Quoting more from Think Defence January 2013 "It was planned to introduce a transonic and low signature optimised 426 gallon in block 4 although the U.K has not indicated if it will obtain these and the development seems uncertain in any case." "The Israelis have even proposed a larg...

source wiki empty weight 13154 kg loaded weight 22426 kg max take off weight 31800 kg this seems to indicate there is the ability to carry 8000kg of fuel plus other mission needs 8000lbs or kg? You’ve used both in your last two posts. That’s before US/Imperial Gallons get mixed up...... 8000lb of e...

SKB wrote:

Tempest414 wrote:when QE2 goes to the US

How are they going to land F-35B on her? They took the temporary helideck off her swimming pool after the Falklands War was over in 1982.

Shocking, the RAF must be to blame.......

So why would they be testing a configuration the customer is not getting? Why not have it there? If it wasn’t used for targeting it’s presence has no effect on a firing System Test, even if it was for acceptance. MBDA could have requested to bolt it on either to gain data for future use, to showcas...

CameronPerson wrote: But then again we’re the only country whose Chinook force isn’t operated by the Army as well as our MPAs (past and future) not being flown by the navy; again a concept that everyone else seems to grasp.

Might need to put a bit more research in to that statement.

WE actually might do as it allows the launcher to act autonomously if needed. For the cost, which for optics are far less than they used to be, it would be a no brainer. I didn't say we shouldn't get it..... The initial buy is one thing, including the support, maintaining and training will, I fear,...

Ron5 wrote:Both masts extended. One with datalink but what's on the other?

I’d guess the EO/IR sensor.

It’s an optional extra, which no doubt means we won’t be getting it.

Might end up with shiny kit but no one to operate it.

“The beatings will continue until morale improves.....”

https://assets.publishing.service.gov.u ... _FINAL.pdf

It's ridiculous to use such a huge platform for that role, you've just doubled the procurement and operational costs for little benefit that is usable. How often do we expect our crews to be flying 13 hour patrols? In reality that rarely happens. If long endurance is such a big deal, try one of the...

Japan missed out on a 707 platform (ours were the last made) so they got the same radar and similar mission system on a different aircraft. Doubt it’s even an option. Why the doubt? It has the same radar and mission kit on as the E-3 series. If we could upgrade our current mission kit to Block 40/4...

Given the number of 737 based AEW&C platforms this would probably be the front runner. The latest offering from Sweden would also be on the list with Israel a possible dark horse. What the US chooses to do for its next platform could also have a say, but they will probably go down the Boeing ro...

Lord Jim wrote:6-7 is the bare minimum the RAF need to be sure to provide the coverage needed.

The E-3D are also a formal component of the NAEW&C, so there will be an agreement somewhere on tasking share over and above National needs.

benny14 wrote: What was the story again behind that?

Considering its service a rather inglouious end as an AAPL, 'so others may live'.

Forgot about that. The forward fleet is 3, with 3 in the sustainment fleet. 6 still generates 3. Those figures are on a set date, and will yo-yo as frames move in and out of depth maintenance. I have seen the forward fleet higher than 3, and also lower...... Also being in the forward fleet doesn't ...

benny14 wrote:The 7 we have only generate 3 for active use. Two for the UK, one overseas. Going lower than 6-7 would be incredibly silly.

We have 6, Sneezy didn’t make it.......

That is not the discussion at hand, that is appeal to extremes. You don't see the difference between going "we had thousands a hundred years ago!" and the point that cutting a fleet that only ever had 6-7 planes in recent history by yet more aircraft is a straight up cut? Feels a little l...

5 new aircraft could not do as much as 6 E-3s that had been properly restored and upgraded to gain new flight hours. 5 down from 6 is a cut, there is no twist around that, and I will be surprised if they go for 6-7. Even if a ‘zero hours’ upgrade is on the table some parts will still be from the 70...

I am not saying that CASD should be abandoned but what ever happens if HMG want it they needed to pay for it by upping the budget or moving the program out of the Budget as for it not being moved there is more pressure to do so. also lets remember that the cost was moved over to the MOD in 2010 and...

shark bait wrote:a server and an antenna, how on earth are they going to fit that on a 7,000 tonne ship?

I never said it wouldn’t fit, I was saying you were wrong.......

Cooperative engagement is software, no in depth platform modifications needed. Bolting on some torpedo's is a trivial change too, they seem happy to bolt some harpoon launchers on the roof for the Canadian bid, torpedo should be no different. If the platform is right, adding these payloads is easy....

Ron5 wrote:He's even suggested publicly that the military should be used to fight crime. Not even in the fun way like the Philippines.

I've burnt dead cattle and put out fires while in uniform, sounds like an improvement.

I don't see the issue with the CV of Sir Mark as NSA?

I find it remarkable that a bit of inter-force banter about a name gets taken so seriously by some. Chill out, poking fun is a forces tradition, after all. Only one person is taking it seriously! Apparently even daring to utter the word ‘Pathfinder’ (ssssh) is enough to be on the receiving end of a...

I was trying to demonstrate how low the threshold is (not recommending contracting practices). Out of interest, why do you think the Head of the said office recently resigned? - the proportion of single sourcing, of the total, is so high that the use of the office had turned into rubber stamping - ...

The idea is to sell them off early to support more building. If they can make that work its a nice idea. There are tonnes of years willing to sell cheap gun boats filled with government subsidies. The UK will not compete on that ground, but maybe it could by selling quality used commissioned RN ves...

Now that thru-life costs are the mandatory yard stick, the above is less than what it sounds. - e.g. Ron just informed us that it stands for 1/11th of the (10 yr, rather than thru-life) cost for 500 MIVs - so you can, as a grown up, go and buy 500/11 armoured vehicles; a quantity that would only co...