UK Maritime Patrol Aircraft - An Urgent Requirement
Quite so Roland, a political ploy to lease that was proven to be hyper-expensive and so, we then bought them outright! Then what happens? They come along with a cunning plan to lease the FSTA! Now, the C17 situation was partly understandable because it filled a huge void in a critical capability. But, the FSTA has become a money-making machine that relied upon the early retirement of the TriStar for a role and, it does not bring a new capability. So, great! We spend a fortune on a shiny new-ish hire-jet that sort-of does the job. Meanwhile the paid-for TriStar gets scrapped instead of enhanced and life extended (not new and no one promoted by it) and, things like MPA are off the plot or, totally off the plot if Scotland votes for Independence.
Muppets
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OAP
Muppets
.OAP
OAP
Sorry, I'm still obviously being too obtuse. I was suggesting that there might be an option of a lease-purchase of MPA to fill the gap faster and affordably in the short term - just as we did with the C17.
Nothing to do with FSTA (which I agree is a barking mad option for the delivery of a front-line capabilty (and just as mad as leasing your flying training fleets and instructors)).
Sorry, I'm still obviously being too obtuse. I was suggesting that there might be an option of a lease-purchase of MPA to fill the gap faster and affordably in the short term - just as we did with the C17.
Nothing to do with FSTA (which I agree is a barking mad option for the delivery of a front-line capabilty (and just as mad as leasing your flying training fleets and instructors)).
OAP
from last week's Flight International.
Oh look, a spare 8 on the production line. Now I wonder if they could be leased or hire-purchased??
The USN's budget proposal, which still requires Congressional approval, calls for the service to buy eight Poseidons in FY2015: down from an original plan to order 16.
Oh look, a spare 8 on the production line. Now I wonder if they could be leased or hire-purchased??
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Once upon a time, when their Airships were trying to sort out a "modern" multi-role combat aircraft and eye-watering amounts of money were being proffered, the acronym MRCA was modified by some wag(s) to mean "Must Refurbish Canberras Again". The MRCA eventually became the Tornado variants.
Recently I've heard a lot about MRSA, apparently free to selected patients of the NHS and private medical facilities in UK.
Might it also stand for "Must Refurbish Shackletons Again", there were 4xAEW variants corroding quietly at Paphos, others allegedly in USA and a pristine example in the endangered Manchester Museum of Science and Industry?
No more ridiculous a suggestion than the one which proceeded to fruition in the form of the AEW Nimrod, One Thousand Million Pounds down the drain in the 90s, before we applied fact, logic and reasoning and plumped for the E3A.
Whoever said there is no money might like to read "Burning Our Money" by Mike Denham and reassess the possibilities?
Recently I've heard a lot about MRSA, apparently free to selected patients of the NHS and private medical facilities in UK.
Might it also stand for "Must Refurbish Shackletons Again", there were 4xAEW variants corroding quietly at Paphos, others allegedly in USA and a pristine example in the endangered Manchester Museum of Science and Industry?
No more ridiculous a suggestion than the one which proceeded to fruition in the form of the AEW Nimrod, One Thousand Million Pounds down the drain in the 90s, before we applied fact, logic and reasoning and plumped for the E3A.
Whoever said there is no money might like to read "Burning Our Money" by Mike Denham and reassess the possibilities?
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Maritime
I really wish I could find the Liam Fox interview with BBC Radio Scotland's evening news show a couple of days after SDSR10 when he said that the capability was needed, just Nimrod 4 wasn't the platform to deliver it, and that we would have to re-visit it when the economic situation had improved.
I can't have been the only one to hear it!!
I can't have been the only one to hear it!!
I would remind people to re-read post 421 on this very thread.
While it may not be on many peoples 'radar' south of the border, it is a very real issue, and more likely to occur than many of the things being discussed on here - as I was reminded when I walked past the rented yesscotland office in my local town just 2 days ago...
While it may not be on many peoples 'radar' south of the border, it is a very real issue, and more likely to occur than many of the things being discussed on here - as I was reminded when I walked past the rented yesscotland office in my local town just 2 days ago...
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as I was reminded when I walked past the rented yesscotland office in my local town just 2 days ago...
We had a flying badge made many years ago when a crew member insisted on wearing the Saltire, when in the RAF, instead of the Union Jack (Although he was born in England (Albeit to Scottish parents.))
It looked very similar to this:
Looked rather fetching as I recall.
Last edited by Surplus; 10th May 2014 at 12:21.
Kawasaki P-1 - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Four engines, designed from the outset for MPA/ASW etc. What's not to like? And the Japanese have now relaxed their restrictions on exporting military equipment.
Four engines, designed from the outset for MPA/ASW etc. What's not to like? And the Japanese have now relaxed their restrictions on exporting military equipment.
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Having spent my Service career flying on or supporting Nimrod MR2 operations I always had the upmost confidence that the combined efforts of “Team Kinloss” would put an aircraft on top of a vessel in distress in our SAR AOR in the shortest time possible. Once there they always provided an excellent service.
Having left the RAF 18 months ago, I now find myself sitting off-shore, bobbing around in the blustery and grey North Sea. With the demise of our MR capability I now see the picture from the other side, and I must admit that I now have absolutely no confidence that the same level of service and capability would be provided. (and before anyone says it - I am not suggesting that it is my leaving that has brought about this lack of capability!!)
What a shocking state to find oneself!!
(I know that the primary mission for MR aircraft was not SAR, but seeing as I am not involved with ASW/ASuW/CT or any of the other Military Tasks out here, I thought I’d highlight my views from a self-preservation angle!)
Having left the RAF 18 months ago, I now find myself sitting off-shore, bobbing around in the blustery and grey North Sea. With the demise of our MR capability I now see the picture from the other side, and I must admit that I now have absolutely no confidence that the same level of service and capability would be provided. (and before anyone says it - I am not suggesting that it is my leaving that has brought about this lack of capability!!)
What a shocking state to find oneself!!
(I know that the primary mission for MR aircraft was not SAR, but seeing as I am not involved with ASW/ASuW/CT or any of the other Military Tasks out here, I thought I’d highlight my views from a self-preservation angle!)
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"Four engines, designed from the outset for MPA/ASW etc. What's not to like?"
almost as long in development as the F-35, $ 140mm each plus $3Bn in dev costs, grounded due to engine problems
And no, it wasn't built by BAe...................
almost as long in development as the F-35, $ 140mm each plus $3Bn in dev costs, grounded due to engine problems
And no, it wasn't built by BAe...................
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Interim Fincastle Competition Format
http://www.liveleak.com/view?i=726_1399469699
Brilliant Stitchbitch, has the Fincastle committee seen this? It's just what we need while we take our capability holiday!
Brilliant Stitchbitch, has the Fincastle committee seen this? It's just what we need while we take our capability holiday!
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Originally Posted by Jet In Vitro
How about a P1 built under licenses in UK with best of breed sensors?
May be different engines.
We could then sell this platform to others who can not afford the P8.
May be different engines.
We could then sell this platform to others who can not afford the P8.
That ought to bring the cost per aircraft up to match the P-8. Normal UK-MOD procedure.
