SDSR rumours.
Difficult certainly but catastrophic may be a tad dramatic. The plan has long been to have one QE available at any given time. Bringing the second QE into service makes that possible 8 years out of 8 rather than 5 years out of 8 but as far as I can see the "one available to deploy" ambition hasn't changed, except possibly in extreme circumstances.
Bear in mind also that the complement of a QE, excluding airgroup, is about the same as for an Invincible, despite the disparity in size. I believe decommissioning Ocean is part of keeping the manpower situation difficult rather than catastrophic, along with the 450 uplift in RN manpower announced in the SDSR.
Bear in mind also that the complement of a QE, excluding airgroup, is about the same as for an Invincible, despite the disparity in size. I believe decommissioning Ocean is part of keeping the manpower situation difficult rather than catastrophic, along with the 450 uplift in RN manpower announced in the SDSR.
I would presume the Army's private, single battalion messes and bases will be high on the chop list: answering why we maintain loads of buildings for 30 or so Officers, when there is a very similar one next door on Salisbury Plain, will be an interesting intellectual exercise to watch.
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An RAF friend of mine who did a liaison job with the Army said that there were times when he'd be in the bar alone & through the window he could see into the bar of the mess next door where there was another officer also drinking alone.
"I would presume the Army's private, single battalion messes and bases will be high on the chop list: answering why we maintain loads of buildings for 30 or so Officers, when there is a very similar one next door on Salisbury Plain, will be an interesting intellectual exercise to watch. "
Wegimental Twadition - duh...
Wegimental Twadition - duh...
Originally Posted by frostchamber
Another is sending such a high value asset into harm's way more than you'd really want.
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I would presume the Army's private, single battalion messes and bases will be high on the chop list: answering why we maintain loads of buildings for 30 or so Officers, when there is a very similar one next door on Salisbury Plain, will be an interesting intellectual exercise to watch.
The Army already have Garrison/Central messes; probably because when the Regiment deploys, they take their Mess with them - but maybe that's the way ahead, who knows?
I think I'd argue that a better definition would be delivering the military effect you want while taking reasonable steps to minimise the risk to the asset. If your carrier is doubling as an LPH you may well need to send it closer to the shore than you would if you had a separate LPH fulfilling the role.
Ecce Homo! Loquitur...
UK Air Chief Hopes To Add Combat Squadron
LONDON — Having secured three extra combat squadrons a little more than a week ago in a strategic defense and security review (SDSR), Britain’s Air Force chief said that he has a plan to add a fourth unit to further boost air power.
“We were destined to be down to six [combat] squadrons by 2020," the Chief of the Air Staff Air Chief Marshal Sir Andrew Pulford told an audience of senior military and industry executives at an Air Power Association dinner at the House of Commons on Thursday. "We knew that was too few ... and we fought for more. We got three squadrons, and I have a fourth in my pocket.”..........
“We are going to stay at nine [squadrons], and I have a plan to get to 10,” Pulford said.
A spokesman for the RAF later sought to play down the remarks, saying that no such plan existed. "SDSR confirmed that the UK will have nine combat air squadrons," said the spokesman. "There are no plans for a 10th squadron. CAS’ comments referred to how, over time, future efficiencies from within the RAF could be used to create an extra squadron.”.............
Industry executives at the dinner wondered where the RAF would get the money and the manpower from for an extra squadron. The additional two Typhoon squadrons already announced are being generated by making more efficient use of the existing fleet, rather than by buying new aircraft. That’s being enabled in large part by better exploitation of advanced simulation for training and mission rehearsal, allowing a greater number of pilots to be sustained at high readiness from broadly the same number of live-flying hours.................
SDSR generally was seen by analysts and others as a big win for the RAF, with improvements to combat mass, a significant increase in ISTAR resources and a decision to run the bulk of the C-130J Hercules fleet beyond its 2022 out-of-service date to 2030. Pulford said that getting to keep 14–Js was like getting a “Christmas present.”..............
The chief of the air staff said that the decision to extend the out-of-service dates of many of the RAF’s key ISTAR assets had provided certainty where there had previously been uncertainty. SDSR extended the lives of the Sentinel battlefield-surveillance aircraft, the Shadow intelligence aircraft, Sentry E3 airborne early-warning and Rivet Joint signals-intelligence platforms.
New purchases include nine Boeing P-8 maritime patrol aircraft, more than 20 Protector UAVs to replace the 10 General Atomics Reapers now in service and an additional three Shadow aircraft — two new platforms and the conversion of a third King Air airframe already owned by the MoD..............
LONDON — Having secured three extra combat squadrons a little more than a week ago in a strategic defense and security review (SDSR), Britain’s Air Force chief said that he has a plan to add a fourth unit to further boost air power.
“We were destined to be down to six [combat] squadrons by 2020," the Chief of the Air Staff Air Chief Marshal Sir Andrew Pulford told an audience of senior military and industry executives at an Air Power Association dinner at the House of Commons on Thursday. "We knew that was too few ... and we fought for more. We got three squadrons, and I have a fourth in my pocket.”..........
“We are going to stay at nine [squadrons], and I have a plan to get to 10,” Pulford said.
A spokesman for the RAF later sought to play down the remarks, saying that no such plan existed. "SDSR confirmed that the UK will have nine combat air squadrons," said the spokesman. "There are no plans for a 10th squadron. CAS’ comments referred to how, over time, future efficiencies from within the RAF could be used to create an extra squadron.”.............
Industry executives at the dinner wondered where the RAF would get the money and the manpower from for an extra squadron. The additional two Typhoon squadrons already announced are being generated by making more efficient use of the existing fleet, rather than by buying new aircraft. That’s being enabled in large part by better exploitation of advanced simulation for training and mission rehearsal, allowing a greater number of pilots to be sustained at high readiness from broadly the same number of live-flying hours.................
SDSR generally was seen by analysts and others as a big win for the RAF, with improvements to combat mass, a significant increase in ISTAR resources and a decision to run the bulk of the C-130J Hercules fleet beyond its 2022 out-of-service date to 2030. Pulford said that getting to keep 14–Js was like getting a “Christmas present.”..............
The chief of the air staff said that the decision to extend the out-of-service dates of many of the RAF’s key ISTAR assets had provided certainty where there had previously been uncertainty. SDSR extended the lives of the Sentinel battlefield-surveillance aircraft, the Shadow intelligence aircraft, Sentry E3 airborne early-warning and Rivet Joint signals-intelligence platforms.
New purchases include nine Boeing P-8 maritime patrol aircraft, more than 20 Protector UAVs to replace the 10 General Atomics Reapers now in service and an additional three Shadow aircraft — two new platforms and the conversion of a third King Air airframe already owned by the MoD..............
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I know nothing about drones - aren't they expendable ?? - or expended when they destroy a target ?? - does that mean if we use one to destroy a target we have to buy another to replace it ?
Arc
Arc
I don't own this space under my name. I should have leased it while I still could
Ecce Homo! Loquitur...
Hmmm. Possibly because they are being purchased through the USN rather than a direct purchase through Boeing? Therefore being wrapped up in successive USN orders - like the first Australian airframe is included in the 13 airframes in USN tranche 2?
If you look at the Boeing press release on the tranche they mention the Australian first airframe. But if you scroll down on the page that links to the press releases - only the USA and India are mentioned as customers.
Following the same logic, they won't put up anything directly relating to the RAF order, but will state when their airframes are included in subsequent USN tranches.
Just an opinion.
If you look at the Boeing press release on the tranche they mention the Australian first airframe. But if you scroll down on the page that links to the press releases - only the USA and India are mentioned as customers.
Following the same logic, they won't put up anything directly relating to the RAF order, but will state when their airframes are included in subsequent USN tranches.
Just an opinion.
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Defence cuts - found this mouldering in an aircraft scrap-yard the other day. Apparently attributable to a F/O Peter Wyton. It seems strangely appropriate these days:
This poem was written by Peter Wyton [pen name] when he was serving at RAF Wyton in the early 70s. There is no objection at all to the poem being circulated but please ensure that it is always attributed to Peter. More info about him at www.myspace.com/peterwytonpoet The poem often turns up in a rather muddled form, the correct form is copied below.
Regards
L. Fisher [Peter's manager].
THE UNKINDEST (DEFENCE) CUT OF ALL
I'm the last man left in the Air Force,
I've an office in the M.O.D.
And a copy of Queen's Regulations
Which only apply to little me.
I can post myself off to Leuchars
And detach me from there to Kinloss
Or send me on a course to Innsworth
Then cancel the lot - I'm the Boss.
I'm the last man left in the Air Force
But the great parliamentary brains
Omitted, when cancelling people,
To sell off the stations and planes,
The result is, my inventory bulges
With KD and camp stools and Quarters,
Plus a signed book of speeches by Trenchard
That I keep to impress the reporters.
I'm the last man left in the Air Force,
I suppose you imagine it's great
To be master of all you survey but
I tell you, it's difficult, mate.
I inspected three units last Thursday
As A.O.C. (Acting) of Strike,
Then I swept half the runway at Laarbruch
And repaired Saxa Vord's station bike.
I'm the last man left in the Air Force,
My wife says I'm never at home,
When I'm not flying Hercs I'm at Manston,
Laying gallons and gallons of foam,
Or I'm in my Marine Craft at Plymouth,
Shooting flares at the crowds on the Ho,
Or I'm Orderly Corporal at Uxbridge,
It's an interesting life, but all go.
I'm the last man left in the Air Force,
I'm A.D.C. to the Queen,
I'm Duty Clerk at St. Mawgan,
I'm the R.A.F. rugby team,
Tomorrow I'm painting a guardroom
And air-testing several planes,
The day after that I'm for London
To preach at St. Clement Dane's.
I'm the last man left in the Air Force
And I'm due to retire before long,
There's been no talk of any replacement
And I won't even let me sign on.
I hope to enjoy my retirement,
I've put up a pretty good show,
But I won't cut myself off entirely.
There are always reunions, y'know.
© Peter Wyton
This poem was written by Peter Wyton [pen name] when he was serving at RAF Wyton in the early 70s. There is no objection at all to the poem being circulated but please ensure that it is always attributed to Peter. More info about him at www.myspace.com/peterwytonpoet The poem often turns up in a rather muddled form, the correct form is copied below.
Regards
L. Fisher [Peter's manager].
THE UNKINDEST (DEFENCE) CUT OF ALL
I'm the last man left in the Air Force,
I've an office in the M.O.D.
And a copy of Queen's Regulations
Which only apply to little me.
I can post myself off to Leuchars
And detach me from there to Kinloss
Or send me on a course to Innsworth
Then cancel the lot - I'm the Boss.
I'm the last man left in the Air Force
But the great parliamentary brains
Omitted, when cancelling people,
To sell off the stations and planes,
The result is, my inventory bulges
With KD and camp stools and Quarters,
Plus a signed book of speeches by Trenchard
That I keep to impress the reporters.
I'm the last man left in the Air Force,
I suppose you imagine it's great
To be master of all you survey but
I tell you, it's difficult, mate.
I inspected three units last Thursday
As A.O.C. (Acting) of Strike,
Then I swept half the runway at Laarbruch
And repaired Saxa Vord's station bike.
I'm the last man left in the Air Force,
My wife says I'm never at home,
When I'm not flying Hercs I'm at Manston,
Laying gallons and gallons of foam,
Or I'm in my Marine Craft at Plymouth,
Shooting flares at the crowds on the Ho,
Or I'm Orderly Corporal at Uxbridge,
It's an interesting life, but all go.
I'm the last man left in the Air Force,
I'm A.D.C. to the Queen,
I'm Duty Clerk at St. Mawgan,
I'm the R.A.F. rugby team,
Tomorrow I'm painting a guardroom
And air-testing several planes,
The day after that I'm for London
To preach at St. Clement Dane's.
I'm the last man left in the Air Force
And I'm due to retire before long,
There's been no talk of any replacement
And I won't even let me sign on.
I hope to enjoy my retirement,
I've put up a pretty good show,
But I won't cut myself off entirely.
There are always reunions, y'know.
© Peter Wyton
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I saw it on the Boeing Defense Twitter feed on Dec 4 - https://mobile.twitter.com/BoeingDefense
It mentions that there are 16x UK suppliers involved in the deal.
LJ
It mentions that there are 16x UK suppliers involved in the deal.
LJ