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RAF Space Operations

Posted: 02 Mar 2018, 10:44
by indeid
Looks like the UK military might be making a move into space based ISR.

https://www.gov.uk/government/news/lift ... af-mission

SSTL are a real success story, seemingly not changed by the Airbus buyout, and do offer a comparative reduced cost capability. Looks like this is being used as a demonstrator to see what would be needed to run a fully military space based capability, lost since the Skynet PFI. This platform is being run by SSTL and I believe Earth-I also part funded it as a Tech Demo for their planned constellation. The NovaSAR platform of SSTL could be a useful way to go too.

Re: RAF Space Operations

Posted: 02 Mar 2018, 13:24
by shark bait
Good to see a big gap in the UK's intelligence being closed, until now the UK was fully dependent on allied agreement for this stuff.

Re: RAF Space Operations

Posted: 02 Mar 2018, 13:31
by SKB
We've had space operatives for years.
Image Technically, he was Royal Navy, but.... :mrgreen:

Re: RAF Space Operations

Posted: 02 Mar 2018, 13:42
by indeid
shark bait wrote:Good to see a big gap in the UK's intelligence being closed, until now the UK was fully dependent on allied agreement for this stuff.
This might be a first step on the way to a UK Space ISR capability, but still a way to go, this is still owned and run by SSTL so the gap is still there. Should be helpful though in working out how what needs to be done to move things forward. Timelines are interesting, I wonder if this was the Rapid Capabilities Office stretching its legs and showing another procurement model compared to DE&S?

If the UK military is going to get back into the flying satellites game now is the time, with the Airbus PFI coming to an end and a new solution needed for the running of those.

Re: RAF Space Operations

Posted: 03 Mar 2018, 14:00
by abc123
indeid wrote:
shark bait wrote:Good to see a big gap in the UK's intelligence being closed, until now the UK was fully dependent on allied agreement for this stuff.
This might be a first step on the way to a UK Space ISR capability, but still a way to go, this is still owned and run by SSTL so the gap is still there. Should be helpful though in working out how what needs to be done to move things forward. Timelines are interesting, I wonder if this was the Rapid Capabilities Office stretching its legs and showing another procurement model compared to DE&S?

If the UK military is going to get back into the flying satellites game now is the time, with the Airbus PFI coming to an end and a new solution needed for the running of those.
:thumbup:

Re: RAF Space Operations

Posted: 05 Mar 2018, 14:33
by KyleG
Hopefully before long we'll have at least a limited homegrown capability to launch future systems too.

Re: RAF Space Operations

Posted: 14 Jul 2018, 08:34
by ArmChairCivvy
The RAF is bringing Group 11 back, to cover the integration of air and space ops
" Group 11 was commanded by Air Vice-Marshal Sir Keith Park and had its headquarters at Uxbridge.
- Group 11 covered southeast England, which included the protection of London"

Someone hop over the paywalls?