Originally Posted by
GlosMikeP
Cutting up ZH105 was a seriously bad decision.
https://abpic.co.uk/pictures/full_si...2838-large.jpg
That aircraft cost around £150m when it arrived in 1993. How anyone came to the conclusion it was better as scrap after minor damage than be fixed and returned to service is beyond comprehension. I'm amazed it hasn't been raised by the Defence Select Committee as a point of egregious, shocking waste for which someone should be held accountable.
As for the fleet being, perhaps, too far gone; I doubt it. If we can bring 50+ year old Airseeker airframes back from the boneyard to airworthy condition, and that the 6 remaining E-3Ds are still flying, there's not much that can't be fixed. Certainly the Block 40/45 upgrade would rejuvenate the fleet for another 20-30 years - and would also do as we said we would at the outset: keep our aircraft aligned with the global fleet and so save on development and upgrade costs. Someone forgot that bit by the look of it when they cancelled our Project Eagle (40/45 upgrade).
Crackers!
Sadly, a 40/45 update would not make the aircraft anymore serviceable or, available. The USAF are having the same old airframe issues with their E-3Gs.
Wedgtail or bust. It’s a great capability and would take us forward with airborne C2 until 2045.