So what will be the next trainer?
 

https://www.flightglobal.com/defence/raf-starts-exploring-hawk-t2-replacement-options-to-support-gcap-fleet/157106.article

In the future, please do not simply post a link. At least give a short summary of what you read in the article. For example:See how easy that is?
T28B
.



They'll have all sorts of evaluations then buy the T-7, demand lots of changes, then buy 2/3 of the requirement because the costs go up. (Then give the T2s to the RAFAT)

Yes, absolutely this!!! Also, maybe also say why you're posting the link/what discussion you're looking to generate on the back of posting the link.

The last CAS said he wanted a 100% synthetic training solution. I'm assuming this is no longer the case?

Interesting to see the link comes via Facebook...

Seems that way, in fact it looks like they intend to use simulated environments in a real aeroplane.

I mean, that's pretty much what the Hawk T2 does with its synthetic radar, but they do certainly need to move away from the 100% simulation. I remember Gen Brown being asked about it, and him having to preface his answer with a lot of, "Mike is a great friend of mine..." and "Mike is a great guy..." etc. Clear he thought it was nonsense.

Wigston
 

To be fair to Wigston I believe he actually suggested a 90/10 split of synthetic/live training. Still bonkers but at certain levels even those of us that love flying have to accept that, for certain tasks and aircraft types, simulation can be as good as or even better than the real thing.

As for the next trainer I have to say that I find it hard to believe there is any circumstance in which the Aeralis trainer (I still can’t believe nobody else is talking about the fact that they have completely changed their design from high wing to low wing in their concept art) can do something that the Hawk can’t. Unless UK jobs is your sole driving factor. And assuming it is developed and manufactured in Britain. As always I will caveat that by saying that I hope to be proven wrong and that the Aeralis jet becomes a great British success story.

BV

With the T-50, M346 and T-7 either in production or about to enter production, I think Aeralis will find it difficult to gain a toe hold inthe market, even if the RAF buys it.

Don't forget, "rip out perfectly good gear and insert UK sourced black boxes to boost UK sourced content, further increasing delays and costs, and shovel tons of money to BAE to try to get it to work....."

lets look at this a little bit sensibly… the t7 is a partnership between Boeing and Saab. Bae also have a partnership with Saab. The t 7 has been designed for synthetic training with one of the types we seem to be purchasing.

logic would suggest the red tail being an optimal choice. That said it probably won’t be

sandy: FWIW, keeping the UK defense industrial base warm is important to do. (See current events for why). So if it keeps BAE in the UK warm, perhaps (in the long run) a good path forward.

Oh I do understand that, it does makes sense for keeping industry engaged and warm, and for the political approval and jobs perspective, but undoubtedly adds cost, and when done wrong (Chinook mk3, AJAX vehicles....) can be problematic. .

Its starting to add a lot of cost - largely because it becomes harder to keep industry warm as the military gets ever smaller and the multiples of numbers per order get smaller and smaller. Industry can only be kept warm with constant work. MOD and Govt in general can't seem to grasp this. At some point the numbers will be so small that bespoke will have to go out of the window....and you'll just have to buy off-the-shelf from others with no bespoke mods, just as others do.

The obvious way to keeping the defence base warm, an important part of any National Security Strategy, is to have a European defence procurement program. Each nation’s defence industry provides a particular piece of kit for all of EU, with total program benefits equalling out for each country.

I know that sounds hopelessly naive but recent events do seem to alerted politicians to the value of having a functioning defence production infrastructure.

In any case, as a Canadian I probably should not be lecturing anyone on defence production policy as Canada is a case study on how not to do defence procurement with the Cyclone Helicopter and the National Ship Building strategy as sad examples of how to maximize cost while minimizing capability.

When will T-7 be truly operational? What's keeping that from happening?

Production delivery is due in 2025, with test aircraft being delivered in 2024, but they are suffering ‘parts difficulty’ with/from suppliers.

With an ever reducing fast-jet fleet why do we need a fast-jet trainer? It's time to face reality - team to train overseas.

The next Trainer will look like all others; hunched up shoulders and swept-back foreheads. There is a reason. When you as it a question, it hunches up it's shoulders and looks bemused. When you tell it the answer,it smacks it's own forehead.

Aeralis CEO Tristan Crawford talking to the Defence Select Committee

Scroll forward to 15:20 ish...