WAR ROLE FOR REDS?
Joined: Mar 2018
Posts: 212
Likes: 36
From: UK
Whilst I realise the OP is somewhat tongue in cheek, perhaps it’s time we start to think a bit more outside the box.
We currently have F35s and Typhoons on CAP shooting ASRAAM at $20k drones.
When we buy a turboprop trainer like the Texan ( or rent them) maybe we should spend the extra and get the more upmarket version or an alternative that can be armed. Good slow speed performance, but easily fast enough to catch a small drone and the cost of the upgrade from Texan would be covered with the first few FJ CAPs saved and ASRAAMs unfired?
We currently have F35s and Typhoons on CAP shooting ASRAAM at $20k drones.
When we buy a turboprop trainer like the Texan ( or rent them) maybe we should spend the extra and get the more upmarket version or an alternative that can be armed. Good slow speed performance, but easily fast enough to catch a small drone and the cost of the upgrade from Texan would be covered with the first few FJ CAPs saved and ASRAAMs unfired?
Last edited by ASRAAMTOO; 6th March 2026 at 20:09.
Joined: Nov 2005
Aviation Qualifications: PPL
Posts: 12,446
Likes: 367
From: Wildest Surrey
Weren't they called 'shadow' squadrons; training units were assigned a 'shadow' squadron number and equipped with a pair of Sidewinders.
Joined: Jan 2019
Aviation Qualifications: LAME
Posts: 803
Likes: 642
From: Cumbria
Whilst I realise the OP is somewhat tongue in cheek, perhaps it’s time we start to think a bit more outside the box.
We currently have F35s and Typhoons on CAP shooting ASRAAM at $20k drones.
When we buy a turboprop trainer like the Texan ( or rent them) maybe we should spend the extra and get the more upmarket version or an alternative that can be armed. Good slow speed performance, but easily fast enough to catch a small drone and the cost of the upgrade from Texan would be covered with the first few FJ CAPs saved and ASRAAMs unfired?
We currently have F35s and Typhoons on CAP shooting ASRAAM at $20k drones.
When we buy a turboprop trainer like the Texan ( or rent them) maybe we should spend the extra and get the more upmarket version or an alternative that can be armed. Good slow speed performance, but easily fast enough to catch a small drone and the cost of the upgrade from Texan would be covered with the first few FJ CAPs saved and ASRAAMs unfired?
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 708
Likes: 117
From: the far south
I've got a war role for The Reds.
Send them all to the training system to try and reduce the monumental, embarrassing, delays in training RAF Pilots or send them back to the front line.
Ten plus qualified Military instructors flying aerobatics whilst we pay other countries to train our pilots during a time of global war.
Dozens (hundreds?) of technical and support staff.
We can't afford them.
I wish we could - really i do.
But we can't.
We're already well into a major global conflict on several fronts and UK PLC needs to get it's sh!£ together and focus on what is going to protect this country.
It''s not going to be Red White and Blue smoke!
Send them all to the training system to try and reduce the monumental, embarrassing, delays in training RAF Pilots or send them back to the front line.
Ten plus qualified Military instructors flying aerobatics whilst we pay other countries to train our pilots during a time of global war.
Dozens (hundreds?) of technical and support staff.
We can't afford them.
I wish we could - really i do.
But we can't.
We're already well into a major global conflict on several fronts and UK PLC needs to get it's sh!£ together and focus on what is going to protect this country.
It''s not going to be Red White and Blue smoke!
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 536
Likes: 71
From: Overseas
Regardless of your views on the Reds and their worth, they are not the root cause of the abject failures in the RAF training system. Having another 9-10 pilots available, not all of whom are instructors, would make no difference.
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 1,264
Likes: 142
From: Around
Quite, 40 odd techies won't make a difference either.
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 708
Likes: 117
From: the far south
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 708
Likes: 117
From: the far south
Just pro tem till they can buy an advanced trainer.
Joined: Jul 2003
Aviation Qualifications: Military (Retired)
Posts: 2,688
Likes: 1,522
From: Near the coast
TR
Great idea but that ship has sailed. From flash to bang to get a syllabus DSAT compliant and CFS accredited would be more trouble than it’s worth.
I know that everyone loves to spitball and think they can solve the problem but the reality is that the RAF currently has Hawk T2 and that’s it. We have outsourced to various other locations for various stages of training but the Hawk T1 is no longer a solution.
BV
I know that everyone loves to spitball and think they can solve the problem but the reality is that the RAF currently has Hawk T2 and that’s it. We have outsourced to various other locations for various stages of training but the Hawk T1 is no longer a solution.
BV
