What is more interesting about the report is the overall % reduction in operational capability, that this un-surprising, (bearing in mind MR4, ASTOR, AH - contract signed in 96, BOWMAN - 16 years behind ISD, Typhoon - now LOC 07!..the list goes on) episode underpins. UK SF are hardly crying in their bergans about the HC3's...they will be out buying something more cheap and cheerful (more likley capable as well..like UH60 or such).
If 1xChinook is roughly about 2% of the lift capability of the JHC, add this 16% to the 38% already quoted as diffy and we are less than half capable of moving ground forces by rotary means and unable to move Bootys at all if the math is correct (87% in the litterol + 16 = 103)..ah that's the reason why the Sea Kings are in the next round of cuts....they have already been sold! Its also beginning to look like the afore mentioned formation, is not able to meet its mission. Wasn't it formed to centrally control & command; planning, training,deployments, logistics and maint of all BH, to improve / rationalise practices - to enable MORE resources to support the Army / RM?
1 UK Div bailed out by the USMC AH on Telic. An Air Assault Bde that has never assaulted anything since it was formed - tabbed it into Basra (no MT/AFV available from 7 Armd) and with the distinct lack of lift capability, a much extolled "the way ahead" Air Manoeuvre doctrine in tatters, that looks like a non starter until after 2020!
So..looks like re-inventing the wheel and putting all rotary assets back to a single service, flown by SNCO's!, (the RAF can then justify keeping all those 1000's of Officer pilots for the very sophisticated Typhoon's...well after 2008ish anyway), save the 127 Million needed to put the HC3's to right s by buying shed loads of UH1N's and if defence cuts are needed..the IPT's look hot favourites.
All the above, only my opinion..to generate healthy debate..of course!!
