RAF transport fleet cuts
As was once said after a USAF briefing "What the Major (Sqn/Ldr) really means is...."..it`s been a really big `f**k-up all along......
Shame you didn`t throw in a few `leaning forwards`,reaching-out,and picking -up the the low-fruiting hangers-on` in that `total management concept` there Beags...!!
Shame you didn`t throw in a few `leaning forwards`,reaching-out,and picking -up the the low-fruiting hangers-on` in that `total management concept` there Beags...!!
IIRC, THE 'J' was almost two years late into service as Lockheed seriously underestimated the task.This caused the 'K' to be run on longer than anticipated with a huge knock on effect on spares and personnel. None of this could have reasonably been forseen by the RAF as it was not until late in the day that Lockheed came clean about the problems with their 'easy' project.
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IIRC, THE 'J' was almost two years late into service as Lockheed seriously underestimated the task.This caused the 'K' to be run on longer than anticipated with a huge knock on effect on spares and personnel. None of this could have reasonably been forseen by the RAF as it was not until late in the day that Lockheed came clean about the problems with their 'easy' project.
Mr N,
I am sure you are right but whatever the (usual) lousy contract said the boys and girls at the coal face had to do with an increasingly unserviceable 'K' fleet.
My only contact with the 'J' came as a member of the HEART when we visited Abbey Wood for the day The team there were very cagey about the 'J' and it did not inspire us with confidence By the time the 'J' came into service I had already left having already been extended for a year to do the HEART job.
As the RAF was the 'J' launch customer I think that Lockheed could have shown a bit more respect ! Perhaps I am being very naive !
I am sure you are right but whatever the (usual) lousy contract said the boys and girls at the coal face had to do with an increasingly unserviceable 'K' fleet.
My only contact with the 'J' came as a member of the HEART when we visited Abbey Wood for the day The team there were very cagey about the 'J' and it did not inspire us with confidence By the time the 'J' came into service I had already left having already been extended for a year to do the HEART job.
As the RAF was the 'J' launch customer I think that Lockheed could have shown a bit more respect ! Perhaps I am being very naive !
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Mr N,
I am sure you are right but whatever the (usual) lousy contract said the boys and girls at the coal face had to do with an increasingly unserviceable 'K' fleet.
My only contact with the 'J' came as a member of the HEART when we visited Abbey Wood for the day The team there were very cagey about the 'J' and it did not inspire us with confidence By the time the 'J' came into service I had already left having already been extended for a year to do the HEART job.
As the RAF was the 'J' launch customer I think that Lockheed could have shown a bit more respect ! Perhaps I am being very naive !
I am sure you are right but whatever the (usual) lousy contract said the boys and girls at the coal face had to do with an increasingly unserviceable 'K' fleet.
My only contact with the 'J' came as a member of the HEART when we visited Abbey Wood for the day The team there were very cagey about the 'J' and it did not inspire us with confidence By the time the 'J' came into service I had already left having already been extended for a year to do the HEART job.
As the RAF was the 'J' launch customer I think that Lockheed could have shown a bit more respect ! Perhaps I am being very naive !
I seem to remember LM was paying to have the aircraft ‘stored’ in the UK (Marshall’s?) as they needed them out of the way.
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Those who think the J should be retained for longer should perhaps consider the state that these aircraft are in after years of brutal work in the deserts of Afghan, Iraq, Kuwait and Saudi. My informants tell me that they are effectively "life expired" and the only solution along the "J" road is brand new replacements.
Those who think the J should be retained for longer should perhaps consider the state that these aircraft are in after years of brutal work in the deserts of Afghan, Iraq, Kuwait and Saudi. My informants tell me that they are effectively "life expired" and the only solution along the "J" road is brand new replacements.
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2021 23:49
if they sell them off there`ll be a big `cancellation` fee going to Marshalls...
if they sell them off there`ll be a big `cancellation` fee going to Marshalls...
Re avionics upgrade, It would be interesting to know, as the upgrade to Block 8.1 sounds fairly crucial to the aircraft's continued viability. As recently as last year it was referred to as being "under way".
In respect of avionic updates to the Hercules fleet as part of our remit the HEART team interviewed the civil servant overseeing ' the 'K' ' HINS nav update It was very late and over budget.
It appeared that the contract for the INS bit and GPS bit had been given to different companies without either one being responsible for the whole. When difficulties arose each, predictably blamed each other ! The 'overseer ' seemed not bothered in the least at this sate of affairs despite the urgent need to get it into service.
It appeared that the contract for the INS bit and GPS bit had been given to different companies without either one being responsible for the whole. When difficulties arose each, predictably blamed each other ! The 'overseer ' seemed not bothered in the least at this sate of affairs despite the urgent need to get it into service.
Unfortunately AA, still a common failure, despite being mandated in every aviation contract. FADEC for Chinook Mk1, and MADGE for SHAR FRS1, being obvious examples with far-reaching effects.
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Ken,3 of the `K`s went to Austria,and 2 to SriLanka( maybe even ex-tankers) and still appear to be working....
The Sri Lankan’s did take a couple of the old tankers and they really were tired. Multiple sorties at TOWs of 175,000lb did take their toll, as did the fighter affiliation even if we had to burn down to 135,000lb (as I recall) before we started to rack up the FI. Happy days!!
Back to the original question of retaining the J - a few years ago I had to host an amiable young lady at one of the OM annual shindigs for local dignitaries. She was from the A400 wing design team at Filton and I asked her about battle damage repair to the composite wing. She said there was none possible and that a single round through the structure would scrap the entire wing. ‘How many spare wings were there?’ I asked. ‘’None’ she said...
So in any future war scenario we might need some alternative Tac AT ac!
The Dutch recently rejected the A400 as the C130 replacement as it had operational limitations.
Every other A400 operator apart from Belgium operates either the C130 & / or C235 / C295.
The RAF C130 fleet was due to remain in service until 2035 & If the RAF were replacing them with C295 or C27J it may make more sense.
In an increasing volatile world both politically & with more adverse weather conditions any cut to our transport fleet (fixed wing & rotary) seems a very short sighted decision.
Every other A400 operator apart from Belgium operates either the C130 & / or C235 / C295.
The RAF C130 fleet was due to remain in service until 2035 & If the RAF were replacing them with C295 or C27J it may make more sense.
In an increasing volatile world both politically & with more adverse weather conditions any cut to our transport fleet (fixed wing & rotary) seems a very short sighted decision.