RAF C-130J's to be retired early?

[SLXOwft]

Originally Posted by pr00ne

The Do228 is used as the Falcons para display team drop aircraft.

Yes, on a Summit's latest separate contract, the current one for two years expiring in July 2024.

There's also one for MTP in the US currently open:

The aircraft type should be a recognised High Altitude Para (HAP) aircraft able to carry a minimum of 12 x parachutists with full kit with the ability to air despatch Freefall parachutists and facilitate an oxygen (O2) capability for HAP. The contractor will be required to provide suitably qualified personnel to despatch parachutists from the aircraft when UK Military Parachute Jump Instructors (PJIs) are not available. Parachuting is to be conducted from the aircraft tailgate ramp. The parachuting platform should be cleared to operate in the USA by day and night from multiple locations within proximity of identified and cleared drop zones and training areas. The Authority envisages a five year availability service with three, one-year contract options thereafter. The service is forecast to commence from summer 2024 with the contractor meeting US FAA regulations as appropriate, and providing a MPT platform with type rated aircrew, engineers, and fire & crash cover able to maintain and sustain the operation. An initial Aircraft Flying Time of 300hrs per year (with a surge capability if required by the Authority) is anticipated via 3 x operating windows of 2/3 weeks each, currently forecast for July and January with a flexi-window.
Note the Estimated Value of Requirement is inclusive of option years.
Estimated value excluding VAT: $11,000,000 to $15,000,000.
As this procurement relates to the provision of services used for military purposes, the Authority will comply with the Defence & Security Public Contract Regulations (DSPCR 2011). The procurement will operate under the Restricted Procedure.

7 more days.

[Davef68]

Originally Posted by sfm818

Yes, we all have a soft spot for the Skyvan (I was raised to the soothing sound of twin astazous) but the contract specifies requirements that may be more in the CN-235/CASA C-212 range of aircraft (as a starting point).

Meanwhile - in the offices of Marshalls - a telephone rings and a receptionist answers, then patches the call through to a Manager ... "Sire, a gentleman enquires if we can furnish two C-130J's for the Canadian register no later than March 2025 - to be based/operated from EGSC".

Do the 212 (and Skyvan) meet the 20K altitude requirement? I was thinking more CN-235/C-27 types

[Brain Potter]

Does the absurdity of the UK retiring an aircraft type that is still in production and being delivered to similar air forces have any precedent?

[rattman]

Friend of mine who is Ex Raf and now flying with RAAF has claimed that the RAAF has made a blanket offer for an interservice transfer to RAAF to fly our hercs. Allegedly the brits are not that happy about the head hunting are going to make them serve thier ROSO

RAAF has 24 new C-130J's on order to replace its existing fleet of 12 J's and 12 C-27 spartans

[Asturias56]

"and using the remainder to generate a revenue stream to place orders"

Huh? how would they do that?? Charge people £ 30 for trip round the bay?

[SWBKCB]

Originally Posted by Asturias56

"and using the remainder to generate a revenue stream to place orders"

Huh? how would they do that?? Charge people £ 30 for trip round the bay?

You sell them

[Asturias56]

Oddly the Treasury doesn't allow various bits of the UK state to sell off the assets and use the cash for what they want................ it would go straight back into the central pot.

[Asturias56]

Originally Posted by Brain Potter

Does the absurdity of the UK retiring an aircraft type that is still in production and being delivered to similar air forces have any precedent?

In the far past the RAF used to keep aircraft flying for years that should have been replaced

Now they can't even afford to keep the ones they've got

[chopper2004]

Final final pair to EGSC today

All done now, I waited at EGSC to see the final final pair come home for storage earlier today so here are my photos.









Thankyou too all Fat Albert crews Thorney Island to Lyneham and today's Brize...

cheers

[airsound]

Thanks for those sad pics, chopper. And I second your thanks to all Fat Albert crews.

My gratitude is accompanied by seething rage against the firkin eejits who made this decision, and the people who let it happen.

ex Truckie
airsound

[Scamp]

Originally Posted by airsound

Thanks for those sad pics, chopper. And I second your thanks to all Fat Albert crews.

My gratitude is accompanied by seething rage against the firkin eejits who made this decision, and the people who let it happen.

ex Truckie
airsound

And the Engineers who kept them available over the years ........... often with little / no support, ensuring mission availability. Fond glances backwards.

[SLXOwft]

I wondered if callsign OMEN47 signalled the end, preceded by JDGMT24. Shortly after a pair of USAF -Js followed by a USN KC-130J left the former RAF Rhoose.

Originally Posted by Brain Potter

Does the absurdity of the UK retiring an aircraft type that is still in production and being delivered to similar air forces have any precedent?

Originally Posted by Asturias56

In the far past the RAF used to keep aircraft flying for years that should have been replaced

Now they can't even afford to keep the ones they've got

Also given a history of buying UK aircraft with few overseas sales (except a few like Canberra, Hunter, Hawk) as well as flogging them to death it's difficult to think of any. Could argue Sabre, and at a stretch Andover C (another useful AT disposed of early) and even Merlin (don't think many were sad to see it go to the CHF though ).

[Davef68]

Originally Posted by Brain Potter

Does the absurdity of the UK retiring an aircraft type that is still in production and being delivered to similar air forces have any precedent?

The only ones I can think of are Lend-Lease types like the P-51 or DC4 or post war short-term aircraft like MDAP (Neptune, Skyraider). Possibly the Squirrel/Twin Squirrel, but again leased and replaced with like aircraft.

[melmothtw]

Am I right in thinking that the UK is the only nation to ever retire the C-130?

[chopper2004]

Originally Posted by melmothtw

Am I right in thinking that the UK is the only nation to ever retire the C-130?

Dutch retiring theirs shortly as replacing them with Embraer C390 Millenium

cheers

[Martin the Martian]

Originally Posted by melmothtw

Am I right in thinking that the UK is the only nation to ever retire the C-130?

I think Belgium have now retired theirs as well.

[SLXOwft]

Originally Posted by Martin the Martian

I think Belgium have now retired theirs as well.

Yes, end of 2021 - ironically 47 provided a flypast - no have a combined fleet of A400Ms with Luxembourg. The Dutch and Belgians were of course retiring the H.

[rattman]

Every cloud has a silver lining, allegedly theres a dozen countries looking at buying them, so the UK might get a decent price for them

[Davef68]

Originally Posted by melmothtw

Am I right in thinking that the UK is the only nation to ever retire the C-130?

Spain too

[Commando Cody]

Originally Posted by rattman

Every cloud has a silver lining, allegedly theres a dozen countries looking at buying them, so the UK might get a decent price for them

There'll be no problem selling them. Heck, even the USMC bought one of them a while back to support the Blue Angels!