UK Maritime Patrol Aircraft - An Urgent Requirement
Ah but look at all the Chinooks and re-vamped Puma's we're going to have.
Just the thing for shifting sandbags or dead badgers around the west
country.
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There's always a need for LRMPA that goes beyond Afghanistan. The Nimrods had been on continuous ops since entering service in 1969, and we're going to need LRMPA whatever operations the future throws up.
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I wouldnt be surprised to see bits of it appear as it breaks up, if it hasnt already, remember this one?
Tale of jet tail begins off Florida, ends on Irish coast | HamptonRoads.com | PilotOnline.com
Tale of jet tail begins off Florida, ends on Irish coast | HamptonRoads.com | PilotOnline.com
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GreenKnight,
I don't think the USAF is pissed off. The whole Sequestration business has re-focused a lot of folks.
But, looks like the correct platform is being introduced...
I don't think the USAF is pissed off. The whole Sequestration business has re-focused a lot of folks.
But, looks like the correct platform is being introduced...
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A fleet of P8, WedgeTail and LSRS would be an excellent solution to current MOD air ISTAR optimisation work, with many benefits across the Defence Lines Of Development. Although each platform will fall short of UK requirements in some areas, overall 3 viable solutions.
Unfortunately, cost of ownership is outside the current funding bubble for ISTAR unless we do something radical like rent the platforms. It may be possible along C-17 lines.
Also I am sure the lack of UK content will bring out the MPs with vested interest in UK jobs. I note that MOD has stated that it is not there to keep the UK defence industry in work but unfortunately MOD is a subordinate department and political considerations will prevail.
We need leadership with vision and courage (and funding) to make big decisions and not fiddle around the margins. A Big Bang approach (retire sentinel and E3 earlier than planned) is required. Unfortunately, Boeing would, I suspect, only be able to trickle ac to the UK as they seem to have full order books so some fleet components would it be able to fulfil concurrency requirements for some time.
Unfortunately, cost of ownership is outside the current funding bubble for ISTAR unless we do something radical like rent the platforms. It may be possible along C-17 lines.
Also I am sure the lack of UK content will bring out the MPs with vested interest in UK jobs. I note that MOD has stated that it is not there to keep the UK defence industry in work but unfortunately MOD is a subordinate department and political considerations will prevail.
We need leadership with vision and courage (and funding) to make big decisions and not fiddle around the margins. A Big Bang approach (retire sentinel and E3 earlier than planned) is required. Unfortunately, Boeing would, I suspect, only be able to trickle ac to the UK as they seem to have full order books so some fleet components would it be able to fulfil concurrency requirements for some time.
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I think I'd choose something other than Wedgetail.
https://www.defenseindustrydaily.com...program-05173/
(Click the top box in the link to expand for the full article.)
https://www.defenseindustrydaily.com...program-05173/
(Click the top box in the link to expand for the full article.)
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A Big Bang approach (retire sentinel and E3 earlier than planned) is required.
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I think I'd choose something other than Wedgetail.
Wedgetail has more than proven itself over the last couple of years in terms of performance and reliability, with huge potential for future improvements.
Y_G
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A bloke in the pub told me Sentinel is funded to 2018.
I would retire the current platforms on a one to one basis as Boeings become available.
Current ops allowing!
I would retire the current platforms on a one to one basis as Boeings become available.
Current ops allowing!
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A bloke in the pub told me Sentinel is funded to 2018.
How well informed is your mate?
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Y_G
You mean huge potential to fix the problems that have been dogging it and delayed the Final Operational Capability.
with huge potential for future improvements
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PFMG,
Bloke in the pub normally has good info. The is a big difference between having an option identified an a something actually happening.
Y-G
The UK needs to understand MOD is no longer funded for high end ISR capabilities.
Bloke in the pub normally has good info. The is a big difference between having an option identified an a something actually happening.
Y-G
The UK needs to understand MOD is no longer funded for high end ISR capabilities.
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Bloke in the pub normally has good info. The is a big difference between having an option identified an a something actually happening
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Bloke in pub indicated the option was mature. ABC 14 should be out soon and we shall see.
If I was a betting man I would give it 60% chance. The RAF will need something to show at the 100 year anniversary of the RAF!
If I was a betting man I would give it 60% chance. The RAF will need something to show at the 100 year anniversary of the RAF!