I heard they were actually disassembling some Apaches in storage to use for spare parts for the operational ones.

Well, the Apache's which aren't flying are obviously not flying for a reason. The computer equipment in them was not "up to scratch" for our Armed Forces and are not going to be flown untill it is upgraded.
But at the same time the MoD have a lot of money being spent on other projects for the Armed Forces, so are having to budget the costs into another year's expenditure. The need for the UK to have these attack helicopters is not immediate..thats what we are using America for in Iraq.

(Just what I heard)

Graham

Balderdash!!!!!!!!!!!!

The requisite number of Apache's are not flying, primarily because there aren't enough "willing" pilots to fly the damned overcomplicated machine:mad:

seemed to be a few flying round Carlisle today.

TC - Whatever happened to "I'm a General - you're not - go fly that Apache!"

Phil

Go fly an Apache...oh, and bye the way only because we need it in Afghanistan for a 9 month deployment, mate!

From what I hear - the lads are uncomfortable with the idea of flying a management system that takes about 2hrs to pre brief and prepare. They are used to getting airborne quickly and flying the damn thing.
It's not a popular tour............................

Seems a lot of software issues in the UK MOD of late.....Chinook IF kit...Apache Flight Management system....guess one can always find an excuse to down tools.

If one winds up with a single eight aircraft unit down the road....just what kind of combat capability is that to plan for?

So much for the superiority of the British Military technology it seems....at least there is still some guts behind the bayonet....or can you use a bayonet on the SA-80 thing? Uh Oh....should not have mentioned that either....not the best of rifles is it?

The Brits call on the Aussies to do their fighting for them anyway, which probably the reason military hardware is not on the to-do list. :p

SASless - ever stop to ask yourself where this dodgy software originates? Not a UK cause, but rather higher standards being applied in the UK.

I can't speak for the pre-brief requirements of any service, but from Battery ON to lift-off with all systems fully operational rarely takes me more than 15 minutes. I could take-off in half that time if I don't need certain systems immediately.

Should there really be a shortage of Apache pilots, have the MOD give me a call, I will sign up and move to the UK.

Nimby...

Is this the usual "British" higher standards? The kind that prevent mission accomplishment and cause several Thousand Million Pounds Sterling worth of equipment to set idle while the troops need the stuff in order to carry out their combat essential missions? The same kind of "higher standards" that gets the Squaddie's boots that melt in the desert?

I would suggest it is "incompetence" that causes these problems....fighters without guns....Chinooks without IF capability....Apaches without pilots....rifles that don't work. "Higher Standards" is an excuse for arrrogance and incompetence. The Apaches are flying in combat daily and doing a good job for several militaries. Maybe one day the British Apaches will get to fire real bullets at real targets.

the lads are uncomfortable with the idea of flying a management system that takes about 2hrs to pre brief and prepare.

Thats pretty normal for the AirForce isn't it, maybe the wrong service are operating it!!:eek:

That's an interesting comment, Cheesaburger - when I first heard the AAC were getting Apaches, a friend and I came to the conclusion that the guys who go on the courses would do very well, but the AAC wouldn't be able to handle the machines at all.

Since the ultimate fate of any helicopter on a battlefield is to get blown up, I have also thought it was better to have lots of cheap machines with trained crews than a few expensive ones. For example, the Chieftain may well be the best tank in the world, but not so good with 200 enemy tanks in front of it! But then, what do I know?

Phil

Uh, Phil - do you mean the Challenger 2?

Probably - shows my age!

phil

foto
 

do you got a foto of the dutch skinned apache longbow from project reality ??

Just looked in on this thread and I've never heard such uninformed bollo c ks being spouted in my life.

It's a tough tour sure, but the Apache drivers in Afghanistan are doing incredible stuff and, while the tour takes its toll, are very much enjoying slotting taliban by the truckload. They're also very good at it. They also allow most of the casevacs from warmer LZs to take place by virtue of raining flechette rockets on anyone who pops their head up and gives a dirty look at the IRT chinook.

Just ask 40 Cdo when they get back (round about now).

You're right there, CR, but then again most of the thread is well over 2 years old. You've not been around for a while. Been away somewhere nice?