I have wondered the same myself. The current plans seem to be to operate 24 to 36 F-35B for each carrier. Even allowing for a fairly high attrition rate it seems that 138 B models might be overkill. Surely there should be enough for a couple of squadrons of A models as well.
Royal Air Force (RAF-UK) Discussions and Updates
- Thread starter Jambo_100
- Start date
Interesting BBC article about problems within the RAF pilot training program. It appears that the time taken for a trainee pilot to progress from starting abinito training to being fully qualified in their specialist field has doubled from 3 years to 6 - 7 years since 2016 due to problems within the contracted company, Ascent, that provides the training. IMHO, outsourcing of such training may not have been such a bright idea, because the problems appear to be a shortage of aircraft and instructors, plus the contractors are being paid for courses that they didn't conduct.
Hundreds of trainee RAF pilots not flying
My own personal view. There needs to be a wholesale clean out of the UK MOD from top to bottom, a modern professional system instituted with outside personnel bought in and civil servants banned from the MOD or applying for any positions within it. A modern professional procurement system should be stood up as soon as possible. Then maybe, just maybe, they might be able to sort out the current shambles.
Hundreds of trainee RAF pilots not flying
My own personal view. There needs to be a wholesale clean out of the UK MOD from top to bottom, a modern professional system instituted with outside personnel bought in and civil servants banned from the MOD or applying for any positions within it. A modern professional procurement system should be stood up as soon as possible. Then maybe, just maybe, they might be able to sort out the current shambles.
Contractors for flight screening fine and some niche areas, but not for the training of a professional military pilot and air warfare crew in a 1st World military.
There probably needs to be a wholesale clean out of in probably every nook and cranny of the current British government the way(ward) its going of late starting with their current PM.
I can just see the look of horror on Sir Humphrey's face to both of our suggestions. I suspect that he would need a defib.
John Fedup
The Bunker Group
If a new election results in a Corbyn victory, it might be an extinction event as opposed to wholesale clean out for MOD. I really can’t see a decent Brexit solution at this point.
Neither can I and it's a self inflicted wound for the current PM. There are some crucial RAF acquisitions in the pipeline and any greater political destabilisation than now will have the potential to derail them. The two I am thinking of are the P-8 and the E-7A AEW&C acquisitions, presuming that the E-7A is chosen as the E-3 AEW replacement.
John Fedup
The Bunker Group
The future of the PoW along with the Dreadnaught program could be on the rocks as well. This mess was started by Cameron. If you are not 100% certain you are going to get the result from a referendum that you want, don’t hold one!
t68
Well-Known Member
Or at least stack it in your favour with a double majority like the Australian model, 50%+1 is always a risky adventure
Whiplash34
Member
I can just see the look of horror on Sir Humphrey's face to both of our suggestions. I suspect that he would need a defib.
Had some downtime away from work due to injury recently...I’ve watched every episode of Yes Minister and Yes Prime Minister...one of THE best shows IMHO....sums up Pollies and their support staff / civil servants so aptly...!
“...Who should lie?.....Sleeping dogs Minister.....”
“...a basic rule of Government is never look into anything you don’t have to...”
“....never set up an enquiry unless you know in advance what it’s findings will be...”
Just gold.
Sorry, off topic...
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t68
Well-Known Member
Well I wonder what they say about Cameron, breaking all the cardinals rules of politics
John Fedup
The Bunker Group
Saying anything at this point would just remind voters how badly he screwed up, would just enhance a Corbyn victory outcome. The armed services in the UK must be cringing.
Back on topic please.
Good and bad news:
First to comment on the above - this pilot training issue has the ability to really cripple the RAF (and wider Uk MOD air arms) long term. The implications will be felt for years to come. Recruits come in keen and motivated, and after witnessing such a poor system are frustrated and cynical about the training system before they begin their first tour. It also drives problems regarding their initial ROSO - many people are eligible to leave after their first tour because of the extended time taken in training; this means they can leave without having to become instructors asked giving back to the system.
Good news though Multi-billion-pound deal for early warning radar aircraft
Finally signed a deal for 5 Wedgetail. Though 5 is a bit short the leap in capability and reliability over their current E3D fleet will be welcome.
First to comment on the above - this pilot training issue has the ability to really cripple the RAF (and wider Uk MOD air arms) long term. The implications will be felt for years to come. Recruits come in keen and motivated, and after witnessing such a poor system are frustrated and cynical about the training system before they begin their first tour. It also drives problems regarding their initial ROSO - many people are eligible to leave after their first tour because of the extended time taken in training; this means they can leave without having to become instructors asked giving back to the system.
Good news though Multi-billion-pound deal for early warning radar aircraft
Finally signed a deal for 5 Wedgetail. Though 5 is a bit short the leap in capability and reliability over their current E3D fleet will be welcome.
I'd have liked six but the reality of it is that of the seven they have right now, two are parts hulks anyway I believe so we're getting five brand new cabs with those lovely little dinky paper mats and plastic liners over the seats plus a bouquet of flowers from the dealer (I'm sure that's how military jet procurement works..)
Best decision they could announce and I'm super excited to be honest.
Social media has some truly galactically idiotic comments, like "why can't we build something with two Sampson radar for all around coverage ?" etc
I may troll them and suggest dusting off the Concorde blueprints so we can have a SUPERSONIC AEW.
Jack Wyatt
Member
A good purchase by the Brits.
Not only buying a good aircraft but also an upgrade pathway. See link below on upgrades to RAAF Wedgetails.
Govt approves $580m Wedgetail upgrade - Australian Aviation
Not only buying a good aircraft but also an upgrade pathway. See link below on upgrades to RAAF Wedgetails.
Govt approves $580m Wedgetail upgrade - Australian Aviation
@StobieWan Here you are me old china. Should give you some ammo to back up stirring.
The radar on top is the Wedgetail MESA and the one underneath is a CANOE one that was spied been flown underneath a USN P-8.
mwahaha....awesome
I have seen posts bemoaning the demise of the Nimrod AEW which really is a case of rose tinted goggles.
Frankly, E7, add to cart, job done strikes me as a sensible decision. SAAB are still pushing their case that an untested combination of air frame and radars (plural, they'd need to combine a pair of their arrays to get it to work) is a low risk offering.
Can Wedgetail do much in terms of ground target tracking or is it specifically air to air in performance ?
I have seen posts bemoaning the demise of the Nimrod AEW which really is a case of rose tinted goggles.
Frankly, E7, add to cart, job done strikes me as a sensible decision. SAAB are still pushing their case that an untested combination of air frame and radars (plural, they'd need to combine a pair of their arrays to get it to work) is a low risk offering.
Can Wedgetail do much in terms of ground target tracking or is it specifically air to air in performance ?
Air and (sea) surface tracking are included in virtually every spec sheet. Some articles include ground target identification, but whether this is by virtue of amalgamating info from other sources, through some innate capability or a combination of sorts OR a misunderstanding by the journo is not clear. For the moment I'm enough in awe of it's current capability and the way that the RAAF is chivvying Boeing along in expanding its potential
oldsig
