Boeing P-8A Poseidon (MRA Mk.1) (RAF)

[indeid]

Party line is still one additional Sqn at both Lossie and Coningsby, although you are right about the rumours flying.

Accommodation for all the people at lossie for 4 Typhoon sqns and the P8s would be an issue, let alone the aircraft. Some of them might end up living at Kinloss anyway!

[jimthelad]

Made it back to Gods country yesterday to see the family. In the "Beastie" over a few shandies I was reliably informed that the UK Poseidon's are carrying the factory standard software so will include full compatibility with Harpoon, JDAM, and possibly SDB but the USN has already requested a demonstration of Spear 3 from BAe so there may also be integration of this. Apparently if needed we can draw on the USN AGM-84D block 2 war stocks.

[Jdam]

As much as I would like to see this I suspect Spear 3 will be a bit like brimstone, lots of talk maybe even a demonstration but ultimately nothing will happen.

How are our P-8 coming along anyway?

[Gabriele]

Contracts placed for the first 5; the first couple is being worked upon in factory.

[ArmChairCivvy]

the UK Poseidon's are carrying the factory standard software so will include full compatibility with Harpoon, JDAM,

JDAMs can hit a target moving at a ship's speed; is it a matter that many more can be carried than Harpoons (or, conversely, with a Harpoon one can start to engage from further out and then just intensify, by closing in)?
- not sure what the nuance here is? Simply the price of "one shot"?

Spear 3 will be a bit like brimstone

Spear3 being so small in demensions and so light to carry, one can also consider both being ripple shot - weapons
- as ships' AD kits are advancing in leaps and bounds, also for the non-specialist, non AW destroyers/ cruisers, not something to be sniffed at

[abc123]

Made it back to Gods country yesterday to see the family. In the "Beastie" over a few shandies I was reliably informed that the UK Poseidon's are carrying the factory standard software so will include full compatibility with Harpoon, JDAM, and possibly SDB but the USN has already requested a demonstration of Spear 3 from BAe so there may also be integration of this. Apparently if needed we can draw on the USN AGM-84D block 2 war stocks.

USA: Saving UKs ass for more than 100 years...

[jimthelad]

I agree but they levy a very heavy price every time. I would add whilst they are generally supportive they are invaraibly late and make terrible tea. However, I for one am very glad they are on our side!!!

[Ron5]

And the US hasn't paid a terrible price saving your collective asses???

PS very troll like remark from abc. Designed to stir up bad feelings.

[jimthelad]

Ron, I have had the great privelege of spending several years in the USA as a child embedded within the USN and later in DC. In addition I have been on more than a few ops with US personnel in my time in green. I have the highest regard for the US and especially it's military; several of my closest friends fathers were Vietnam veterans and I think of them as second parents. As such the comment was made a little tongue in cheek and I am sure would have been taken in this way by most people. If i have caused offence then please accept my apologies.
To disambiguate, I and I suspect most if not all of my countrymen would agree that we owe the US a debt of gratitude. The fact that we have so much shared history of alliance and common conflict underlines what is at a common level a very deep and special relationship irrespective of which administration or government is in power.

[Ron5]

Ron, I have had the great privelege of spending several years in the USA as a child embedded within the USN and later in DC. In addition I have been on more than a few ops with US personnel in my time in green. I have the highest regard for the US and especially it's military; several of my closest friends fathers were Vietnam veterans and I think of them as second parents. As such the comment was made a little tongue in cheek and I am sure would have been taken in this way by most people. If i have caused offence then please accept my apologies.
To disambiguate, I and I suspect most if not all of my countrymen would agree that we owe the US a debt of gratitude. The fact that we have so much shared history of alliance and common conflict underlines what is at a common level a very deep and special relationship irrespective of which administration or government is in power.

Not sure what "disambiguate" means but a handsome post and good to read. Guess I was being a tad too sensitive. So apologies from me too.

And yes, I read your comment on the F-35 topic. That's one not to be too proud about. But whatever, life is good. Happy new year.

[abc123]

And the US hasn't paid a terrible price saving your collective asses???

PS very troll like remark from abc. Designed to stir up bad feelings.

And this of course is evereything except stirring up bad feelings... Well done

[Dave]

I'll take that as a no, you have no idea of the specifics of the Bombardier case. Thought so.

As a follow on, Boeing have lost their case.

Bombardier wins trade dispute in US

A Canadian aerospace firm which faced damaging import tariffs on one of its jets has won a trade dispute in the United States.

The UK government had suspected that Bombardier would lose and unions feared sales and UK jobs connected to the C-Series would be hit.

But in a surprise ruling, the US International Trade Commission (ITC) rejected a complaint brought by Boeing.

The ITC voted 4-0 in favour of Bombardier.

They ruled that there was no injury to US manufacturers, effectively forcing the US Commerce Department to reverse course on retaliatory countermeasures designed to protect Boeing.

Tariffs of 292% will not now be imposed on orders of C-Series planes by American carriers.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northern-ireland-42825916

[ArmChairCivvy]

I'll take that as a no, you have no idea of the specifics of the Bombardier case. Thought so.

As a follow on, Boeing have lost their case.

Bombardier wins trade dispute in US

[...]

Tariffs of 292% will not now be imposed on orders of C-Series planes by American carriers.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northern-ireland-42825916

I thought it was a bit odd that the PM launched into a very general speech (in Davos) by starting with this v specific case
... I guess she knew what was coming, and it was a good way to pick the "points" home (with the home audience)

[Jdam]

https://ukdefencejournal.org.uk/uk-orde ... aft-order/

Seen this on Gab's twitter, we have ordered the long-lead items for our remaining Poseidon's

[RichardIC]

Maritime Patrol Aircraft: Torpedoes
Asked by Lord West of Spithead
To ask Her Majesty's Government whether it is planned for UK P8 aircraft to use the US Mark 54 torpedo in place of the UK Stingray; what the cost of new weapon stocks will be; and what assessment they have made of the impact of the use of the US Mark 54 torpedo on the holdings of Stingray and any upgrade programme. [HL6179]
Earl Howe: The urgency to establish a Maritime Patrol Aircraft capability led to the decision to procure the P8 aircraft 'off the shelf' with associated weapons fit via a Foreign Military Sales agreement with the US Government. This includes the US Mark 54 torpedo. I am withholding the cost of US Mark 54 torpedo stocks as disclosure would, or would be likely to prejudice the capability, effectiveness or security of the Armed Forces, but its use will not impact on Sting Ray torpedo holdings. No decision has yet been made on the long-term future of Sting Ray.

http://qnadailyreport.blob.core.windows ... pdf#page16

Apologies for not being totally up-to-speed with P-8 developments. But is this the first time we’ve had it confirmed that they will fitted with Mk54 in UK service.

BTW and for what it’s worth, I’m totally for keeping the P-8s as absolutely out-of-the-box as possible - no UK mods or “Anglicisation” nonsense. And scrupulously following the US development path.

So this looks to be a good thing.

[jonas]

Maritime Patrol Aircraft: Torpedoes
Asked by Lord West of Spithead
To ask Her Majesty's Government whether it is planned for UK P8 aircraft to use the US Mark 54 torpedo in place of the UK Stingray; what the cost of new weapon stocks will be; and what assessment they have made of the impact of the use of the US Mark 54 torpedo on the holdings of Stingray and any upgrade programme. [HL6179]
Earl Howe: The urgency to establish a Maritime Patrol Aircraft capability led to the decision to procure the P8 aircraft 'off the shelf' with associated weapons fit via a Foreign Military Sales agreement with the US Government. This includes the US Mark 54 torpedo. I am withholding the cost of US Mark 54 torpedo stocks as disclosure would, or would be likely to prejudice the capability, effectiveness or security of the Armed Forces, but its use will not impact on Sting Ray torpedo holdings. No decision has yet been made on the long-term future of Sting Ray.

http://qnadailyreport.blob.core.windows ... pdf#page16

Apologies for not being totally up-to-speed with P-8 developments. But is this the first time we’ve had it confirmed that they will fitted with Mk54 in UK service.

BTW and for what it’s worth, I’m totally for keeping the P-8s as absolutely out-of-the-box as possible - no UK mods or “Anglicisation” nonsense. And scrupulously following the US development path.

So this looks to be a good thing.

Excerpt from the UKDJ :-

Quote
In March 2016, the US State Department approved a proposed Foreign Military Sale to the UK for up to nine P-8 aircraft and associated support, at an estimated cost of $3.2 billion. The Royal Air Force plans to operate the P-8 with US weapons initially and possibly transition to British weapons later. It is unclear whether the UK will have access to future ground-surveillance capabilities being developed for the P-8 but many expect it will.

The UK government has revealed that a recent contract includes the purchase of unspecified US weapons, sonar buoys and “other consumables”.
Unquote

https://ukdefencejournal.org.uk/british ... n-weapons/

[dmereifield]

Are there any updates on the UK's P8 airframe delivery schedule, IOC or FOC?

Many thanks

[benny14]

Are there any updates on the UK's P8 airframe delivery schedule, IOC or FOC?

120 Squadron just stood up this month. 201 Squadron following in 2021.

First two British P-8s to arrive at RAF Lossiemouth in Scotland in 2019, with three more to follow in 2020 and the final four in 2021.

[Lord Jim]

I suppose that is a pretty quick delivery schedule for the RAF these days.

[The Armchair Soldier]

Defence Secretary Gavin Williamson visits RAF Lossiemouth

UK Defence Secretary Gavin Williamson has visited RAF Lossiemouth as construction begins on a new strategic facility to house new maritime patrol aircraft.

The first of the new Poseidon planes will arrive at the Moray base in 2020.

The UK's last dedicated maritime patrol planes flew out of RAF Kinloss in 2010.

Mr Williamson was taking part in a ceremony to mark the beginning of the construction phase for the £132m facility.

Read More: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-n ... d-43822054

[shark bait]

All good stuff, just need the order for the other 9 now.

[SKB]

[Dahedd]

Lad I go mountain biking with is based at Lossiemouth, he's been assigned to the Poseidons & is off to the state's soon.

He was saying that they still have their fingers crossed for an additional 3. He also seems quite interested in linking the P8s with the new Protector UAVs.

[shark bait]

RAF have said before the the will explore using Protector as an MPA, even better if it can be integrated into the P8's systems, thats exactly the kind of next level stuff we need.

An additional batch will also be very welcome, 9 just isnt enough.

[Lord Jim]

But it is better than fewer or none.