Private Funded Air defence
Hi Gonzo,
Background to my remarks, and with the caveat that I retired in '99 and am an old fart so things may have changed.
ADGE radars
In the days of the T80/84/85 static radars these could be used by MATO/NATS, because they were static and had had extensive polar diagram/trials coverage.
When we introduced the mobile T91/92/93/102 series, with multiple mobile sites, these were not considered usable Which is what lead to the death of Highland and Border radars and the the co-ordination suite at Neatishead as a consequences.
NATS radars
When they started to feed in the NATS radars to UKADGE the MoD shut down Portreath, Ty Croes, Bishops Court etc. About 4 years later NATO found out the replacement sensors were SSR only and went ballistic. They didn't give a damn about the UK east coast, but the periphery had to be covered, so we had to move radars back again (which meant robbing the east coast sites so they were left with the T93s (crap and not fit for purpose) and the NATS feed.
The problem with the NATS feed being they were mainly SSR (at long range, the short range primary for airfield control not be fed, only the SSR), and even when the primary failed there was no indication.I had many occasions when I suddenly realised I was controlling above 245 in the MRSA using SSR only.
ORAC: IC, FA, MC, IDRO. TPO, RO 1975-1999.
Background to my remarks, and with the caveat that I retired in '99 and am an old fart so things may have changed.
ADGE radars
In the days of the T80/84/85 static radars these could be used by MATO/NATS, because they were static and had had extensive polar diagram/trials coverage.
When we introduced the mobile T91/92/93/102 series, with multiple mobile sites, these were not considered usable Which is what lead to the death of Highland and Border radars and the the co-ordination suite at Neatishead as a consequences.
NATS radars
When they started to feed in the NATS radars to UKADGE the MoD shut down Portreath, Ty Croes, Bishops Court etc. About 4 years later NATO found out the replacement sensors were SSR only and went ballistic. They didn't give a damn about the UK east coast, but the periphery had to be covered, so we had to move radars back again (which meant robbing the east coast sites so they were left with the T93s (crap and not fit for purpose) and the NATS feed.
The problem with the NATS feed being they were mainly SSR (at long range, the short range primary for airfield control not be fed, only the SSR), and even when the primary failed there was no indication.I had many occasions when I suddenly realised I was controlling above 245 in the MRSA using SSR only.
ORAC: IC, FA, MC, IDRO. TPO, RO 1975-1999.
Bishops Court was closed in July 1990 because of the cost of force protection after the place was mortered by the PIRA in Sept 1989 and the gap in coverage was covered when the Wattisham T94 was installed at Ty-Croes in July 1991 (though not operational until late 91).
Type 91 radars were sold aboard I do seem to recall and the Type 93's were kept because they were suppose to be better against ECM. After they dealt with the spares shortage on the kit and fixed sited the kits (Antenna in radomes on towers and cabins in shelters), it did tend to be reliable.
When NATS feeds came in during the mid 1990's Portreath lost it's radar and Ty-Croes was closed. Portreath did get a radar back, but that was after the events of 11-09-2001.
Last edited by MAINJAFAD; 11th Apr 2010 at 23:08.
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@greengranite
Were gas and coal powered stations to pay for output of carbon dioxide to the atmosphere the financial situation would look rather different. That's not an entirely unfeasible future condition.
It's not secret that the load factor of windfarms comes out around 0.25, but if this nation is to move away from polluting methods of power generation there is little alternative to a broad spectrum of generation.
Really fundamental conflicts of interest at a national level are where I'd love to see some true gov't leadership.
Were gas and coal powered stations to pay for output of carbon dioxide to the atmosphere the financial situation would look rather different. That's not an entirely unfeasible future condition.
It's not secret that the load factor of windfarms comes out around 0.25, but if this nation is to move away from polluting methods of power generation there is little alternative to a broad spectrum of generation.
Really fundamental conflicts of interest at a national level are where I'd love to see some true gov't leadership.
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Defending US Airspace
ES: Actually the defense of US airspace is controlled by NORAD, a joint US and Canadian command. Both countries maintain some level of alert aircraft and cross border policies are in place. However, most of the time a US aircraft will launch for a US intrusion mainly due to placement and time of flight. Reverse is also true, but all alert launches ordered by NORAD.
More bang for your buck
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Were gas and coal powered stations to pay for output of carbon dioxide to the atmosphere the financial situation would look rather different. That's not an entirely unfeasible future condition.
And there's always the nuclear option.
It's not just the ASACS Radar at Trimingham that will be affected by those windfarms as NATS has a Watchman ATC Radar just up the coast towards Overstrand. Surely those wind turbines will have the same effect on the radar pictue from that kit.
More bang for your buck
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Never mind they wont be here very long.
From Yachting Monthly:
From Yachting Monthly:
Wind turbines around the UK are sinking into the sea because their foundations are suffering from subsidence, according to Dong Energy, a Danish wind turbine owner, The Sun newspaper reports.
A wind farm off Essex and another in Liverpool Bay have been found to have the flaw and checks are to be made of turbines at Blyth, Northumberland and Robin Rigg in the Solway Firth.
Up to 336 of the UK's turbines are at risk and will take £50 million to fix.
A wind farm off Essex and another in Liverpool Bay have been found to have the flaw and checks are to be made of turbines at Blyth, Northumberland and Robin Rigg in the Solway Firth.
Up to 336 of the UK's turbines are at risk and will take £50 million to fix.
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I'm all for the nuclear option - all pollution in one relatively known and controlled spot, rather than in the atmosphere with global impact.
I do not, for one second believe that the theory behind global warming is under any threat whatsoever. Errors of judgement and mistakes aside, the case is compelling. A scientific model, honed after years of further research, and back up by observation in the real world.
When you can predict what ought to happen based on carbon dioxide in the atmosphere, can prove the ppm count of carbon dioxide actually present, and then make measurements that fit the model, it takes a rather drastic leap to ignore it.
Errors in time/scale based on a science dependant on so many variables should not come as a surprise, but that is quite different to doubting whether it's happening at all.
I do not, for one second believe that the theory behind global warming is under any threat whatsoever. Errors of judgement and mistakes aside, the case is compelling. A scientific model, honed after years of further research, and back up by observation in the real world.
When you can predict what ought to happen based on carbon dioxide in the atmosphere, can prove the ppm count of carbon dioxide actually present, and then make measurements that fit the model, it takes a rather drastic leap to ignore it.
Errors in time/scale based on a science dependant on so many variables should not come as a surprise, but that is quite different to doubting whether it's happening at all.
Private Funded Air defence?
Modulated message on air defence radar:
"This is a message from our sponsor, Flashbang Funeral Directors. We are offering a special all-in deal of coffin, cars and wailing wenches if you call right away! You have thirty seconds to get the deal of a lifetime; the SAMs are on their way - call now!"
Modulated message on air defence radar:
"This is a message from our sponsor, Flashbang Funeral Directors. We are offering a special all-in deal of coffin, cars and wailing wenches if you call right away! You have thirty seconds to get the deal of a lifetime; the SAMs are on their way - call now!"
Its civiee name is the the Commander SL - The Decca Legacy - Chapter 7
