RAF Poseidon - Not too long to wait?
So the trick would be to obtain a figure from EADS (preferably through EFW Dresden, not Getafe) for the cost of converting 4 x A310MRTT to include a boom kit, then ask AirTanker how they would meet the requirement using Voyager?
P-3, E-7 and RJ all have intercontinental range. Spending billions on a tanker facility that might possibly be used once in a blue moon hardly seems sensible when there are more immediate needs.
To which Air Tanker would politely reply that it isn't in the requirement, the requirement that YOU wrote, YOU specified, nor is it in the contract that YOU wrote and YOU presented to us to sign after a commercial competition. (just for the sake of clarity here YOU refers to the MoD, NOT BEagle!)
THE RAAF in-flight refuels our E-7's, C-17's and P-8's [plus our F-35's/F/A-18's/EA-18's and most USAF/USN/ aircraft] with our KC-30A's both boom and drogue equipped.
pr00ne, fine - since boom AAR is outside the contract the MoD has with AirTanker, then a new contract to provide boom AAR should be put out to tender.
Or preferably, should be entirely in-house and well away from the ridiculously £1M+ per day absurdity of a PFI.
Or preferably, should be entirely in-house and well away from the ridiculously £1M+ per day absurdity of a PFI.
All well and good, with the small exception of the 'exclusion provision of AAR to the RAF' clause being in the contract, as specified, required and written by the MoD. As to that £1m per day absurdity, just how much do you think provision of 14 aircraft, training, maintenance and servicing, upgrades, a new hangar and squadron accommodation, simulator and airworthiness provision would have actually cost the MoD? It would have been a fortune and simply was not available at the time as up front money.
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As to that £1m per day absurdity, just how much do you think provision of 14 aircraft, training, maintenance and servicing, upgrades, a new hangar and squadron accommodation, simulator and airworthiness provision would have actually cost the MoD? It would have been a fortune and simply was not available at the time as up front money.
As it's physically impossible for the current Voyager to conduct boom AAR, notwithstanding the contract clause what would be your solution to provide P-7, P-8A, Rivet Joint, C-17 and potentially F-35A with AAR support?
Not P-8, but still maritime patrol of a sort, an A400M looking for dinghys this morning.
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Apparently it's an RAF Atlas 'Surveillence' aircraft......I take it that its surveillance capability consists of the Mk1 eyeball and weather radar? I spent many happy hours flying around the FIFPZ in the C130K undertaking maritime reconnaissance with a dodgy E290 and occasionally a working Orange Crop.
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The ideal scenario for RJ is to tank on every single mission sortie. I'm not sure whether that constitutes a blue moon though.
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https://www.raf.mod.uk/news/articles...ssian-warship/
First Operation for RAF Poseidon tracking Russian Warship
On Monday morning, a P-8A Poseidon from 120 Squadron based at Kinloss Barracks demonstrated its speed and readiness by completing a prolonged overwatch of the Russian warship, Vasily Bykov, as it passed through the North Sea......
First Operation for RAF Poseidon tracking Russian Warship
On Monday morning, a P-8A Poseidon from 120 Squadron based at Kinloss Barracks demonstrated its speed and readiness by completing a prolonged overwatch of the Russian warship, Vasily Bykov, as it passed through the North Sea......
Based at Kinloss Barracks?
Aren't 120 Based at Lossiemouth?
Or have they moved back to RAF Kinloss full time?
GG
I note that the fifth Poseidon is to be named Fulmar after the RNAS name for Lossie. So far we've had Pride of Moray, City of Elgin and Terence Bulloch DSO* DFC*. The first two are a bit meh, I heartily agree with the third and now... Fulmar. Really?
Have they run out of ideas, or are they just coming up with random thoughts. It looks like the first musings at a brainstorming session. At least the VC10s all had the names of RAF Victoria Cross awardees. This is just silly.
If they wanted maritime stations, why not Kinloss, St. Mawgan, St. Eval, Ballykelly, Mount Batten, Pembroke Dock, Calshot, Banff and Wick?
Have they run out of ideas, or are they just coming up with random thoughts. It looks like the first musings at a brainstorming session. At least the VC10s all had the names of RAF Victoria Cross awardees. This is just silly.
If they wanted maritime stations, why not Kinloss, St. Mawgan, St. Eval, Ballykelly, Mount Batten, Pembroke Dock, Calshot, Banff and Wick?
Surely when 1 Squadron RNAS 201 Squadron RAF reforms it should have an aircraft named after Sub-Lt R A J Warneford VC in the spirit of jointery that led to Fulmar. Mind you his record on indiscipline might count aganst him.