JSF and A400M at risk?
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Huh
So if I understood correctly, this was a fixed price contract for 25 x A400M to be delivered starting anytime soon - 2011?
Now, our friends in industry - and not BAES for once - got a few sums wrong and are going to lose a packet of money. And they're running late due to unforeseen circumstances - like;
(i) Certification paperwork not done for engines
(ii) Has different engineering requirements to a passenger jet
(iii) We can't manage A380
Ah.
So, let's pick the correct response:
(A) Bin the order, get our money back and buy C-17, C-130J and CH-47 [
]
(B) Bin the order, get our money back and use the dosh to fill the hole in the EP post PR09 [
]
(C) Recognise that lift is an essential precondition for expeditionary warfare, bin the order, get our money back, add it to some extra cash from the Treasury and buy C-17, C-130J and CH-47F/G [
]
(D) Stay put, accept a 32% cost increase and fund it by cutting the number of airframes and accept the delay whilst we flog aircraft on well past their revised OSD. [
]
And the winner is......
D!
Well done Bob and MoD....
S41
Now, our friends in industry - and not BAES for once - got a few sums wrong and are going to lose a packet of money. And they're running late due to unforeseen circumstances - like;
(i) Certification paperwork not done for engines
(ii) Has different engineering requirements to a passenger jet
(iii) We can't manage A380
Ah.
So, let's pick the correct response:
(A) Bin the order, get our money back and buy C-17, C-130J and CH-47 [
](B) Bin the order, get our money back and use the dosh to fill the hole in the EP post PR09 [
](C) Recognise that lift is an essential precondition for expeditionary warfare, bin the order, get our money back, add it to some extra cash from the Treasury and buy C-17, C-130J and CH-47F/G [
](D) Stay put, accept a 32% cost increase and fund it by cutting the number of airframes and accept the delay whilst we flog aircraft on well past their revised OSD. [
]And the winner is......
D!
Well done Bob and MoD....
S41
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"Germany is refusing to renegotiate its A400M contract". They stand to get the biggest share of A400Ms and seem to have the right idea. I hope that 19 versus 25 for-the-same-money Les Echos report is false.
Meanwhile...
Northrop Grumman has begun assembling the centre fuselage for the first F-35B (BK-1) for the UK.
Photo Release -- Northrop Grumman Begins Producing First International F-35 Joint Strike Fighter (NYSE:NOC)
Meanwhile...
Northrop Grumman has begun assembling the centre fuselage for the first F-35B (BK-1) for the UK.
Photo Release -- Northrop Grumman Begins Producing First International F-35 Joint Strike Fighter (NYSE:NOC)
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Now, our friends in industry - and not BAES for once -
Northrop Grumman has begun assembling the centre fuselage for the first F-35B (BK-1) for the UK.
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BK-1 sounds more like a 1980's training shoe to me! British Knights - how apt for our new stealth fighter jet. Looks a bit like a trainer too....
...reminds himself not to drink and type ramblings on a Friday night.....
...reminds himself not to drink and type ramblings on a Friday night.....
In his recent report, Mr Haddon-Cave QC highlighted some issues that arose because of the continual slippage of the Nimrod MR2 out of service date. With further delays to the A-400M certian, I hope any engineering issues with the C-130K that were originally postponed, or deemed not necessary, because it was shortly due to be retired are to be re-examined thoroughly.
Until recently I'm sure I would have taken it for granted that such things would obviously happen, but in the light of the H-C report....
Until recently I'm sure I would have taken it for granted that such things would obviously happen, but in the light of the H-C report....
Champagne anyone...?
I hope any engineering issues with the C-130K that were originally postponed, or deemed not necessary, because it was shortly due to be retired are to be re-examined thoroughly.
SS
Apologies, having no local knowledge of what's going on at Lyneham I was assuming the A-400M was partly intended to replace the venerable K as per the MOD mantra.
I bow to your more informed input!!
Apologies, having no local knowledge of what's going on at Lyneham I was assuming the A-400M was partly intended to replace the venerable K as per the MOD mantra.
I bow to your more informed input!!
Champagne anyone...?
No apologies necessary Biggus - I think I was still a little overwrought after John and Edward's performance on X-Factor....
The A400M will obviously provide additional airlift capability but for the MoD to suggest it will replace the poor old K is like suggesting that the Typhoon is a replacement for the Lightning. The K is well past its sell by date and the output it delivers to Defence is massively outweighed by the money and manpower that are poured into it.
The A400M will obviously provide additional airlift capability but for the MoD to suggest it will replace the poor old K is like suggesting that the Typhoon is a replacement for the Lightning. The K is well past its sell by date and the output it delivers to Defence is massively outweighed by the money and manpower that are poured into it.
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More C17's plus a few J's please.
Now then, about the X factor, haven't you got a dog that needs a long walk Scotch takes me to dark places on occasions but not to those depths...
Now then, about the X factor, haven't you got a dog that needs a long walk
Scotch takes me to dark places on occasions but not to those depths...
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Meanwhile ...
The first A400M is now undergoing fuel system and fuselage pressure tests before returning into the hangar for engine installation and further progress towards first flight, which Airbus Miliotary say they are increasingly confident that it will take place on (the latest/new) schedule ...
Now THAT's progress ! And all the best to all who are working to make the programme the success it deserves.
Now THAT's progress ! And all the best to all who are working to make the programme the success it deserves.
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Pre-Christmas thought ...
Well, X-Ray Hotel, there's about 6 weeks to go before first lift-off and then the proving of the pudding will really start and the poor IT-guys deep within Europrop wil know if their re-write of that hugely complicated software is OK, and the aircraft handles right too ... I still wish the whole team well, having followed this story right from its earliest days under EADS/Airbus previous management ...
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I still think SS is correct - lets bin the C130K now along with the reduced A400M order.
Use common sense and buy more C130J/C17 now!
The last costing to take the C130K onto 2017 was £325M for 9 platforms
How many C130Js for that??
Defence are so desperate that they even considered buying 5 ex RSAF C130E models
And before anyone bites - I am a C130K operator
Use common sense and buy more C130J/C17 now!
The last costing to take the C130K onto 2017 was £325M for 9 platforms
How many C130Js for that??Defence are so desperate that they even considered buying 5 ex RSAF C130E models
And before anyone bites - I am a C130K operator
Champagne anyone...?
isaneng - if I was looking for a bite I'd post something contraversial.
Not the slightest bit interested in yet more petty J/K cock waving. 15 years at Lyneham and a good few thousand hours on both types gives me, I believe, at least a minor position of authority from which to speak. My "concern" is that our little corner of the AT world continually fails to make the hard decisions it needs to if it is to be of any service to Defence at large. Continually tipping money we can't spare (and that would be much better spent elsewhere) into a very tired, old aircraft on the basis of some arguments that are, at best, flimsy and at worst specious, is not the way we are going to improve that.
JP - I'm sure the A400M will be marvellous when it finally appears. Unfortunately, that appearance is a moveable (in one direction) feast which only serves to increase the strain on the existing AT fleet. More C17s/C130Js is an "immediate" solution to an immediate problem.
Not the slightest bit interested in yet more petty J/K cock waving. 15 years at Lyneham and a good few thousand hours on both types gives me, I believe, at least a minor position of authority from which to speak. My "concern" is that our little corner of the AT world continually fails to make the hard decisions it needs to if it is to be of any service to Defence at large. Continually tipping money we can't spare (and that would be much better spent elsewhere) into a very tired, old aircraft on the basis of some arguments that are, at best, flimsy and at worst specious, is not the way we are going to improve that.
JP - I'm sure the A400M will be marvellous when it finally appears. Unfortunately, that appearance is a moveable (in one direction) feast which only serves to increase the strain on the existing AT fleet. More C17s/C130Js is an "immediate" solution to an immediate problem.