Originally Posted by
SirToppamHat
I do wonder whether a replacement for the E-3D needs to be in its image, or even crewed to the same extent (or in the same way).
There is plenty of evidence, even at Waddington itself, of remote operations, keeping pink bodies in the UK.
The back end operators could stay on the ground and be available to operate alongside the desperately undermanned teams in the CRCs - and with the right comms in place, they could operate from the CRCs themselves.
Awaits incoming.
No incoming but it tends to work out cheaper to have the bandwidth onboard rather than fighting for satellite time, especially for a nation that has precious few of them for military use. For the weapons team the update rate is critical to any intercept. Introduce satellite delay into a demanding EW and evading target scenario and you will have a world of hurt. To date, manned platform have also proved to be easier and more flexible to operate - especially when operating in or near civilian traffic; that will improve of course but we really need something that is proven.