Is this the end for CHF?
 

It sounds as if the Sea Kings are being paid off early with no replacement. Merlins and Wildcats to replace them? Where are the airframes coming from?

Or have I missed something obvious?

All news : RN Live : News and Events : Royal Navy

Commander Joint Helicopter Command, Rear Admiral Tony Johnstone-Burt, said:

"The superior lift performance of the Chinook has proved invaluable on operations. This new strategy will dramatically increase our military capability on the battlefield for many years to come."

The new strategy will see the ageing Sea Kings, which the Royal Navy and RAF currently use, being taken out of service early.

The Navy's future helicopter requirements will be met by a combination of the Merlin fleet and new Wildcats.

The Army will also operate Wildcats alongside the hugely successful Apache. It will mean that following the retirement of Puma from 2022, the UK's Armed Forces will operate four core helicopter fleets of Chinook, Apache, Wildcat and Merlin, with around 65-75 of each aircraft.

Yes. RAF Merlins to be transferred to CHF and marinised, Benson sqns to re-role from Merlin to Chinook.

Yup, Lord Melchett is correct. If you're lucky we'll throw in the "Dolly-Bird" crew as well for another Chinook (or a couple of Camels)!

http://www.mod.uk/NR/rdonlyres/C72C2...0OUTUNC313.jpg

One of those 'dollybirds' has a DFC. Do you, B Word?

If marinising the Merlins includes incorporating a folding tail rotor I'm not sure the piggy bank will stretch to that.....

Apparently (ie according to the Minister for Defence Procurement yesterday at the Defence Committee), it will - folding main blades and origami boom. Unfortunately, apparently the rest of it didn't go so well.... http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/new...cle6958284.ece

S41

MGD

Nope. I'm also not a "Dolly Bird" either - are you? :ok:

This was not meant as a swipe at Michelle and her gang - it was meant to be sarcastic that the Govt is having an RAF asset sale to the other Services. So why not offer up some of our personnel assets as well? A kind of tongue in cheek poke at the Arab-gentleman "How much for your daughter?" line.

B Word

Will the Merlin simulator be moving down to Culdrose as well ? It could easily sit next to the Mk 1 Merlin Simulator.

Has anybody seen this in writing yet?

Do the pilots wear g suits on chinooks then? Or are their brains so big that they don't have to write anything down?

CG

At a guess, SoS Def, CAS, CinC Air, COs Benson and Odiham.

And quite a few mates on the Merlin fleet now moaning that they don't want to trade down to the Chinook!

and quite a few Junglies who are not that keen on moving down to Cornwall. Although in their defence, I talked to 3 or 4 Jungly Aircrewmen yesterday and they were completely upbeat about it.

Read the Future Rotary Vision Statement.

CHF is not moving from VL.

Staish of Odiham was on BBC South news on Tuesday talking about it, and Benson's Staish was on last night, saying that Wokkas are really quite quiet ;)

Thats all been taken care of. Westlands have a production line in progress just for that very thing. They have even started planning for the first Merlin Mk7 ASaC.

MGD, I'm guessing you don't know the real story surrounding her DFC then :)

Which one has the DFC? Is it the good looking one on the right?

Ask your guide dog ;)

Poor recce - its a Merlin crew with a Merlin in the background. Lots wear kneeboards as the suits are much more comfortable without knee pockets.

Is it correct that the 'Future' RW policy was written by a CH47 'mate' and endorsed by a CH47 'mate'?

What are the implications of the RAF flying just one RW type in the long-term?

How long will the RN take to convert to MK3/a?

Where will the RN get the extra crews (Pilots/Cmn/Engineers)required to operate the MK3/a? (I know some AEops and Nimrod Engs looking for a job:8)

With the various restructuring and resource savings going on, possibly now would be the time to consolidate all RW assets under a 'Light-Blue' banner and let Air do what it is supposed to do.