A-400M
Operational from September, by which time the first seven should be at Brize (delayed from March). Final operating capability slated for 2022, when all 22 aircraft are at Brize.
Having said that, the MoD announced the first 'operational' mission earlier this week (a logistics run into Akrotiri).
Having said that, the MoD announced the first 'operational' mission earlier this week (a logistics run into Akrotiri).
Ecce Homo! Loquitur...
So, with delivery ramping up, and a budget freeze and perhaps cut in the pipeline, when do we rationalise the AT fleet and retire the C-130J fleet? (And we want to try and get one of the last 5 White tail C-17s?)
Not to be contentious
Not to be contentious
There are no more C-17s, as far as I am aware (the UAE bagged the last two last week). Perhaps KenV knows better.
RAF due to retire C-130Js in 2022 to coincide with A400M FOC (although some likely to be retained for SOF).
RAF due to retire C-130Js in 2022 to coincide with A400M FOC (although some likely to be retained for SOF).
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The UAE order made eight of the white tails now spoken for. Should still be two left.
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RAF due to retire C-130Js in 2022 to coincide with A400M FOC (although some likely to be retained for SOF).
It's not as though britmil inc. is any stranger to capability chasms.
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RAF due to retire C-130Js in 2022 to coincide with A400M FOC (although some likely to be retained for SOF).
S-D
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Lower hangar, same mind as you, saw it over Exmoor today, several miles away and initially thought it was a C17, then heard it, at least as my good lady said it wasn't a Russian Bear !
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I'm sure the C17 could step in for any shortfall, give or take a couple of CBR points here or there...we seem to have the most under-utilised fleet in the world these days.
Champagne anyone...?
A400M FOC is a long way off. When SDSR comes looking for AT heads to roll they should flog the entire C130J fleet and then lease (as per the original C17 deal) 10 MC130Js and all the associated clobber off the U.S. to meet the SF task.
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Billynoclues
A400M is a long way from being fully operational. Basically circuit bashing and freight. Will need a few years to mature and acquire useful tac clearances.
Some more background in Flight Global on the Cyprus flight earlier this month plus more info on the delivery situation etc.
ANALYSIS: A400M Atlas delivers the goods for RAF
ANALYSIS: A400M Atlas delivers the goods for RAF
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There are no more C-17s, as far as I am aware (the UAE bagged the last two last week). Perhaps KenV knows better.
Another four are "spoken for" with a letter of intent, but no contract yet and no payments. If another buyer comes along with money and ready to sign, they can probably get any of those four.
Two have zero commitments, with lots of different governments having formally expressed "interest" in them. Qatar is one of the interested parties who seems the most serious. But who knows for sure? Anything can still happen.
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spotted this on Flightglobal this morning...........
http://www.flightglobal.com/news/articles/analysis-a400m-atlas-delivers-the-goods-for-raf-409960/
http://www.flightglobal.com/news/articles/analysis-a400m-atlas-delivers-the-goods-for-raf-409960/