216 "Buzzin'" Sqn

[Chris Kebab]

https://www.janes.com/article/93654/uk-targets-april-for-swarming-drones-development-unit

[Onceapilot]

Amusingly, Two-Sixteen going from the heaviest to the lightest aircraft in the RAF. :)
Good luck to them!

OAP

[1771 DELETE]

We will soon have more squadrons than aircraft !

[Union Jack]

We will soon have more squadrones than aircraft !

Fixed that for you....

Jack

[Bob Viking]

A classic grumpy old git, Pprune post.

Just to put your mind at ease a quick peruse of Wikipedia shows the current RAF inventory as being 649 active aircraft (not including BBMF before someone gets smart).

Any of those are actually very modern and capable platforms as well. Obviously some will be retiring shortly and some new ones will come online.

So, whilst the pure numbers can’t compete with history it’s not all doom and gloom.

BV

Oh and I should add that whilst many on here will grumble about ‘drone’ technology I think we can all agree it is very relevant and an important modern capability.

[downsizer]

A classic grumpy old git, Pprune post.

Just to put your mind at ease a quick peruse of Wikipedia shows the current RAF inventory as being 649 active aircraft (not including BBMF before someone gets smart).

Any of those are actually very modern and capable platforms as well. Obviously some will be retiring shortly and some new ones will come online.

So, whilst the pure numbers can’t compete with history it’s not all doom and gloom.

BV

Oh and I should add that whilst many on here will grumble about ‘drone’ technology I think we can all agree it is very relevant and an important modern capability.

Mate, why do you bother.....? ;)

[Bob Viking]

Faaaaaaar too much time on my hands!

BV

[Video Mixdown]

Is this the UK end of Boeing's 'Loyal Wingman' project? The reference to Five Eyes participation would suggest it. First flight due this year.
https://www.defensenews.com/digital-show-dailies/avalon/2019/02/27/boeing-unveils-loyal-wingman-drone/

[MPN11]

Is this the UK end of Boeing's 'Loyal Wingman' project? The reference to Five Eyes participation would suggest it. First flight due this year.
https://www.defensenews.com/digital-show-dailies/avalon/2019/02/27/boeing-unveils-loyal-wingman-drone/
I hope it has a viable trimming system.

[NutLoose]

A congratulations, and just think of the possible savings, paint 1 Typhoon red and 8 drones and you have a new display team with a single pilot. ;)

[Duchess_Driver]

paint 1 Typhoon red and 8 drones and you have a new display team with a single pilot. https://www.pprune.org/images/smilies/wink2.gif

Thread drift: the Singapore New Years celebrations were a formation of drones - very interesting to watch. a few more than 9 tho!

[jindabyne]

A classic grumpy old git, PPRuNe post.

Lighten up Bob - don't take the bait. You'll be one soon enough!
Cheers

[Bob Viking]

You’re absolutely right of course. That’s what happens when I haven’t flown for a while. I get jittery. Solved that particular problem today though. Feeling much better.

BV

[Mogwi]

Just think of the savings in flying rations!

[Herod]

Just think of the savings in flying rations!

Yep. Greatly improved health, less medical costs. I used to think there was more nutrition in the cardboard box than the contents.

[Davef68]

I would have thought, for drones, 213 would be more appropriate

[NorthSouth]

Interesting, but where will they train with them? Ought to be Spadeadam of course, but they'd have to close down all the airspace around it too

[drustsonoferp]

No location announced. Llanbedr?

[Chris Kebab]

Location is a very interesting aspect. They manage to get Watchkeeper over the A303 into the SPTA from Boscombe despite the number of "incidents" it has had - so maybe there? Unless they do all the development work in the States/Australia, lots of suitable segregated airspace there?

[Abbey Road]

I see that the Jane's article about the 216 Sqn reactivation states:
The RAF plans to field a 'swarming drones' capability to add mass to its capable but numerically limited aircraft. 216 Squadron will be stood-up on 1 April to develop this concept.
1st April? ;)

[Herod]

1st April?

Very auspicious date.
1.4.18, formation of the world's premier air force
1.4.65 commissioning of one aviation obsessed young man.

[Davef68]

Interesting, but where will they train with them? Ought to be Spadeadam of course, but they'd have to close down all the airspace around it too

USA or Australia (Woomera) are other options

[Mil-26Man]

Seems 216 Squadron stood-up today at Waddington...

https://twitter.com/GarethJennings3/status/1245247278102740993

[Old-Duffer]

I recall a very wise old man who said something along the lines of: "When you introduce a new concept, which your potential enemies might take up, you also need to develop the counter to it"

Old Duffer