The P8 is more than a MPA and that is what the NZG is after hence the ISR fitouts to the P3s.
The NZG has signalled that it is taking defence more seriously than in the past. What is quoted above is the reason why the NZG wants the P8. No other platform on the market offers the same capability.
More likely Algeria - Algeria may have received C-17 airlifter, report suggests - IHS Jane's 360
Maybe, but that article misses out that the report was later discredited - it was a Qatari Air Force machine passing through:
I saw that too and was wondering what's in the pipeline. The lease for the B200s runs out in 3 years (2018) so wonder if RNZAF is going back into owning assets and will buy B200 replacements. Maybe that is what that is aimed at.
To me that means another name for UAVs. However I could be wrong.
Yes you may well be right there. It seems that they saw advantages in owning the T6C but outsourcing maintenance - this after many years of leasing the CT4E's outright. I guess they expect to accrue the same benefits using the same model for B200 replacements.
The Army have used kiwi UAVs before and I am sure if funding and ongoing sustainment was made I am sure they would definitely find a use for them. The Navy would find a use for them as well. However it's a funding issue and there are higher priority capabilities.
The VfM report considered that leasing was attractive. Personally buying outright is better - but I consider that since the likelihood is that the aircraft will we used by and available to a range of government entities on a use cost / share basis and managed by the DPMC that it should be on the Civ register and have 'Government of New Zealand' on the side rather than the NZDF, with aircrew supplied from the RNZAF, and with service & support contracted out to Safe ect.
Look upon Triton or similiar as a system and not purely an airframe. It is lkely that we will have a small ISR variant such as the B350 and the P-8. A HALE for ISR (Maybe be Triton - maybe something else like Sea Avenger - to complement the P-8 at the teir 1 level) But I dont think that also having an second tier platform as part of the ASRF is likely or even necessary. A B350ER with the P-8 and eventually a unmanned persistant ISR asset the future.
I wonder if this is the reason why Bill English had his 2015 surplus suddenly go pear shaped and be down half a billion. Has Big Jerry signed a cheque to Boeing and forgot to tell him?
Well the NZG had better hurry up and buy them, the P8 is based on the 737NG, not the 737MAX which is just around the corner, once the NG is out of production they'll have to do some fairly hefty work to make a P8 MAX.
Isn't the made for purpose not a converted airliner Kawasaki P1 a better MPA? It has something which I think is fairly critical for NZ given our location and area we cover a greater range and time on station. From what I've read since the P1 was purpose designed as an MPA is a far greater ability to fly low and slow than the 737 which is optomised for higher altitudes and speed.
With all these countries coming out of the woodwork wanting to order C-17's Boeing must be wondering if they can build a few more rather than shut down the production line, or will the USAF sell off surplus frames?I wonder if this is the reason why Bill English had his 2015 surplus suddenly go pear shaped and be down half a billion. Has Big Jerry signed a cheque to Boeing and forgot to tell him?
NZ would either have to take it in JMSDF configuration (if Japan will sell it - still not certain) or pay for modification. Much as I'd like to see the P-1 exported, I don't think it makes sense for New Zealand.Isn't the made for purpose not a converted airliner Kawasaki P1 a better MPA? It has something which I think is fairly critical for NZ given our location and area we cover a greater range and time on station. From what I've read since the P1 was purpose designed as an MPA is a far greater ability to fly low and slow than the 737 which is optomised for higher altitudes and speed.
It is not the platform that matters it is the system. The P-1 was actually designed as a regional airliner as well as an maritime patrol asset. It does not make sense for us to go down that path. It wont be much cheaper than the P-8 and does have the risk if the yen appreciates to be more expensive. In fact its fly away cost was quoted as around $200m earlier this year. (Wall Street Journal 26 July 2014) (Latest flyaway for the P-8 is $179m now that it is under full production - US Congressional budget appropriations FY15)Isn't the made for purpose not a converted airliner Kawasaki P1 a better MPA? It has something which I think is fairly critical for NZ given our location and area we cover a greater range and time on station. From what I've read since the P1 was purpose designed as an MPA is a far greater ability to fly low and slow than the 737 which is optomised for higher altitudes and speed.