E-3D Final Sortie
Seems pretty obvious to me that a reason for the gap between E-3D and E-7 would be retraining of all the aircrew and engineers. Unless the RAF has magically found a spare squadrons' worth of each?
Certainly a good idea, but I suspect two things....firstly that won't happen and people will be scattered in the wind to where they are needed right now. And secondly I bet a fair few PVRs have gone in to avoid a posting to the frozen north when it does come in...
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I can’t see training being that drawn out, it’s basically a 737 with a few extras chucked down the back. The danger there is training people on 737 then retaining them, pilot and engineer wise, though the industry is a bit flat at the moment in the real world..
Sale or Scrap ?
...
The only UK Sentry E-3D AWACS (out of the original seven) that has flown since early August 2021 is ZH101, so it now seems reasonable to presume that once again, another UK Taxpayer funded Military Resource has been negligently allowed to wither on the operational vine and also lose its 'airworthiness' before any hastily procured replacement can be put into service.
I wonder what the final straw was ? Loss, absence of, or inability to demonstrate ASSC or even possibly, realisation by management that some crews were unhappy.
Given some of the persuasive 'loss of airworthiness' posts about this and several other UK military aircraft types, and despite the apparent 'AWACS available for sale' ticket, this might suggest that ZH101 may only be flying on a specific once a week sortie by sortie 'National Interest (FC - FS) Waiver' reluctantly issued by DG DSA or higher 'regulatory' authority.
LFH
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The only UK Sentry E-3D AWACS (out of the original seven) that has flown since early August 2021 is ZH101, so it now seems reasonable to presume that once again, another UK Taxpayer funded Military Resource has been negligently allowed to wither on the operational vine and also lose its 'airworthiness' before any hastily procured replacement can be put into service.
I wonder what the final straw was ? Loss, absence of, or inability to demonstrate ASSC or even possibly, realisation by management that some crews were unhappy.
Given some of the persuasive 'loss of airworthiness' posts about this and several other UK military aircraft types, and despite the apparent 'AWACS available for sale' ticket, this might suggest that ZH101 may only be flying on a specific once a week sortie by sortie 'National Interest (FC - FS) Waiver' reluctantly issued by DG DSA or higher 'regulatory' authority.
LFH
...
It was originally going to be 5 Wedgetails IIRC - but then , once again, economic reality intervened
Of course the UK COULD afford 5 but then a sacred cow or three would have to suffer - say increase taxes, or do away withe pension triple lock, or cut funding for University expansion.......
Of course the UK COULD afford 5 but then a sacred cow or three would have to suffer - say increase taxes, or do away withe pension triple lock, or cut funding for University expansion.......
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The need to keep (flight) crew current implies that the MOD hope to sell one or two of the E3Ds in a flyable state. In a recent article in Air Combat Magazine a member of the French E3F support organisation is quoted as stating that the FAF are interested in obtaining spare parts for their E3F airframes which I understand are the critical issue for long term support.
Their aircraft have been upgraded to the latest E3C standard including the extra consoles (total 14) so not much of the mission system except perhaps some of the heavy radar gear and antenna will be of much use to them. They have also added some French National equipment added making them a very capable ISTAR system.
Their aircraft have been upgraded to the latest E3C standard including the extra consoles (total 14) so not much of the mission system except perhaps some of the heavy radar gear and antenna will be of much use to them. They have also added some French National equipment added making them a very capable ISTAR system.
Chile only have one Phalcon and I’d be amazed if it’s anywhere near fit for purpose nowadays. I’m not sure it even met Chile’s expectations when they took delivery of it over 25 years ago! If they decided to buy the E-3D, I guess they might buy one as a direct replacement and others as spares. It would be a significant upgrade to Chile’s current capability for, relatively, not a lot of money.
Could be a win-win but wouldn’t be surprised if the Israelis are trying to tempt Chile with an alternative deal.
Could be a win-win but wouldn’t be surprised if the Israelis are trying to tempt Chile with an alternative deal.