Was it an ASTOR Global Express?
 

Seen today - not by me - on the A 68 near Halton in Northumberland. UK 0930ish. Described as an "executive jet" and very low (mil height.) heading South West.

I'm guessing it was transiting Otterburn to Speydaddam.

Possibly a Global Express with ASTOR?

Anyoe know?

Cheers


Dan

The only reference I know of between Global express and the word ASTOR is the long awaited and over budgeted ASTOR project To you the Canberra PR9 replacement long in the planning, late in the Delivery, and as stated well over Budget.
The only MOD procurement that comes close to beating the Tornado,s record for delays and over pricing.
One delay I understand was the insistance on carrying the Hughes camera ex U2 1960 tech, " What do you mean it won't fit through the door cut a whole in the side like we did with the Canberra, What do you mean you can't because its pressurised whats pressurised anyway !!!!!!!
If the plane was there look for a big truck its part of the package gives the generals actual time data of the battle field. bit like the US Global Hawk but 100 times more expensive.

Exec jet, possibly mil - my guess would be a RAF Hs125 (Dominie)

Fried Chicken

I do know that at least one of the Globexs have been delivered to Chester(I think) quite some time ago(could even be as long as a year),and could well now be role equipped, and on flight trials.

If I'm giving away National secrets here,I'm only repeating what I seem to remember reading!

Not much requirement for the Gobex's to do any low level stuff, when the RAF get them, sooooo my money is on a Dom.

Lots and lots of CWL's check the gap daily!!
:)

I understand that at least 3 (or is it 4? as they have a total of 5 to be delivered) BD700s are at Hawarden having their systems fitted & checked. The original machine (serial ZJ690 c/n 9107) should still be in the States undergoing flight testing.

Fried Chicken

Could be a Falcon 20 [based at Tees-Side]
watp,iktch

FRA low flying ?? Never seen it myself

;)


http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v2...ng/falcon9.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v2...g/falcon14.jpg

ASTOR, is not a replacement for the Canberra PR.9, it's role is completely different and more akin to that of a J-STARS. The likely replacement for the Canberra is a UAV.

Maverick,

Nimrod AEW, Eurofighter Typhoon and Nimrod again. Just three projects which I think you will find knock ASTOR into the proverbial cocked hat when it comes to delays and cost overruns!:D