U.K. Military Crews Won't Be Part of SAR-H Deal
 

I'm hearing an announcement is to be made on Monday (source not from pprune.)


U.K. Military Crews Won't Be Part of SAR-H Deal - Defense News

So, who is now going to do battlefield SAR?

We will avoid battles but if not rely on our allies for rescue:O

Yet another capability lost:mad:

"Losing bidders will be watching carefully to ensure the contract has not been materially altered since Soteria was named preferred bidder, one analyst here said."

Surely the whole prog will have to be rebid as this is a significant change to the original contract? Or will there be some crappy get out clause that protects the 'Preferred Bidder'...............:D

What a sad day that such an iconic capability is being offloaded!

And will there be any requirement for the MRT? Or is that being offloaded aswell?

Good point but such shenanigans are common place. Losing bidders (i.e. hadn't a hope in the first place) are usually told to keep quiet or they will be blacklisted. In the days when we had funding, you often found the "losers" were awarded another contract a month or so later, thus maintaining their share of the Defence budget. Happens less these days, for some reason.

Farewell Coastal! Thanks for being there when we needed you!
 

The demise of any mil input to UK SAR, while not affecting general civ helo rescue in many circumstances, will have a marked effect on the UK mil's profile in the UK...especially once we have withdrawn from that unwinnable conflict in Afghanistan. What a strange country we now live in where fighting such a distant war is apparently more important than ensuring air force involvement in our own shore and maritime defences. It will also stunt any future military initiatives in this capability as the strategic situation changes around our coasts - a double blow along with the chopping of our LRMP/ISTAR platform capability.

Thus 2010 will stand as the year in which UK plc gave up on any dedicated maritme air capability within its air force. From the 3 major components that formed Coastal Command (and it's later sub versions) from WW2 onwards (ASW, Antiship & ASR (as it was then)) - to nil...s*d all...finito...... Many of course will continue to believe that the Battle of Britain clinched the deal for us in WW2, when in fact it was the continous and brave efforts of our maritime air forces (Coastal & the FAA) that won the Battle of the Atlantic...and from there victory was borne.

Bye bye good friend....many courageous, professional and dedicated people served (and continue to serve for a few years yet) and worked hard with limited resources to develop much of the capability which is now being contracted out.....Goodbye.............

"Constant Endeavour"......no more:{:ugh::confused:

"So, who is now going to do battlefield SAR?"

It was never the SAR guys that fulfilled that role, good god, that would mean working more that 10 days a month and no slippers and pipe! :ok:

The guys that have been doing it for years will continue to do it, SH and the Americans.

I am sure the Taliban would appreciate a huge bright yellow Sea King shaped target in Afghanistan. :E

A SAR-H contract being let? :=

This is great news (although not really news) but will mean plenty of jobs for the boys in civvy street....thankfully, I see a lot of CV's being written....

Sar Who Does It
 

I have spent the last five years operating fixed wing into Aberdeen along with many angry palm trees

During those years I have been vastly impressed by the profesionalism and sheer tenacity of the helo boys and girls

Who should do SAR is a valid argument but don,t enter it with the idea the civy helos are not capable

Hardly! It's not as if the existing SAR set-up is going to be binned overnight...is it?:eek:

Quite - I mean, it may take a whole week when they finally decide who gets the job and when.

There is a distinct difference between civil SAR and CSAR. Your EH101 crews will no doubt continue to improve their CSAR ability despite the loss of civil SAR mission.

The EH101 CSAR role never actually materialised mate. As I understand it, the Merlin boys did a fairly big work-up, configured the sqn and were validated by NATO in role - only to have the role deleted.

Should the USAF be unavailable, Brit CSAR (such as it is..) will be cuffed by whatever platform is available in-theatre at the time.

So what will happen to SARTU and the SAR cover in the Falklands and Cyprus?

Noone's quite sure yet...even when the main SAR-H announcement is made (I'm assuming it's 'when' not 'if'!), it may take some time for the loose ends such as the 3 units you mention are dealt with. If you have time on your hands, you can gain some idea of the options from the concise and 100% accurate SAR-H thread on Rotorheads...:\

So when will the announcement be made...?

It sounds as though something official may finally be announced at some point this week:

BBC News - Coastguard centres face closure amid spending cuts

Well that's not going to happen as PW will, by 2014, have moved on to his next post as XO UK :D

However, my money's on the above being the angle the red tops take, soon as they realise the implications of this announcement.

Cynical? Moi?

PS By red top, I mean any and all modern dumbed down media.

:ugh:

I swear I never read this on Rotorheads before posting above!

Prince William helicopter crew could be cut as David Cameron sells off search and rescue - mirror.co.uk

You couldn't make it up! So predictable!

Someone once told me the PR value of those big friendly yellow helicopters was 'priceless'...



Given that the RAF will have an even more reduced footprint in terms of aircraft, bases and personnel, does it make sense to get rid of one of the few ways in which Joe Public are aware of the RAFs (+RNs) work which has a direct, positive impact on saving UK lives....

Kestrel

No.

But when did value figure in the bottom line - which is all we're interested in nowadays.

You're right, though; post Afg what visibility will the Armed Forces have in the public eye? Little, I suspect. Which then makes Defence easy pickings for cuts in the future.

One day, we'll wake up and it'll all be a bad dream :hmm:

The armed forces do not exist just to be seen and have a high profile with the public, cutting mil sar would be a huge shame but keeping it mil just so people can see us doing stuff other than fighting isn't right either.

BBC News - Search and rescue fleet 'could be privatised'

At 47 seconds there are a pair of maintainers marshalling the aircraft. One with his sleeves rolled up and one who doesn't believe in eye protection.....

Jay

I don't think anyone is even remotely suggesting the Forces should exist just to be seen - however, even with the latest cuts, the budget is still a big chunk of taxpayers money and I think they need to know what you're bringing to the party. There is precious little positive profile at the moment, much less with the demise of mil SAR. Aside from Afghanistan and the odd bit of MACP eg troops (inc RN and RAF) shovelling snow, some of the few 'good news' stories coming out of MoD are to do with the professionalism and bravery of RAF / RN SAR crews.

The point is, it won't take much for JP to ask, post Afg - what exactly do you do?

The problem is I am so cynical about everything now, experience show us that anything could and will happen and I am afraid no ammount of good news stories or high profile press will make any difference.

So, with the demise of Harrier and if the Merlins don't go to the Junglies, and if SARH disbands 771 and Gannet, how big/small will the FAA be in 5 years time? Will it be sustainable then or will l
the light blue brethren need to get used to spending time afloat flying of the back if Pussers' big grey war canoes!

Fleet Air Arm of the Royal Air Force anyone?
;)

That would leave 30 Merlin HM.2s, about the same number of Lynx Wildcats and the ASaC cabs. Could the FAA justify keep Culdrose and Yeovilton open? Plenty of room at VL for the grey fleet, 750 could decamp to Cranwell as part of MFTS, SFDO to wherever Dave is based, FRADU back to Bournemouth or even St. Mawgan -sorry, Newquay Cornwall Airport. I guess the Fire School could merge with the Manston establishment.

Ouch.:sad:

Bear in mind that Yeovilton won't just be home to the Navy Wildcats, but also the Army and Marine examples as well, so that's 62 aircraft, and the potential for a handful more to come. VL will be a very busy place.

Does that mean that Middle Wallop will close?

No, Middle Wallop is needed to house DHFS when Shawbury closes...

Or will it be Lyneham in 2017?

So where does MFTS fit into military helicopter training in all this....?

BBC: Search and rescue helicopter announcement delayed

16 December 2010 Last updated at 08:46

The government has postponed a planned announcement about the sell-off of the UK's search and rescue helicopters.

A foreign consortium had been due to take over their running from the RAF.

But the government "had become aware of a possible issue in connection with its bid" within the past 48 hours, said Transport Secretary Philip Hammond.

He said that "as soon as we are able" the government would set out its plans "to secure the provision of search and rescue helicopter capability".

Possible Issue
 

What issue has just come to light then? Don't go needingvto be rescued in the Falklands :D

Slightly off topic, but government announcing its cutting coastguard centres from 18 to 8, of which only 3 will be 24/7, and this is going to improve current levels of service....

How?!?!

I'm guessing the intention was to announce this and SAR-H at the same time... A good time to bury bad news?

BBC News - Coastguard stations set to be slashed

Essentially,

Aberdeen, Dover and Lee on solent remain 24 hrs.

Swansea, Falmouth, Humber, Belfast or Liverpool, Stornoway or Shetland go to daylight only

The rest will close

Coastguard Station closures
 

First post please bear with me.

The cost of SAR-H is escalating at the same time the MCA has announced station closures - but since last month, and continuing for at least a year the MCA is spending thousands on a roll-out of new computer systems and upgraded radio systems in ALL 19 stations.:ugh:

So much for saving money. At the same time the MCA is still advertising low paid vacancies.

How can this be justified ?

Too much overpaid middle management & meddlers in situations that they do not understand.:ugh:

This has a major impact on all aspects of SAR. No DF, 3 full time stations, no local knowledge - how can we at the coalface direct SAR assets ?
Part time SAR does not work 9-5:rolleyes:

Thoughts ?

Great isn't it.

The Far SW has the longest coastline but won't be getting much in the way of cover.

But this is an improvement in service!! It'll be better! :ugh: