Perhaps not explicitly, but it could be reasonably inferred.topman wrote:I didn't say that.
“If foreign equipment x is cheaper than homemade equipment y then we should buy equipment x unless a different department makes up the difference”
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Perhaps not explicitly, but it could be reasonably inferred.topman wrote:I didn't say that.
If that's true, they should be fired.Jdam wrote:There was some suggestion it was compensation to Lockheed over the warrior upgrade program.
Well apart from the US made, more expensive, less mature, inferior capability, missile thing.Lord Jim wrote:Cheers, that actually makes sense and I am surprised the Army actually got it right for once, or so it seem for now.
From a chat I had a few years back (2019) at Wattisham the AAC knew Hellfire had used it to good effect and trusted it and at the time of that chat one of my fellow Officers was working on the Spear program and nothing he said could change there mindLord Jim wrote:That part I still do not understand. Were they not confident in a Helicopter launched version of Brimstone and so decided that a US product where all the risk in on then rather than the UK? Or did someone mention commonality with allies during a presentation? I wonder if anyone mentioned that the US missile is basically there version of Brimstone because they didn't want to buy another non US made product? It is all very strange how the Army has thrown away the chance to have a common missile system in use on Fast Jets, Helicopters and hopefully ground vehicles, as well as having a good chance at exports.
Army procurement is effed up. Period.Lord Jim wrote:That part I still do not understand. Were they not confident in a Helicopter launched version of Brimstone and so decided that a US product where all the risk in on then rather than the UK? Or did someone mention commonality with allies during a presentation? I wonder if anyone mentioned that the US missile is basically there version of Brimstone because they didn't want to buy another non US made product? It is all very strange how the Army has thrown away the chance to have a common missile system in use on Fast Jets, Helicopters and hopefully ground vehicles, as well as having a good chance at exports.
While I agree, could it be that launch speed / altitude of the platform (fast jet vs helos) are just too different and would require mods?whitelancer wrote:Its truly baffling that Brimstone isn't going to be fitted to Apache.
Exactly, there only seems to be an issue with using air launched munitions on slower or ground based assets when you are talking about those that use air breathing propulsion systems. You might get a reduction in range, and require an off board sensor, but none of that would apply to installing Brimstone on the Guardian. The only reason we would shoot ourselves in the foot like this is if the "Bean Counters" decided to save a few pennies and have a weapon the US paid to have integrated with the Guardian.ArmChairCivvy wrote:But Brimstone has been trialled at sea, and proposed for land platforms.
Don't rule out the AAC and the Army having its say also if they are being pushed on every penny they might be taking a long term view go with the US weapon now and bring Brimstone and Spear later once it is on other platformsLord Jim wrote:Exactly, there only seems to be an issue with using air launched munitions on slower or ground based assets when you are talking about those that use air breathing propulsion systems. You might get a reduction in range, and require an off board sensor, but none of that would apply to installing Brimstone on the Guardian. The only reason we would shoot ourselves in the foot like this is if the "Bean Counters" decided to save a few pennies and have a weapon the US paid to have integrated with the Guardian.ArmChairCivvy wrote:But Brimstone has been trialled at sea, and proposed for land platforms.
Well, going with Hellfire on Apaches and on the UAVs that will be flying supporting circuits will rather make the (LM's?) VL-Hellfire pod on the back of a Stryker - read: Boxer - an appetising offerTempest414 wrote: go with the US weapon now and bring Brimstone [and Spear] later