-aircraft-to-land-in-unnao-on-lucknow-agra-expressway-1766193|title=Air Force planes land on highway near Lucknow in 2-hour drill|publisher=NDTV India|date=2017-10-24|access-date=2017-10-24}}
• National Highway 925 (Barmer): on 9 September 2021, the Minister of Road Transport and Highways, Nitin Gadkari, and the Minister of Defence, Rajnath Singh, inaugurated India's first road runway on a National Highway NH925 in Barmer, Rajasthan and, a mock emergency landing was conducted with the two ministers and the Air Chief Marshal R. K. S. Bhadauria on-board a military transport aircraft.{{Cite web|title=Rajasthan's NH 924A becomes first national highway with emergency landing airstrip|url=https://www.firstpost.com/india/union-ministers-set-to-inaugurate-indias-first-airstrip-on-national-highway-in-barmer-this-week-9941781.html|website=Firstpost.com|date=7 September 2021|access-date=2021-09-09}}{{Cite news|last= |first= |date=9 September 2021|title=IAF's emergency landing facility|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/emergency-landing-facility-all-you-want-to-know/articleshow/86055899.cms|website=The Times of India|access-date=2021-09-09}}
• National Highway 16 (Bapatla): an emergency landing facility airstrip was activated on National Highway 16 on 18 March 2024. The {{Convert|4.1|km|abbr=off}} long by {{Convert|33|m|abbr=off}} wide strip has been constructed by the National Highways Authority of India. Aircraft, including Sukhoi Su-30MKI, BAE Systems Hawk, Antonov An-32, and Dornier 228, conducted landing trials on the same day.{{Cite web|title=Air Force activates emergency landing strip on national highway in Andhra Pradesh|url=https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/air-force-activates-emergency-landing-strip-on-national-highway-in-andhra-pradesh-5266858|website=NDTV.com|access-date=2024-03-20}}
• National Highway 44 (Anantnag): an ELF was tested on 2 April 2023 from 03:45 to 04:30 am in Jammu and Kashmir's Anantnag district. The road runway is {{Convert|3.5|km|abbr=off}} long. Five helicopters, including two Chinook, two Dhruv, and one Mi-17 of IAF were part of the trial. It also included Sukhoi Su-30MKI and HAL Tejas. The road runway construction started in 2020 at a cost of {{INRConvert|119|c|lk=on|year=2020}}.{{Cite web|last= |first= |date=2024-04-02|title=IAF conducts overnight trial on emergency landing strip on Jammu-Srinagar Highway|url=https://kashmirobserver.net/2024/04/02/iaf-conducts-overnight-trial-on-emergency-landing-strip-on-jammu-srinagar-highway/|website=Kashmir Observer|access-date=2024-04-02}}

In Hokkaido, the Japan Self-Defense Forces (JSDF) have Kenebetsu Air Base and Yakumo Sub Base as alternative airbases.

{{Main|List of highway strips in North Korea}}

{{Expand section|date=January 2025}}

North Korea has established a large number of road runways to use in case of war.

File:PKM1-8.JPG with removable medians.|alt=]]

In Pakistan, the M-1 Motorway (Peshawar-Islamabad) and the M-2 Motorway (Islamabad-Lahore) each include two emergency runway sections of {{Convert|2700|m|abbr=off}} length each. The four emergency runway sections become operational by removing removable concrete medians using forklifts. The Pakistan Air Force (PAF) has used the M2 motorway as a road runway on two occasions: for the first time in 2000 when it landed an F-7P fighter, a Super Mushak trainer, and a C-130 transport, and again, in 2010. On the last occasion, the PAF used a road runway section on the M2 motorway on 2 April 2010, to land, refuel, and take-off two jet fighters; a Mirage III and an F-7P, during its Highmark 2010 exercise. In March 2019, Pakistan also used

a section of M2 motorway to land its fighter jets to demonstrate its capability.{{cite press release |last= |first= |date=2 April 2010 |title=PAF CONDUCTS FIGHTER OPERATIONS FROM MOTORWAY |url=http://www.paf.gov.pk/press_release/uploaded/MOTORWAY-RELEASE02-04-10.pdf |location= |publisher=Pakistan Air Force |agency= |url-status= |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220217152447/http://www.paf.gov.pk/press_release/uploaded/MOTORWAY-RELEASE02-04-10.pdf |archive-date=17 February 2022 |access-date=11 February 2025}}

A large number of road runways (DOL - {{Langx|pl|Drogowy Odcinek Lotniskowy}}, lit 'road airfield section') were built during the Cold War in Poland. As of 2003, only one highway strip is used annually for an exercise.{{Cite magazine|magazine=Combat Aircraft (European Edition)|date=September 2003|pages=76–79}}

The Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF) periodically conducts an 'alternate runway exercise'. It was first conducted on 17 April 1986 with F-5 and A-4 aircraft.{{Cite web|url=https://www.mindef.gov.sg/imindef/press_room/details.html?name=13nov16_fs&date=2016-11-13#.WK7kqxhh1o4|title=Factsheet: RSAF Exercise Torrent 2016, 13 November 2016|website=MINDEF.gov.sg|publisher=Ministry of Defence|date=2016-11-13|access-date=24 February 2017}} The seventh exercise, 'Torrent 2016-, was conducted near Tengah Air Base in November 2016. Signs, street lights and other fixtures were removed, and landing equipment installed temporarily, which included mobile arresting gear for the first time. F-15SG and F-16C/D fighters participated in the 2016 exercise.{{Cite magazine|title=Exercise Torrent 2016|magazine=Combat Aircraft|volume=18|number=1|date=January 2017|page=18}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.mindef.gov.sg/imindef/press_room/details.html?name=03nov16_nr2&date=2016-11-03#.WK7kVRhh1o4|title=Advisory on RSAF Exercise Torrent 2016, 3 November 2016|website=MINDEF.gov.sg|publisher=Ministry of Defence|date=2016-11-03|access-date=24 February 2017}}{{Cite news|url=http://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/air-force-to-conduct-alternate-runway-exercise-at-lim-chu-kang-road-nov-10-14|title=RSAF to conduct alternate runway exercise at Lim Chu Kang Road from Nov 10 to 14|newspaper=The Straits Times|date=3 November 2016|access-date=23 February 2017}}{{Cite news|url=http://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/fighter-jets-including-new-f-15sg-planes-take-off-from-lim-chu-kang-road-in-rsafs-exercise|title=Fighter jets, including new F-15SG planes, take off from Lim Chu Kang Road in RSAF's Exercise Torrent 13 November 2016|newspaper=The Straits Times|date= |access-date=23 February 2017}}

File:C-123K ROKAF Team Spirit 1989.JPEG Fairchild C-123K Provider aircraft waits to pick up troops at a road runway during the joint South Korean / United States exercise "Team Spirit '89" on 24 March 1989.|alt=]]

{{Expand section|date=January 2025}}

As with North Korea, South Korea has also established a number of road runways.

{{Expand section|date=January 2025}}

A large number of road runways were built in the former USSR ({{Langx|ru|Аэродромный Участок Дороги}}, 'airfield part of road').

Tamil separatist group Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) operated in northern Sri Lanka prior to their elimination in 2009, used highways as road runways.{{Cite news|title=Ltte air strip captured on Pooneryn-Paranthan road|url=https://www.slguardian.org/2008/11/ltte-air-strip-captured-on-pooneryn-paranthan-road/|publisher=Sri Lanka Guardian|date=November 2008|access-date=24 September 2017|archive-date=24 September 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170924095108/https://www.slguardian.org/2008/11/ltte-air-strip-captured-on-pooneryn-paranthan-road/|url-status=dead}}{{Cite news|title=The Sunday Times|url=http://www.sundaytimes.lk/081116/latestnews/26.html|website=SundayTimes.lk}}

File:Gripen taking off from road runway.jpg of the Swedish Air Force taking off from a road runway.]]

{{Main|Bas 60|Bas 90}}

Sweden started establishing road runways ({{Langx|sv|reservvägbaser}}) as alternative bases with the introduction of the Bas 60 system in the late 1950s. The Six-Day War in 1967 (where the Egyptian Air Force was grounded by a quick surprise attack on airbases) and the introduction of long range attack aircraft (primarily the Su-24) inspired further development, resulting in the Bas 90 system. Improvements in the Bas 90 system included construction of short backup runways in the direct vicinity of the airbases and further dispersion of ground operations. The Viggen and the Gripen were both designed with STOL capability in order to utilise shorter runways.{{Cite web|last=Rystedt|first=Jörgen|date=2005-10-01|url=http://www.fht.nu/Dokument/Flygvapnet/flyg_publ_dok_flygbassystemet_bas_60.pdf|title=Flygbassystem 60|website=FHT.nu}}{{Cite web|last=Rystedt|first=Jörgen|date=2009-04-25|url=http://www.fht.nu/Dokument/Flygvapnet/flyg_publ_dok_flygbassystem_90.pdf|title=Flygbassystem 90|website=FHT.nu}}{{Cite web|last=Törnell|first=Bernt|date=2007-02-05|url=https://www.forsvarsmakten.se/siteassets/5-information-och-fakta/historia/vagbaserna/fortv-2007-1.pdf|title=Svenska militära flygbaser|website=Forsvarsmakten.se}}{{Cite web|last=Andersson|first=Lennart|date=2006-11-23|url=https://www.forsvarsmakten.se/siteassets/5-information-och-fakta/historia/vagbaserna/fortv_rapport_2006.1.pdf|title=Svenska reservvägbaser|website=Forsvarsmakten.se}}

The Swedish Air Force did not practice using their road bases for around a decade in the early 21st century, but in 2015 and 2016, its Saab JAS 39 Gripen fighters participated in Finnish Air Force road base drills. In September 2017, the air force conducted exercises on a number of road bases for the first time in over a decade.{{Cite web|title=Se när JAS Gripen landar – mitt på vägen: "Det är old school"|url=https://www.skaraborgslanstidning.se/article/se-de-historiska-flygningarna-fran-vagen/|website=Skaraborgslanstidning.se|language=sv|access-date=2017-09-22}}{{Cite press release|date=2017-09-01|title=JAS 39 Gripen landar på vägbas på Gotland|url=https://www.mynewsdesk.com/se/forsvarsmakten/pressreleases/jas-39-gripen-landar-paa-vaegbas-paa-gotland-2130748|website=mynewsdesk.com|language=sv|access-date=2017-09-22}}

In preparation for NATO integration, United States aircraft have completed some landings on these road strips in the 2020s, even if they are considered too narrow according to NATO standard, and too short for most military aircraft.

File:X-street.jpg F-5E Tiger II crossing a road between the runway and an aircraft cavern (Mollis airfield, 1999).|alt=]]

A number of road runways called NOLA or NOSTA ({{Langx|de|Notlandepisten}}) were created from 1969 to 2004.{{Cite web|url=http://www.ar.admin.ch/de/armasuisse-immobilien/historische-militaerbauten.html|title=Luftwaffe|website=ar.admin.ch|language=de|publisher=Denkmalschutz - Historische Militärbauten, armasuisse|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210927074318/https://www.ar.admin.ch/de/armasuisse-immobilien/historische-militaerbauten.html|archive-date=27 September 2021}}{{Cite web|last1=Lewis|first1=Peter|last2=Gunti|first2=Peter|last3=Borgeaud|first3=Oliver|date=October 2010|url=https://www.geschichte-muensingen.ch/fileadmin/user_upload/ortsgeschichte_muensingen/dokumente/Notlandespiste_auf_Autobahn.pdf|title=Militärflugplatz Autobahn|website=Geschichte-Muensingen.ch|language=de|publisher= }}{{Cite web|url=https://www.geschichte-muensingen.ch/ortsgeschichte-muensingen/publikationen/publikationen-dritter/|title=Kalter Krieg auf der Autobahn|website=Geschichte-Muensingen.ch|language=de|publisher= |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210308022212/https://www.geschichte-muensingen.ch/ortsgeschichte-muensingen/publikationen/publikationen-dritter/|archive-date=8 March 2021}}

• Oensingen, A1 motorway; training: 1970 STRADA with Venom{{Cite AV media|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TzJemYwrpiE|title=1970: Autobahn Landung|type=YouTube video|publisher= }}
• Münsingen, A6 motorway; training: 1974 STRADA with Venom, Hunter and P-3. 1982 TAUTO with Hunter and Tiger
• Flums, A13 motorway; training: 1977 NOLA with Hunter and anti-aircraft warfare (AA), 1985 TAUTO with Hunter and Tiger
• Alpnach, A8 motorway (NOSTA) connected to Alpnach Air Base; training: 1978 NOSTA with Hunter
• Lodrino, A2 motorway connected to Lodrino Air Base; training: 1991 STRADA with Hunter, Tiger and AA{{Cite AV media|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jHwwAV12TIA|title=Hawker Hunter jets taking off from motorways|type=YouTube video|publisher=}}
• Bex, A9 motorway; training: 1980 ABEX with 36 Hunter{{Cite web|url=http://www.fortlitroz.ch/index.php?p=223IA|title=Aérodrome de fortune|website=Fortlitroz.ch}}{{Dead link|date=August 2024|bot=InternetArchiveBot|fix-attempted=yes}}
• Sion, A9 motorway connected to Sion Airbase; training: 1988 with Tiger{{Cite AV media|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DfypluhBBOs|title=L'armée suisse fait décoller des avions Tigers depuis une autoroute (1988)|type=YouTube video|publisher=RTS}}
• Payerne, A1 motorway connected to Payerne Air Base.

Taiwan built a number of road runways ({{Langx|zh|戰備跑道}}, lit. 'war spare runway').

Following several proposals made by the Joint Thai-US Military Research and Development Center, three road runways were constructed in 1963, and were put out of service in 1975-76.{{Cite web|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=jPs1kgAACAAJ|title=Directory of Potential Highway Airstrips|date=1900 |publisher= Joint Thai-US Military Research and Development Center|access-date=24 December 2024}}

• Route 11, Ban Nom Lom 18°18'03"N 99°24'24"E
• Route 11, Hang Chat 18°19'11"N 99°19'21"E
• Route 11, Ban Klang 18°34'17"N 99°02'38"E

These road runways were most likely operated by the nearby former Lampang Airbase.{{Cite web|url=https://www.mil-airfields.de/aa-world/highway-strips/index.html|title=Highway Strips Around the World|website=Mil-Airfields.de|access-date=24 December 2024}}

During the Cold War, the Royal Air Force (RAF) launched Jaguar aircraft from a newly-completed section of the M55 motorway between Preston and Blackpool.{{Cite web|url=https://ukdefencejournal.org.uk/raf-dispersing-and-operating-jets-from-motorways/|title=RAF considering operating jets from motorways|website=UKDefenceJournal.org.uk|date=22 July 2021}} Areas such as Teesside, Southend, and Liverpool have been considered for road runway areas, as large civilian airports such as Glasgow and Heathrow would be unavailable. Another advantage to this is that the more the jet fighters are spread, the harder it is for the enemy to target.

A persistent myth claims that it is a legal requirement that "one mile in every five must be straight for use as an airstrip in times of war or other emergencies". However, no legislation containing this provision was ever passed. The Defense Highway Act of 1941 provided for the operation of 'flight strips' alongside highways, but did not mandate the use of the road itself.{{Cite magazine|last=Weingroff|first=Richard F.|date=May–June 2000|title=One Mile in Five: debunking the myth|url=https://highways.dot.gov/public-roads/mayjune-2000/one-mile-five-debunking-myth|magazine=Public Roads|publisher=Federal Highway Administration|volume=63|issue=6|access-date=7 March 2021}}{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Uc4tAAAAIAAJ|title="Flight Strips", Their Development from 1935 to 1942, a Selective Annotated Bibliography|date=23 November 1942|publisher=Army Air Forces Library, War Department|location=Washington, D.C.|access-date=7 March 2021}}{{Cite book|editor1-last=Howard|editor1-first=Mingos|date=1937|url=http://www.aia-aerospace.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/THE-1937-AIRCRAFT-YEAR-BOOK.pdf|title=The Aircraft Year Book for 1937|publisher=Aeronautical Chamber of Commerce of America|location=New York|pages=231–232|access-date=7 March 2021|url-status=dead|archive-date=16 August 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210816080911/https://www.aia-aerospace.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/THE-1937-AIRCRAFT-YEAR-BOOK.pdf}}

For Exercise Northern Strike 2021, A-10 Thunderbolt IIs from the 354th Fighter Squadron and the 127th Wing of the Michigan Air National Guard along with two C-146A Wolfhounds from the Air Force Special Operations Command participated in the exercise.{{cite web|url=https://www.af.mil/News/Article-Display/Article/2721902/a-10s-land-on-michigan-state-highway/|accessdate=25 August 2021|title=A-10s land on Michigan state highway|date=6 August 2021 }} The aircraft landed on state highway M-32 as part of Northern Strike 21, a large-scale training exercise, in Alpena, Michigan.{{Cite web|url=https://www.abc12.com/2021/07/29/michigan-air-national-guard-landing-military-jets-m-32-near-alpena/|title=Michigan Air National Guard landing military jets on M-32 near Alpena|website=ABC12.com|date=2021-07-29|access-date=25 August 2021|archive-date=25 August 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210825212247/https://www.abc12.com/2021/07/29/michigan-air-national-guard-landing-military-jets-m-32-near-alpena/|url-status=dead}} This was the first time that United States military aircraft had used highways as airstrips on American soil. The United States Air Force repeated this training with the Rally in Rockies exercise from the 12 to 17 September.{{Cite web|url=https://www.af.mil/News/Article-Display/Article/2779516/airmen-hone-expeditionary-skills-at-rally-in-rockies-exercise/|title=Airmen hone expeditionary skills at Rally in Rockies exercise|website=AF.mil|publisher=United States Air Force|date=17 September 2021}}

File:Motorway 2, Pakistan 10.jpg|Road runway section on Pakistan's M-2 Motorway with removable medians.

File:Thunderbold II A10 landing on autobahn 1984 DoD DF-ST-84-09440.jpg|An A-10 Thunderbolt II aircraft lands on the autobahn A29 near city of Ahlhorn during NATO-exercise "Highway 84".

File:A-10 Thunderbolt II takeoff on Autobahn DoD DF-ST-85-05084.jpg|Rear view of an A-10 Thunderbolt II aircraft as it takes off from the autobahn A29 near city of Ahlhorn during NATO-exercise "Highway 84".

File:C130 Hercules taxidriving on Autobahn DoD DF-ST-84-09439.jpg|Lockheed C-130 Hercules aircraft on taxidrive on the autobahn A29 near city of Ahlhorn during NATO-exercise "Highway 84".

File:Eneryda Flygfaelt 2008A.jpg|Former road runway near Eneryda, Sweden.

File:Optands krigsflygfält.jpg|Kortbana (short runway) at former Optand wartime air base, Sweden. Notice the road becoming wider.

File:C-146A Wolfhound from Hurlburt Field, Florida.jpg|C-146A Wolfhound from Hurlburt Field, Florida, takes off on a public highway in Alpena, Michigan, 5 August 2021

File:A-10 Highway US Michigan 2021 - Landing.jpg|An A-10 Thunderbolt II from Selfridge Air National Guard Base, Michigan, prepares to land on a public highway in Alpena, Michigan, 5 August 2021

File:1000w q75.jpg|Air Force Reserve Command demonstrates strategic depth of combat airlift on Wyoming highway during training exercise,

File:2021-09-15 Han Kuang exercise.jpg|AIDC F-CK-1 Ching-kuo departing from a highway runway in Pingtung County during the 2021 Han Kuang exercise

File:2021-09-14 2503 (aircraft, ROCAF).jpg|Grumman E-2 Hawkeye on display at a highway strip during the 2021 Han Kuang exercise

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