Originally Posted by
SLXOwft
I think FB's point may be the (perhaps to we of a certain age) small size of the airforces we now have given HMG's ambitions.
With my Sharkey helmet on my answer is yes, and the FAA should be properly equipped to do it.
In reality, I would have thought it comes down to whether or not one needs a special variant to do it, or it can be managed by upgrading the standard equipent fit. Back in the days of Sea Eagle there were two squadrons with the role specific Tornado GR1B and prior to that the Buccaneer was specifically designed for he role and in th RAF specific squadrons tasked in the maritime attack role. Perhaps in these days of data links and networked battlespace with the guy/gal in the cockpit effectively being both pilot and WSO the days of specialism are over?
Perhaps not a question for a public forum but I would like to know if QWIs are currently training pilots on the maritime attack role.
And further still SLXOwft, how are the Typhoon squadrons deployed? Is everything squeezed into the training programme of each unit? Are the squadrons assigned specific roles meaning out of seven squadrons there are now about four or five operational roles; Air Defence, Maritime Attack, Close Air Support, Interdiction, Armed Reconnaissance. I'm not entirely up to speed with the more obscure jargon which appears to be in use today, but all these roles, whatever the aircraft they flew, and their were aircraft types and dedicated crews for each and several of each, are now carried out by any Typhoon pilot who can deploy on an anti-shipping role in the morning and then fly GCI controlled intercept in the afternoon while carrying out a low-level attack on a target inside hostile territory the next. Not all at once of course, but expected to be current in all and more. I'll accept that its the case that the latest few Typhoons can do this and more interestingly, so can the pilots. If so the Typhoon is a truly remarkable aircraft, but are there enough?
FB