Lockheed C-130 Hercules (RAF)

[arfah]

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[S M H]

If they keep all the C 120 j in service and rotate the airframes to keep 14 in squadron service. The airframe life reaming should keep the fleet in service till the new out of service date. Air to air refuelling helicopters would be a good investment in light of there ops requirement.

[Tinman]

If they keep all the C 120 j in service and rotate the airframes to keep 14 in squadron service. The airframe life reaming should keep the fleet in service till the new out of service date. Air to air refuelling helicopters would be a good investment in light of there ops requirement.

No need as Chinook with fuel tanks in the cabin has more than enough legs.

[arfah]

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[downsizer]

Sacre Bleu!

http://www.defensenews.com/story/defens ... /77092356/

The French Armee de l'air might purchase 4x C130J airframes from the RAF as they become surplus.

One careful owner, not shagged on fatigue life at all

[WhitestElephant]

Thought they were replacing their own C-130s with A400M. Why would they want more?

Besides, Mali showed a French deficiency in Strategic lift, not tactical. Should they not be looking for something like C-17?

[The Armchair Soldier]

Thought they were replacing their own C-130s with A400M. Why would they want more?

Besides, Mali showed a French deficiency in Strategic lift, not tactical. Should they not be looking for something like C-17?

I'm guessing for the same reason we're keeping some of ours: for the sneaky beaky types.

[downsizer]

Thought they were replacing their own C-130s with A400M. Why would they want more?

Besides, Mali showed a French deficiency in Strategic lift, not tactical. Should they not be looking for something like C-17?

Refuel Helos. A400 is shit and unlikely to do it, despite what airbus PR may say.

[Gabriele]

Months ago, it was reported that the RAF would withdraw a first 4 C-130J C5, the short ones, during 2016. So, in theory, it would be doable.

But assuming the RAF begins with the short ones and specifically with the most worn-out ones, it might not be exactly a big bargain...

France has 14 C-130H and wants to keep at least 8 and upgrade them. The special forces want four more, quickly, of which 2 configured as tankers to refuel the Caracal helicopters and at least a couple more (either the new ones or the old ones) should end up armed, for SF support.

[ArmChairCivvy]

Marshalls has certification for wing box replacement... a little bit of British exports, not just passing US made kit around

[arfah]

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[ArmChairCivvy]

There is a lot of non-standard about the early Js, because the RAF got theirs so early on.

I think we (the Brits)paid for the tool sets that standardised the product (and LM went on to churn out hundreds more).

But would the cargo floor and wing box be constraining each other? The replacement studies were done together with RAAF, to make the economic case. Don't know what the ozzies decided to do with theirs, but all of this has laid the groundwork that the French could draw on, at a reasonable cost (and ourselves, too, might need it as the number of years added to the longer J's was not insignificant... was it 8 more years).

[arfah]

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[The Armchair Soldier]

Support contract signed to keep the C-130Js going until 2030, in line with the SDSR commitment:
https://www.gov.uk/government/news/369- ... 00-uk-jobs

[marktigger]

no word on the "surplus" airframes yet

[Gabriele]

Still unable to find a final confirmation to the reports, but it seems two of the 14 C-130J will receive the tanker kit, and some of the Chinook will be fitted with an AAR probe for Special Forces long range work.

Nick de Larrinaga of Jane's told me a while ago. Didn't know whether to believe him, but now Defense News reports:

Two aircraft earmarked for helicopter refuelling duties are included in the fleet.

http://www.defensenews.com/story/defens ... /78071898/

Sounds like they might be serious about a long range SF / CSAR capability this time around...

[ArmChairCivvy]

Sounds like they might be serious about a long range SF / CSAR capability this time around...

It was just starting to look like the French would be leaving us behind, in a cloud of dust... so something had to be done!

[marktigger]

pity they never fully looked into the merlins capability to inflight refuel

[rec]

I would like to seesome carrier based Ospreys for inflight refeulling of F35B and Transport helicopters, that would extend the reach of the QES

[shark bait]

I would like to seesome carrier based Ospreys for inflight refeulling of F35B and Transport helicopters, that would extend the reach of the QES

Let's hope the US marines bring some of there's.

[rec]

It's about making the carriers as effective as possible, given the limitations of STOVL, so Ospresy for inflight refuelliny and AEW would make sense on that count .

[shark bait]

It's about making the carriers as effective as possible, given the limitations of STOVL, so Ospresy for inflight refuelliny and AEW would make sense on that count .

It is, and for that reason we will defiantly see tilt rotors in Royal Navy colors operating from QE's decks. However I don't see the MOD jumping in to the current generation of equipment, and frankly that's fine, we don't need them at this early stage.

[marktigger]

we'll have Merlin for AEW for a while.

[arfah]

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[ArmChairCivvy]

However I don't see the MOD jumping in to the current generation of equipment, and frankly that's fine, we don't need them at this early stage

Osprey was part of the competition, though not finalist, when we ended up with the Crows Nest choice (never mind that the prgr name changed once or twice on the way)