AHA....!
This explains everything...almost.
Okay, this is what we have so far (from a Lon Mil perspective):
1. Claxby radar is dodgey. We had a memo that basically said, 'Claxby gets dodgey in excessive wind speeds, expect it to be switched off at no notice' - Obviously a problem with the head & not with the processing software.)
2. The sectors formally known as 'North Sea' (SFKANS) have been advised to reduce capacity, either at LAS level or otherwise.
3. From my experience, on random days (maybe co-incident with watch changes at Swanick), sector capacity on SFKANS has been reduced to the extent that a certain operator (operating predominantly, in the early morning, UK to EHAM) has taken the commercially sensible decision of operating 'off-route' in order that their customers may meet their connection at Ship-hole.
4. Said operator places phone call in advance to Lon Mil, with explanation of problem and a request of provision of RAS, (Operator is aware of ludicrously inadequate flight plan processing system at Mil unit), for each individual flight.
5. Mil unit explains that they would be more than happy to offer service, but unlike a similar service provided by a civil unit in the North, provision of service will be subject to traffic load, with a clearly defined priority list, (and a clearly demonstrated incident investigation procedure!) and as such, can not be guaranteed in advance...
6. ...However, provision of service is very rarely refused and a RAS is applied, with the same separation criteria as, and sometimes against traffic being worked by, the SFKANS - and get this bit - using the same Claxby Radar!
So, my points are:
If it is true, why is SFKANS being made to work to stoopid criteria that may possibly be circumvented by provision of a Procedural Service?
If the Claxby Radar is so unreliable, why hasn't it been serviced?
If the Claxby Radar is so unreliable, why are 'the mil' still using it to provide min sep for RAS & RC in MRSA/CAS?
Why does a major ATC provider like Lon Mil not have a robust (cool buzzword) FPRS in place?
Why can a £65M ATCC (proclaimed to be the most modern in Europe/The World) not work out it's own MSFL?
Rgds,
Hippy
Okay, the last question is a bit off track, but WHY?