Originally Posted by
LateArmLive
Yes, this is a bit of a can of worms. Any meaningful combat capability costs money, but, and it's a big but, if you combine the procurement for a future aggressor force / fleet support / JTAC training etc with your advanced trainer, then you could potentially make some signinficant long-term savings whilst significantly increasing FL capability. (And it's called something like the F/A-50!)
That way, you'd get a capable training aricraft that is somewhat representative of the current UK FL capabilities as well as a common fleet for Red Air (because fighting bizjets has been pointless for years now). The issue will be the larger initial procurement cost, so I sadly don't see it happening. The UK is a world leader in short-sighted procurement and the idiocy of saving money in the short term to cripple future capability.
Doesn't this reasoning actually fit nicely with the Aeralis business model? I am pretty sure they have been courting the Red Air providers and gaining an understanding of their requirements. Start off with the urgently required Red Arrow's T1 replacement which certainly does not need any of the clever bells and whitles of Embedded Training Systems and threat/sensor emulators - all the Reds need is a jet with nice Red paint, good handling qualities, good thrust response (might need a tweaked engine) and a smoke system. Cockpit needs simple avionics and a Martin Baker ejection seat (which the T-7 does not have). Whilst you are getting these first jets flying you are working on your training system probably followed in close order by your Aggressor solution - which does not need to carry or deploy actual weapons. Hey presto, next step is your UCAV fitted out for the roles you most need at that time.
I don't think that Aeralis will build ALL the different options that they are portraying at present, but the current "urgent need" to get the Reds a new mount actually helps in my opinion.
On the matter of funding, I actually think that having the development funds coming from non-treasury sources will result in far better scrutiny and accountability. When the MoD buy stuff the money does not come out of anyone's pocket so there is not imperative to ensure the funds are being well used. Investors want to get their money back and with interest. HMG often justify the development costs by claiming that they will recoup them in export sales, rarely does this pan out. I am sure Barzan have done their homework and due diligence before offering up a considerable chunk of dosh, they see a profit in the business.
T