Fast-jet FAA

Re: Fast-jet FAA

feeds@yuku.com (PK) — Wed, 09 Apr 2008 22:09:56 GMT

The UK, Spain, Italy, USMC are all down to get F35Bs, and plenty of other countries are down to get the A version.
Well, hopefully they will work as expected. It might be useful to have alternatves ready.

Re: Fast-jet FAA

feeds@yuku.com (lutzow) — Wed, 09 Apr 2008 22:02:14 GMT

One thing that should be taken into account is at the moment there are insufficient FAA pilots to man "Naval Strike Wing" which actually consists of NINE GR 7/7A/ 9 aircraft. They continually have to be supplemented by RAF aircrew and this situation shows no sign of improvment, (when did you last see an advert for RN fast jet pilots. It take s nearly seven years for a prospective fast jet pilot to reach "combat ready" status with many falling by the wayside at each...

Re: Fast-jet FAA

feeds@yuku.com (Obi Wan Russell) — Wed, 09 Apr 2008 13:54:49 GMT

Jim, you are talking a lot of common sense and I agree with every word of it, so expect the men in white coats to pay you a visit at any time! Personally I'd like to eventually see a five sqn FJ FAA, including 800 and 801 alongside a reformed 892, 893 and 899 as the OCU. Although they would all fly the same model of aircraft (B or C), I'd have 800 and 801 bias their training programs towards the strike role and 892 and 893 towards the Air Defence role, with a degree of crossover....

Re: Fast-jet FAA

feeds@yuku.com (Jim WH) — Wed, 09 Apr 2008 13:26:28 GMT

The thing which I have the most difficulty understanding is the discrepancy between the number of aircraft the UK is expecting to order (138 at present, with "up to 150" still quoted is some sources) and the number which well informed commentators (e.g. RichardB) are expecting to make it into the front line. For comparison sake, conservative current RAAF planning envisages purchasing "up to" 100 F-35A. According to reports from the Kokoda Foundation, this force is expected...

Re: Fast-jet FAA

feeds@yuku.com (Obi Wan Russell) — Wed, 09 Apr 2008 04:01:23 GMT

All sources I have read say it is the RAF that is pushing for the F-35B as they want to retain the harriers ability to operate away from airfields, as it used to in Germany in the 70s and 80s. If it wasn't for this, the C model would be top of the list for both services. The RN's enthusiasm for the B model currently is a way to keep the projected operating costs of the CVFs down, as Cats and wires require more manpower to operate them and maintain them. I think they should bite the...

Re: Fast-jet FAA

feeds@yuku.com (Zen9) — Wed, 09 Apr 2008 00:38:45 GMT

While I can see a move to reinvigorate the FAA once CVF is in the water, I cannot see the RAF agreeing to drop its part of the F35-B order as this replaces the Harrier, not the Tornado. Far more likely is that the Tornado will be effectively replaced by Tranche3 Typhoons.

Its of note that a later order for more F35-B for the FAA is not beyond the bounds of possibility as the cost should fall somewhat once production ramps up.

This might be how the FAA gain both definitive...

Re: Fast-jet FAA

feeds@yuku.com (Anthony58) — Tue, 08 Apr 2008 20:06:42 GMT

My view is that the UK bites the bullet, buys 232 Typhoons (which it is contractually obliged to do so) and equips 8 squadrons, eventually to a Tranche 3 standard and keeps the 7 Tornado squadrons. The Joint Force Harrier is cancelled and the RAF move to 3 x 12 Harrier aircraft squadrons and one training squadron, to be replaced from 2018 100 - 110 F-35B or F-35C. The FAA fixed wing pilots by 2010/11 are assigned to the USN Atlantic carrier fleet, flying USN F-18E. The MOD buys for the FAA 40...

Re: Fast-jet FAA

feeds@yuku.com (pymes75) — Tue, 08 Apr 2008 19:50:29 GMT

Now if we could convince Canada, Australia plus a few other Euro partners to swap part of their A buys to B's we'd have plenty of opportunities to have guest squadrons on our CVF

...and let's face it, we're much more likely to go to war alongside the Canadians, Australians and USMC than most of our European cousins (apart from the Dutch and Danish, maybe).

Re: Fast-jet FAA

feeds@yuku.com (Anthony58) — Tue, 08 Apr 2008 19:42:54 GMT

Colin Mc

Obituary

Air Marshal Lord Garden

Rigorous MoD planner, thinktank analyst and Liberal Democrat defence spokesman

Jonathan Fryer
The Guardian,
Tuesday August 14...

Re: Fast-jet FAA

feeds@yuku.com (hulahoop7) — Tue, 08 Apr 2008 18:34:47 GMT

It's also a fancy way to get the rest of the European powers to buy carrier capable aircraft.. BUT what you've forgotten is that it is only France who are the odd ones out! The UK, Spain, Italy, USMC are all down to get F35Bs, and plenty of other countries are down to get the A version. Now if we could convince Canada, Australia plus a few other Euro partners to swap part of their A buys to B's we'd have plenty of opportunities to have guest squadrons on our CVF.

Re: Fast-jet FAA

feeds@yuku.com (shaun) — Tue, 08 Apr 2008 17:36:03 GMT

So that's a fancy way of saying the RN only, buys Rafale M?

Re: Fast-jet FAA

feeds@yuku.com (PK) — Tue, 08 Apr 2008 17:30:05 GMT

Major restructuration of european defence industry:
Dassault to join Eurofighter GmbH

"In face of growing...

Re: Fast-jet FAA

feeds@yuku.com (shaun) — Tue, 08 Apr 2008 17:26:56 GMT

It's a shame that the timescales for GR4 replacement and FJCA don't meet up. The RN could have been allocated 100 or so F35Cs, with the RAF replacing their Harriers with 100 or so F35Bs. The pay-off would have been the RAF losing their heavy mud-movers without replacement, and relying on stealthy and survivable Typhoons, F35Bs and CASOMs instead.

Fast-jet FAA

feeds@yuku.com (Colin Mc) — Tue, 08 Apr 2008 16:00:44 GMT

Someone said in a thread elsewhere that there is little chance of a return to an all dark blue FAA; I can think of one scenario which might bring it about and it would be driven by thwarted political will and the sheer problem of recruitment.

CVF continues to survive not because of defined roles and capabilities, which the Defence Select...