Command Support Air Transport Recapitalisation
 

4 x BAe 146 to be replaced by 2 x biz jets.

The UK Ministry of Defence (MOD) currently operates a military fleet of BAe146 transport aircraft from RAF Northolt that will be withdrawn from service on 31 March 2022.

The CSAT RECAP project aims to replace this capability by adopting a procurement strategy featuring two phases:

1. Phase 1: Competitive procurement of two civil Business Jets to be Accepted by 31 Mar 22 with an in-service support package that will run until 31 March 2024. Six, six-month Option periods (totaling 3 years) will be included in the Contract for continuation of the phase 1 in-service support as required. These aircraft will be owned by the MoD but operated on the Civil Aircraft Register and initially operated by contractor-provided civilian pilots. Phase 1 also includes the training of military pilots and cabin crew and the use of these service personnel to compliment the civilian pilots in the delivery of the service.

2. Phase 2: A separate competitive procurement for the embodiment of military modifications on the aircraft, from 1 April 2024 (subject to take-up of options), and provision of in-service support utilising military personnel in the operation of the aircraft, with an associated transfer of aircraft to the Military Aircraft Register.

The Aircraft will need to achieve a minimum unrefueled range of 3,850nm from an unrestricted airfield transporting up to 8 passengers, 3 crew and associated baggage.

The CSAT Recap Aircraft will be owned by MoD but will be leased back to the Contractor and operated during the period of Phase 1 on the Civil Aircraft Register by the Contractor who will assume all airworthiness responsibility.

CSAT RECAP Phase 1 requires delivery of up to 980 flying hours in the first year ending 31 March 2023 and up to 1200 flying hours in the second year, ending 31 March 2024 from the two Aircraft that are available.

These services are to be available 7 days per week, 365 days per year from the Contractors Operating Base and/or the MOB. CSAT Recap requires delivery of a support arrangement that will incorporate all scheduled and unscheduled maintenance arisings where risk will be appropriately apportioned to ensure that a high level of Aircraft availability can be reasonably achieved.

The solution also requires the Contractor to manage delivery of all Aircraft movements in accordance with tasking from the Authority.

While civilian crews are required to pilot the Aircraft in Phase 1, this phase also includes a requirement to train an initial cadre of RAF pilots and cabin crew to supplement the civilian pilots in delivering the flying hours.

Command Support Air Transport Recapitalisation (CSAT Recap) - Find a Tender (find-tender.service.gov.uk)

We’d like the moon on a stick, but we’ve got no money.

I am sure that for the greater glory of Alexander Boris de pffevel Johnson, the World King the money will be found.

Are the military pilots and cabin crew expected to do anything other than polish the egos of their civilian counterparts?
:E

Maintain a capability to fly the aircraft into potentially hostile areas for missions such as:

- Transport for PJHQ Recce Teams planning a deployed operation.

- In-theatre transport for deployed HQ staff (as we had on Op GRANBY).

Hence the "military modifications" mentioned..

Now here’s an off the wall idea… bin the range requirement as you probably won’t be flying to Afghanistan any time soon, settle on 1,860 odd miles which will cover most of Europe and buy / lease a pair of civilian variants of the King Air 350 which will be common in spares etc with the Shadows, should be easier to retrofit with secure comms etc as per the Shadow and as they are looking to two extra Shadows add them to that purchase and cheaper than bizjets.…

King Airs are nowhere as flashy looking as those big planes with hairdryers either side of the rear fuselage, Nutty. Too much common sense.

RAF Eng

I think kiwi is getting at the spelling-compliment vs complement. Unless of course I am reading too much into it.

3,850nm, is that enough for London to Washington DC with reserves?

Couple of nice Falcon 7Xs might appease Napolean across the Channel....

Or New York to deliver the Prince of Old York to trial? :rolleyes:

Nutty,as long as the US send that female Intelligence from Croughton agent back to stand trial ...

USAF is getting 2 x new C-37B - Gulfstream 550 - for $159M including military upgrades !

Brown delivers new C-37B to Joint Base Andrews > Air Force Materiel Command > Article Display (af.mil)

Well the Gulfstream would make sense as it has U.K. content in the engines fitted, I just hate to think of how they will screw up its lines with a garish scheme

Why am I routinely left with the impression that we want an Air Force in name only given the fascination with contracting out.

What about all the Global Express jets no longer wanted by V(AC) Sqn since March last year? Take off the bulgy bits and put some old VC10 seats in the back - job's a good 'un and far cheaper!

You could shove the Portakabin VIP fit in the back of a Herc , as they did for Maggie when she went south, oh wait, we’re binning the Hercs as well.

Does the tender say 'Must be called Gulfstream'?

One problem with the Gulfstream is its footprint.

Maggie hardly used it. She sat on the flight deck most of the way. Denis did though !