Now where the heck did I put that MPA?
Thread Starter
Now where the heck did I put that MPA?
Never mind going home early for Crimble - there's a very sad story in Aviation Week today.
If you feel you can take it, you'll find the full story, by Tony Osborne, at
Canadians, French, U.S. Hunt For Submarine Off Scotland | Defense content from Aviation Week
I despair
airsound
LONDON—The U.K. called in assistance to help hunt for a foreign submarine off the west coast of Scotland starting in late November. Maritime patrol aircraft (MPAs) from France, Canada and the U.S. conducted patrols in conjunction with British surface warships in the search for the submarine in late November and the first week of December, operating out of RAF Lossiemouth in northern Scotland.
Canadians, French, U.S. Hunt For Submarine Off Scotland | Defense content from Aviation Week
I despair
airsound
The Borrowers
So not content with having to borrow kit from better-equipped nations on operational detachments, the UK itself is now having to borrow core capability from other nations....
Appalling.
Although Nimrod MRA4 was an utter pig* (apart from its very capable mission system), when it was turned into saucepans the UK should have decided on a more modern and capable alternative, such as the P-8 or even an A320-family based MPA.
But no. Our sandaholic MoD seemed to forget about anything that wasn't connected with OP FAILURE-ON-THE-NW-FRONTIER.....
*Described by one pilot, who I will not identify, as "The worst aeroplane I've ever flown".
Appalling.
Although Nimrod MRA4 was an utter pig* (apart from its very capable mission system), when it was turned into saucepans the UK should have decided on a more modern and capable alternative, such as the P-8 or even an A320-family based MPA.
But no. Our sandaholic MoD seemed to forget about anything that wasn't connected with OP FAILURE-ON-THE-NW-FRONTIER.....
*Described by one pilot, who I will not identify, as "The worst aeroplane I've ever flown".
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Foreign submarine........West Coast of Scotland.
What could there possibly be of interest out that way??
They'll be sticking a MAD boom on the Sentinel next to try and get out of this hole!!
What could there possibly be of interest out that way??
They'll be sticking a MAD boom on the Sentinel next to try and get out of this hole!!
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Did our friends find anything?
Hostile aircraft would be intercepted with a show if force.
Hopefully the MPA deployed were able to provide a credible deterrent even if we can not.
Hostile aircraft would be intercepted with a show if force.
Hopefully the MPA deployed were able to provide a credible deterrent even if we can not.
Red On, Green On
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"the UK itself is now having to borrow core capability from other nations"
our masters have decided MPA is NOT a core capability
why else do we have allies?
our masters have decided MPA is NOT a core capability
why else do we have allies?
Just the one other last time I looked, which can't really afford defence as it was taken down by greedy bankers, unlike the UK .... oh wait
our masters have decided MPA is NOT a core capability
It was the Nimrod MRA4 that was scrapped - not the requirement for an MPA capability. Our masters are just expecting (or hoping) that our allies will provide the core capability for us.
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Playing devils advocate here. What are we providing to our allies to fill their gaps/core capability ?
C17s to the French should start the ball rolling.
https://www.gov.uk/government/news/r...r-mali-mission
C17s to the French should start the ball rolling.
https://www.gov.uk/government/news/r...r-mali-mission
Strictly speaking, in capability terms, there is no such thing as an MPA capability. What is required is a platform that can conduct 'Sea Surveillance', 'ASW' and 'ASuW' with the ability to carry out SAR as and when needed. An MPA platform may be able to fulfil most, if not all, of those functions. Bit of pedantry I know but that is how our capability planners would describe it.
Danny
can do some maritime surveillance but not ASW - See the USB's Triton programme.
hangars are all Grade 1 listed buildings, so they shouldn't be going anywhere soon.
and a bit wrong. Be careful what you wish for. Maritime Surveillance Aircraft generally don't do ASW, a key role for an MPA
Drones
Cardington
Sea Surveillance
Bit of pedantry