Strange how the AAC have guys already training then...



Shaun

Unless you are commenting on information in the public domain. I think conjecture on this subject should be kept to a minimum. The MOD have refused to comment, and probably for a very good reason.

Sorry for being a killjoy.

MLT

What is the OPSEC issue as regards the cap badge(s) of the guys who operate these?

Equipment fit, mission capability, fair enough, but since it can only be RAF or Army there's not much to be gained by knowing which one :=

Airborne artist.
Why can't the RN get involved?
Apart from the fact that we aren't stupid, of course.

'Cos soon you won't have any carriers and it won't fit on a helideck?

MLT you are right so deleted all my comments for Leon Jabachjabicz

Looks like 45 SQN will have it's work cut out then!

http://www.airliners.net/open.file/1053607/L

..is that registration for real!

Got to wonder if the close proximity of the two orders is a coincidence, or a common specification and production line...

Iraqi Air Force orders King Air sensors
June 11, 2007

General Atomics Aeronautical Systems (GA-ASI) was awarded a contract to provide an initial lot of five integrated ISR sensor suites for Beechcraft King Air 350ER twin turboprop aircraft ordered by the new Iraqi Air Force.

The contract, which could be worth as much as $53 million, will see five aircraft equipped with GA-ASI Lynx IIE SAR/GMTI radar, an L-3 Communications/Wescam MX-15i electro-optical/infrared camera system, and CLAW sensor control and analysis software provided by Exclusive Charter Services of San Diego, Calif.

Linden Blue, president of GA-ASI’s reconnaissance systems unit, said the equipment integrates the sensors with an operator console station able to collect, format and display information. Imagery and other intelligence products can then be sent via airborne data link to ground stations.

Working through the U.S. Air Force’s Aeronautical Systems center at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base in Ohio, Iraq’s nascent defense ministry ordered six new King Air 350ERs — five for ISR and one for light transport — in March. Completion of the aircraft is slated for April 2008.

It will be interesting who actually gets these. In the early eighties there was serious discussions for the AAC to be given some Canberras with Battlefield Radar but the politics wouldn't allow it.

What are the politics of it?

The Army should operate on the land, the Royal Navy at sea and the Royal Air Force control the air element.

Exactly the attitude why it didn't get further!!

And what is wrong with that attitude?

You've not done a Det at Sea have you?


Shaun

Unfortunately yes I have, on more than one occassion.

Actually to be fair the RN were fantastic hosts and seem to really know what they are doing with their boats.:ok:

It just seems strange that some in the Army and RN have been bleating about disbanding the RAF for years after cherry picking the bits they want yet I've never heard of anyone in the RAF wanting a fleet of ships of our own or tanks to rumble around in.

You don't have to go far back to find that the RAF had light tanks (Scimitar) in the RAFR, and a bit further back the RAF operated some decent sized boats in the SAR role.

Indeed the RAF did, but it no longer does.

The light armoured RAF Regiment squadrons were binned during Options For Change I believe as they duplicated a task already carried out by the British Army and the RAF motor launches at RAF Mount Batten were superseeded by SAR helicopters in their rescue role and RN assets for their target towing role.

Mmmm. Where does that leave the RAF Regt in general. not just the CVR(T)'s (tanks as you call them. :rolleyes:)

The RAF Regt hasn't operated CVR(T)'s for quite a few years now. When I said 'tanks' I meant it in the MBT sense(:rolleyes: back atcha).

As an ex-Rifleman myself I too am baffled by the continuing exsistance of the RAF Regt.

Anyone else remember that lovely Black and White film, "The Sea Shall Not Have Them"?

Ronald Shiner, I think, about ASR during the war in the Channel.