Originally Posted by
Asturias56
I can't see ANY politician agreeing to close down the Reds - they ARE the RAF to 95% of UK voters
Maybe given rhe comment in post #191 above (re UAVs) that will cease to be the case? - among the young anyway.
Originally Posted by
Darth49
A replacement Red Arrows / AJT aircraft requires first deliveries around 2929. After being ‘forced’ into a political Hawk T2 solution in 2002 there will almost certainly be a competition this time around. This has to be launched next year. The competition will be for a training solution and will specify that contenders must be low risk, in production and certifiable in the UK. This will exclude development and ‘paper’ aircraft.
The only 3 viable contenders are the BAES / Boeing /SAAB T7, the Leonardo 346 and the KAI T50. Realistically looking at UK content and regulations the competition will be between the T7 and the 346 Block20. Either will make an excellent AJT.
L-39 not a viable contender?