Royal Air Force (RAF-UK) Discussions and Updates

harryriedl

harryriedl

Active Member
Verified Defense Pro
the STOVL F35 flies
Lockheed Martin F-35B STOVL Stealth Fighter Achieves Successful First Flight
FORT WORTH, Texas, June 11th, 2008 --

F-35B STOVL Takes Off For The First Time

With test pilot Graham Tomlinson at the controls, the short takeoff/vertical landing (STOVL) Lockheed Martin [NYSE: LMT] F-35B Lightning II streaked into blue Texas skies Wednesday, marking the first flight of an aircraft that will provide a combination of capabilities never before available: stealth, supersonic speed and STOVL basing flexibility.

Tomlinson, a former Royal Air Force Harrier pilot now employed by BAE Systems, performed a conventional takeoff at 10:17 a.m. CDT from Lockheed Martin’s Fort Worth facility. As planned, all initial F-35B flights will be made using conventional takeoffs and landings, with transitions to short takeoffs, hovers and vertical landings beginning early next year. Tomlinson guided the jet to 15,000 feet and performed a series of handling tests, engine-power variations and subsystems checks before landing at 11:01 a.m. CDT.

nice to see that it was flown by Brit and see the most risky version of the F35 is now flying

oops: seen the same artical in the F35 thread mods can delete
 
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riksavage

Banned Member
Confirmation in the UK press today, along with the announcement of increased troop levels, that GR4's will replace Harrier in A-Stan. The Tornado's upgraded equipment, low-level capabilities and specialised tactical strike / reconnaissance experience will bring much to the table. They can also remain in the air for longer and the crews have extensive experience operating in Iraq. RAF Marham and RAF Lossiemouth will provide crews rotating every few months.

The Harriers can now return to the carrier role, reduce airframe usage and remain in service until the F35B's arrive. With the arrival more Typhoon's coupled with the large numbers of GR4's in service will hopefully remove the need for the Harriers to return?
 
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swerve

Super Moderator
Good news! Wear & tear on GR4s is much less of an issue, as we have far more of them. At last, the carriers will be able to get an almost respectable number of Harriers.
 
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neil

New Member
Right after the good news.. some sad news. A Harrier from Cottesmore crashed yesterday flown by a RN pilot. (luckily he's okay)

Hopefully reduced commitments can avoid events such as this for JFH in future, although in military flying, I suppose, you can never have a zero accident rate.
 
harryriedl

harryriedl

Active Member
Verified Defense Pro
neil said:
Right after the good news.. some sad news. A Harrier from Cottesmore crashed yesterday flown by a RN pilot. (luckily he's okay)

Hopefully reduced commitments can avoid events such as this for JFH in future, although in military flying, I suppose, you can never have a zero accident rate.
Click to expand...
the F35B is meant to much easer to fly so it should be reduced good news for the GR-4 and the harriers
 
not_so_sis

not_so_sis

New Member
RAF Global operations

I have been researching the Global operations of the RAF but would appreciate if people who have a good understanding of the current deployments and permenant bases could comment on any details they have observed. Incuding any areas of controlled airspace and airfield locations. Thankyou for your input!
 
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Lopex

New Member
RAF Invertory

Can anyone provide a concise list of RAF assets. (Fixed wing and rotary).

ie. 250 Gr4
100 GR9

And also do you think that the defence of UK airspace with only short range
Starstreak HVM at battlefield level. The ageing Rapier C for medium range defence of airfields but with no long range missile until the Type 45 comes on line is good enough protection?.

I know we have Tornado and Typhoon ready to scramble but what radars are used to warn of an attack? Does the military have its own or is it alerted by air traffic control??

Sorry for a three part question and I hope it makes sense. Sorry if its in the wrong forum
 
A

AegisFC

Super Moderator
Staff member
Verified Defense Pro
not_so_sis said:
I have been researching the Global operations of the RAF but would appreciate if people who have a good understanding of the current deployments and permenant bases could comment on any details they have observed. Incuding any areas of controlled airspace and airfield locations. Thankyou for your input!
Click to expand...
Moved to the RAF thread.
 
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Lopex

New Member
GR4 Replacing the GR9?

Does anyone know when the deployment of the GR4s to kandahar will take place and how many will be sent?
 
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ASFC

New Member
Early next year keeps getting mentioned by the RAF and the MOD. No word on how many they are sending.
 
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Pingu

New Member
Are any of the Harriers participating in Afganistan, operating from aircraft carriers at present? If so, any ideas on numbers etc?
 
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ASFC

New Member
No they aren't-they are all in country. Although they moved out to join the Illustrious on her previous deployment to the region but that was for Carrier qualfications not ops as far as i'm aware.
 
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Lopex

New Member
Nimrod MRA4

Any news on when the MRA4 will be entering service?. I have read in wiki that it will be the early 2009 but thats not really a reliable source!
I have also read on the British Army Rumour Service that the aircraft could be scrapped to save money.
I can see why its a target with its overruns and massive overspend but it would be a massive loss.
Does anyone know how far away they are from entering service?
 
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ASFC

New Member
There is a balancing act.

MRA4 problems is probably going to preclude any more conversions (although their might be more than 12 (isn't their supposed to be 16 built, after the last 'official' reduction in 2004?)).

Going straight for River Joint goes nicely maintanence wise with the E-3 fleet (which share Waddington with the R.1s), but obviously they have age issues.

I prefer sticking American and/or British equipment in an alternative new Airframe (not MRA4/C-135) however current cost issues may preclude this.
 
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