MOD Hardware : Annual Statistics : April 2013

[CoffmanStarter]

Sign of the times I guess

There has been a slight increase in the number of RAF squadrons in the Regular Air Force, from 44 in 2012 to 47 in 2013, due to the re-formation of a Typhoon squadron and a Reaper squadron, and the formation of an additional policing squadron.

The number of combat aircraft in the RAF’s Forward Available Fleet has increased from 154 in 2012 to 164 in 2013, (with a reduction by nine in the number of Tornados, and an increase by 19 in the number of Typhoons). This increase runs counter to a general decreasing trend since 2006.

The number of helicopters in the Joint Helicopter Command’s Forward Available Fleet decreased from 206 at April 2012, to 181 at April 2013. This is mainly due to the number of Apaches reducing by 11 to 38, and the drawdown of all 12 remaining Pumas.

MOD DASA Statistics : PDF

These are April 2013 Stats ... so include some recent "retirements" ... VC-10 etc.

Coff.

[dervish]

I thought we bought over 60 Apaches?

[Pub User]

Drawdown of Pumas? Haven't they just had an update?

[sandozer]

AH-1

Working on the Longbow a while back, I seem to remember the quantity was 67 ?
Where have they all gone?

[Out Of Trim]

I'm guessing that they have stripped the Non-Flying hangar queens of parts to keep the operational aircraft flying without getting enough spares to restore the others to airworthy status.

[Evalu8ter]

Pub User,
It marks the retirement of the Puma Mk1 - the introduction of Puma Mk2 will see an additional 24 Pumas back in the OrBat.

Re the AH64, it could be either worn out airframes (they have been flogged...) or a FE@R cut to save money....

[Door Slider]

The clue is in the narrative

Forward Available Fleet

This is not total number of airframes.

[Biggus]

While taking nothing away from the sterling effort they provide (before anyone gets upset), and recognizing the fact that they go in harm's way, I think the inclusion of "squadrons" that do no operate any form of "flying machine" (be it fixed wing, rotary or UAV), e.g. a "policing squadron", in the overall total of "RAF Squadrons" is merely a way of not making the statistics look as bad as they really are - the cupboard is pretty well bare these days!

[MPN11]

Sadly, I remember during my first Staff tour generating correspondence that went to 12 Air Forces/Commands.

I, and the OH, metaphorically weep every time we hear what's left.

[Beancountercymru]

The definition of FAF according to DASA

"Forward Available Fleet are those aircraft available to the front line command for operational and training purposes, including those that are
classed as "short term unserviceable". Therefore, the figures exclude aircraft undergoing scheduled depth maintenance or planned routine fleet
maintenance."

[tucumseh]

Therefore, the figures exclude aircraft undergoing scheduled depth maintenance or planned routine fleet
maintenance."

So the target of 14% max in the engineering pool wasn't met then.

[Party Animal]

I think the inclusion of "squadrons" that do no operate any form of "flying machine" (be it fixed wing, rotary or UAV), e.g. a "policing squadron", in the overall total of "RAF Squadrons" is merely a way of not making the statistics look as bad as they really are - the cupboard is pretty well bare these days!

Biggus - I completely agree. A further breakdown between front-line flying sqns and the rest would be good to see. Remove OCU/METS/AWC etc.. and see how the numbers compare between now and ten/twenty/thirty years ago.

[CoffmanStarter]

OK so the official stats are out ... next the annual Corporate Brochure available this coming Monday from the usual suspects at £4.99 ... usually WH Smith Tunbridge Wells stacked next to Caravan Monthly in my case



Covered in this years publication ...

Produced by Key Publishing’s specialist aviation experts and featuring articles written with and by RAF personnel, RAF 2014 is a 132-page special magazine that provides behind the scenes insight into the aircraft, equipment and people of one of the world's premier air forces.

Highlights include:

The Dambusters Prepare for Herrick – Behind the scenes in 617 Sqn’s anniversary year as the squadron readied for its final Afghanistan deployment

Operation Newcombe – When the French engaged extremist forces in Mali, the RAF responded with C-17 airlift and Sentinel ISTAR support

Chinook 4, 5 and 6 – The upgraded Chinook Mk 4 in service and a look ahead at the step change in capability that the new Mk 6 delivers

Falklands Perspective – A detailed look at the RAF’s considerable capability in the Falklands, from tankers to Typhoons and radar sites, as the UK prepares for the long term

Stealing the Show – 2013 Typhoon Display Team pilot Flt Lt Jamie ‘Noz’ Norris describes the season and what it’s like to plan and fly a routine over a 500kt speed range and which takes him to 9g in less than a second

Best ...

Coff.

Mind you ... the following 1976 Publication remains the Benchmark IMHO in terms of aircraft numbers

[Courtney Mil]

Behind the scenes in 617 Sqn’s anniversary year

Isn't every year an anniversary year?

[Madbob]

IMHO the rot set in when we started declaring what we had for years been happy to give reserve squadron numbers to what had previously been squadrons at OCU's, TWU's, BFT's and METS (and the like).

The thought of 45(R) Sqn going to "war" in their King Airs or 72(R) Squadron with their Tucanos is just a joke......

If all of the second/third line "squadrons" at Cranwell, Valley, Linton, Shawbury and the like were left out just how many proper squadrons would we have left? Talk about massaging the numbers to prevent revelations of the sad truth is that the RAF like the Emperor, in the fable, hasn't got any clothes to wear...

MB

[CoffmanStarter]

Spot on, Courtney ... (but a direct quote from the Publishers Web Site) ... bodes well for the rest of the copy then

[Courtney Mil]

Coff, of course I was quoting the source. Not a schoolboy error that you would ever make.

BTW, I'd like to be known that I'm in an anniversary year too.

[Haraka]

Perhaps the slide started years ago when Comms Flights started inheriting Squadron numbers.
The , much lower down in the pecking order, the forced merging of RAFVR, RAFVR(T) and RAF Auxiliary Units.
"Officers trying to be Gentlemen, Gentlemen trying to be Officers and neither trying to be both". etc. etc.,