Apache at Wattisham?

[Eraserhead]

Any news on the Apache operations at WTM?
I was told a couple of years ago they would arrive in two years,but no sign yet.
Getting bored with chasing Gazelles around Suffolk and need more of a challenge.

[Talk Split]

First regiment will convert en-mass in 18 months time so expect to see AH at EGUW from end of 2004. Start eating carrots if you want to see them 'cause they are going to end up night flying loads.

[Muff Coupling]

Er..bit out on the old calendar TS,

Dishcloth from Summer 03 - Summer 04 ish
Whatashame first unit Summer 04 - Summer 05 ish, might be a bit earlier, with a bit of cut and paste.

First possible en masse flock of AH around the DUA in the dark, about late 05, if you are lucky..WFM hits about the same time. Might see less of the type airborne than expected.

Eraser,

Best get some bloody good night vision binos, as most crew time will be spent in the FDS (Sim):eek:

[Eraserhead]

TS & MC, thanks for the info.
Won't be holding my breath then.

[owe ver chute]

Hot off the press. First Sqn to Dishclothe Mar 04, then #2 in Sep 04, first to Wattashamble in Mar 05.
These dates are subject to change due to the fluid nature of the Army!;)

[Flatus Veteranus]

Per Ardua ad Profundum! :(

[detgnome]

You'll have to excuse my ignorance here, but I only recently found out that the Apache will not be using NVG, instead relying entirely on FLIR for 'after hours' ops. If this is true, are there any plans to use NVG? Is it NVG compatible or would the use of NVG necessitate an expensive cockpit mod programme?

[Flatus Veteranus]

Please excuse my ignorance too; but should this question be either asked or answered on a public forum? :confused:

[detgnome]

As I understand, it is well known that our American friends operate their Apaches without NVG. Therfore I don't consider that this question relates to anything particularly sneaky beaky.

[Jeep]

Let us hope that santa will bring us one of these for xmas

Arrowhead Link (http://www.ets-news.com/night_rider.htm)

[MightyGem]

Jeep, looking at the example photos, we've got one as good as that already on our new 135. :D
http://www.stopstart.fsnet.co.uk/aircraft/3flypigs.gif

[Jeep]

Have you got airconditioned cockpits as well? If not, I am not interested.

[owe ver chute]

Hey Jeep, how are you enjoying Rucker?

[Jeep]

Mother Rucker is treating this brit just fine.

[owe ver chute]

I'm glad you are enjoying Rucker, have you started teaching yet?

[Jeep]

I give grammar and elocution lessons each day, but they won't let this rookie lose on a student for a few months yet. I am enjoying the World Series of Baseball though, and my dollar just looked a little more secure following the bottom of the eighth innings.

[MightyGem]

Tsk, tsk...only been there 5 minutes, and already he's going native!

You keep your identity boy. Don't let none o that southern hospitality fool ya.
:D

[Rollingthunder]

"New Apache attack helicopters bought by the British Army will
have to be mothballed for up to four years because pilots cannot
be trained in time to fly them.

The National Audit Office (NAO) warns that the delay in the use
of the aircraft worth £3 billion could lead to a "significant
capability gap" for the Army because the missile system on its
ageing Lynx helicopter fleet cannot be upgraded.

The NAO criticised several aspects of the deal to buy the 67
Apache helicopters from Westland in 1995, including a decision
to award the training contract to a separate company and a lack
of vision about adapting the US helicopters to British standards.

The government awarded the training contract to ATIL, a
company jointly owned by Westland and Apache's US
manufacturer Boeing, after deeming Westland's sole offer too
expensive.

But ATIL has suffered a series of mishaps, including technical
hitches with a flight training simulator that delayed its delivery by
17 months.

Also, the duration of the training courses has been extended
from 15 weeks to 26 weeks, partly because the helicopter is
now more sophisticated than first envisaged and partly because
the original programme failed to take into account that many
more flying days are likely to be lost to poor weather in Britain.

Of the helicopters already delivered, 25 have been stored in
hangars. Initial pilot training, originally scheduled for 2001, will
not start until September 2003 because of the lack of a flight
training simulator.

The delivery of a fully equipped regiment of 16 of the helicopters
is on track for February 2005, but another training programme for
144 pilots has been put back from April 2004 to February 2007.

The NAO says between 2002 and 2006 a "large number" of
Apaches, possibly more than half, will have to be stored in
hangars at a base in Shropshire at a cost of £6 million.

The watchdog also says the first Apache crews will have no
secure radio communications with British ground troops or other
helicopters because of delays with the Army's Bowman radio
system - but they will be able to speak to US forces."

The Guardian.

[In Tor Wot]

Just heard about this on the radio as well - SNAFU.

Just as well we gave such a capability to the Army to organise otherwise we might have wasted £47m a frame by sticking it in a hangar for an extra few years.

The words 'organise' 'brewery' and 'couldn't' fit into the phrase.:(

[[email protected]]

A churlish person might be tempted to gloat and say "I told you this would happen". Hands up all those who questioned the wisdom of sidelining TOW before the Apache was on-line.
But it's OK, higher rank means you automatically know better.

[canberra]

why dont the army just give up on aviation and hand it back to the raf? after all the raf has given up its tanks and boats so why dont the army see sense?

[bigley]

Always someone else's fault!

[owe ver chute]

Crabnolonger@saavn.
I recall you being churlish over a beer or two.
Then again, so was I!!!!
How you keepin' mate?

[Black E]

Could I just remind you all that the boss of the AHIPT wears Dark Blue, as do a number of the key players in the IPT; a couple of light blue uniforms have been let in as well, so leave the poor pongos alone and blame the WAFUs.......:eek:

[timzsta]

Understand from the press that the Apache is fitted for, but not with, a Pilot.