SARH Cuts/Suspensions. (Merged)
I don't own this space under my name. I should have leased it while I still could
Containers to or from the big big container ships will be delivered to or collected from the container port and not delivereddirect to the ship. They can be delivered to the port at any time with even perishable cargoes being preserved in special ISO.
The trucks will as likely be heading for the ferries and thus less dependent on tides but rigidly bound to their tachographs and the ferry timetable.
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The container lorries are leaving Felixstowe so they can arrive ,unload and return back in daylight hours! There is little point in arriving at your destination in the middle of the night if there is nobody there to unload you .
So what's wrong with working a nightshift then..........? Makes perfect sense to push the heavies outside of normal commuting times, and save a fortune on having to widen the road, plus improve the road safety. It is no different to the railways, 70% of all freight is moved between 2359 - 0600.
And with the money the Govt saves, it could be redirected to buy new airframes for the SAR Force (and potentially SH) (RN/RAF) and not have to shell out again for another PFI that fails to deliver!
And the airframe could be the new 'future rotorcraft'! However, no more CH47s please!
And with the money the Govt saves, it could be redirected to buy new airframes for the SAR Force (and potentially SH) (RN/RAF) and not have to shell out again for another PFI that fails to deliver!
And the airframe could be the new 'future rotorcraft'! However, no more CH47s please!
Last edited by Could be the last?; 19th Jun 2010 at 10:21.
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What are the odds of a Merlin Force with blades that do not fold re-equipping UK RAF/RN SAR across the board. Whilst flogging off/scrapping the Sea Queens and buying more CH47 with "Joint" crews?
It is about time "Joint" helicopter force really was amalgamated or the idea knocked on the head. I had cause the visit a JHC ground support unit with RAF/Army staffing and it was quite clear that "Joint" is spelt with an "A"; there was no compromise of rules and regulations and the Army ones were positively anal. The RN have equivelent sections/sqns yet maintain geographic distance as an autonomous unit. There are pennies to be saved with jointery, but it is not happening.
It is about time "Joint" helicopter force really was amalgamated or the idea knocked on the head. I had cause the visit a JHC ground support unit with RAF/Army staffing and it was quite clear that "Joint" is spelt with an "A"; there was no compromise of rules and regulations and the Army ones were positively anal. The RN have equivelent sections/sqns yet maintain geographic distance as an autonomous unit. There are pennies to be saved with jointery, but it is not happening.
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Hi DR - about 10 years ago following the last SDR there was an option running to do precisely that - move the MK3 Merlins to the RAF SAR force and buy new SH (probably more CH47) in due course. Sadly (IMO) it was decided that it was more sensible to PFI the SARF replacement so the Merlin transfer option died. Who knows, but maybe if the PFI is scrapped, such a SAR Merlin option could return when we can afford it? Mmmm
As for SH Merlins in the CHF - there is a good case for this in terms of a sensibly sized platform to fly optimum Commando Brigade trooping and resupply loads and operational and logistic commonality with the ASW (and in due course ASAC) version to be used afloat as fully marinised platforms that can be stowed properly aboard RN vessels various. The study into marinising the CH47 rejected this option as unaffordable (if not with a soupcon of a technical risk!), thus that option was dismissed - hence reinforcing the marinised SH Merlin case alongside temporary CH47 Task Force enhancements when the op scale requires it.
As for SH Merlins in the CHF - there is a good case for this in terms of a sensibly sized platform to fly optimum Commando Brigade trooping and resupply loads and operational and logistic commonality with the ASW (and in due course ASAC) version to be used afloat as fully marinised platforms that can be stowed properly aboard RN vessels various. The study into marinising the CH47 rejected this option as unaffordable (if not with a soupcon of a technical risk!), thus that option was dismissed - hence reinforcing the marinised SH Merlin case alongside temporary CH47 Task Force enhancements when the op scale requires it.
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I know it is thread creep but the best way to make savings in JHC is to bin JHC/amalgamate it into either Fleet or Air Cmd with a small embassy in PJHQ ie get rid of most of the staff. For the RN and the Army JHC represented a very large increase in staff costs due to ratios of post allocation (of course it meant a large reduction for the RAF!). Further down the food chain (ie in the op area) there are few savings to be made through amalgamation.
I thought that the marinization of the current Mk3/3A is cost prohibitive and, therefore, the RN was getting what they were given.
Surely, with the various political agendas being fought with the US and doubt on whether or not RW Air Force 1 would be given to the Merlin, surely now is the time to revisit various contracts and enhance the capability of the Merlin Force and expand it into the SAR role.
This would fit into various Mil agendas such as:
Minimal ac types.
Rotation of crews through the SARF back to JHC and vice versa.
Further work for UK industry, albeit AW!
Reduced OCU requirements.
You could be even be more radical and have a Joint Helicopter Command, which included the SARF and CHF.........!
Surely, with the various political agendas being fought with the US and doubt on whether or not RW Air Force 1 would be given to the Merlin, surely now is the time to revisit various contracts and enhance the capability of the Merlin Force and expand it into the SAR role.
This would fit into various Mil agendas such as:
Minimal ac types.
Rotation of crews through the SARF back to JHC and vice versa.
Further work for UK industry, albeit AW!
Reduced OCU requirements.
You could be even be more radical and have a Joint Helicopter Command, which included the SARF and CHF.........!
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CBTL?
As radical as it may seem, I think you'll find that CHF are already and always have been part of the Jolly Happy Club. Do you perhaps mean to refer to the FLEET aircraft?
As radical as it may seem, I think you'll find that CHF are already and always have been part of the Jolly Happy Club. Do you perhaps mean to refer to the FLEET aircraft?
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CBL - you are correct re the present Mk3/3A fleet - but as I see it that is just the start....once in positon it will not be long before the case is made for the appropriate engine/performance and marinisation upgrades to be done to achieve the commonality required. That said it may in fact have to wait for cash for brand new airframes as I believe it may not be cost effective to upgrade the present Merlins against buying new....but then maybe that was just an AWL marketing stance! Any such plan may take time of course in the present circumstances, but it is a long term plot that fits neatly, and then allows the RAF to do likewise with a long term CH47 upgrade/fleet management plot.
I share your views/points re a wider Merlin plot - but it would still need the radical rethink (and other extra cash reallocated from other cancelled programmes) if it were to happen ---so sadly maybe not
I share your views/points re a wider Merlin plot - but it would still need the radical rethink (and other extra cash reallocated from other cancelled programmes) if it were to happen ---so sadly maybe not
