Big savings on the crew as well - almost half that of the E3D. The Wedgetail uses 2 pilots and between 6-10 mission crew. It would possibly see a change in the numbers and type of rear crew we need as well. Would it be the catalyst to finally take the Airborne Fighter Controllers into the aircrew fold rather than the ridiculous set up where none of them want to be promoted to Sqn Ldr as they will take a pay cut!!!
Also, that would be the end of the Air Engineer and the final aircraft to operate with a Air Navigator, in a true navigation role, would be the RJ. Also, with the Sentinel OSD looming then there will be no more Airborne Imagery Analysts (IAs).
it’s time to rationalise the Branch again into a much tidier Pilot/WSO/WSOp cadre and get rid of the “non-aircrew” fudges (FC, IA and AT) - if you operate the aircraft and the capabilities within in it then you should be called Aircrew as either a Pilot, WSO or WSOp. If you don’t then you aren’t Aircrew - it really is that simple!