Guided Weapons,
At this stage (pre-Planning Round) I think I will put my slice on hold if it is ok with you - and please remember that I have only watched with interest at how the hierarchy of all 3 services have gone for the jugular as the treasury have taken a step back rubbing their hands with glee as we fight amongst ourselves.
My personal stance on this has always been that our light blue staff officers have always seemed to be one step ahead of your dark blue bretheren - just look at the actually amazement how Harrier and the carrier removal from service caused such draw dropping shock. You have to admit it was a very bold and risky move by CAS to make a land grab for Merlin only the day after SDSR, that again you must admit looked as though it would pay off for us.
I actually respond to strong leadership (even if bad news) and where it has been distinctly lacking with our own CAS, and I suppose judging by the Fishead posts, also 1SL - I do accept (and respect) a Prime Minister that actually grips a situation and makes a decision.
MGD
I know it is going to be emotional for us (and to be straight I think the Fisheads may come to regret their enthusiasm for taking over the Freaks - by all accounts it is not a happy place to be at the moment)......but....
Lets stop it, certainly at our level....lets move on. You and I can rest assured that we actually operate the aircraft that guys on the ground really want and also in the fact that hopefully now that the Fisheads do have a new toy that the likes of you and I do not have to waste months of our lives on that morale vacuum known as the O Boat (or any other Fishead floaty thing).
We have some work to do (together) if we are going to get anywhere in the future (and I think about that Afghan crocodile that is still very much the closest to our canoe) and start to put all of this negative rubbish behind us now.