Although it seems to make sense from the point of view of airframe commonality and being slightly more up threat, is this further signalling a reduction in the E-7 order?
With 8 going back to Lossie and 5 for the chop, if 51 go elsewhere as speculated, does it make operational sense to consolidate 14 and 54 at Lossie so the 'Locally Piloted' ISTAR force isn't split over three stations? Waddo then becomes the centre for RPAS and when 216 becomes fully operational swarm technology with RAFAT for company.
(My naughty thought was they are a piloted swarm)
Does anyone know if XIII or 39 will disband once 31 becomes fully operational on Protector or will it be in addition to the existing squadrons?