New avatar AFB
Yeah, it kinda makes me feel Red and Bad, like a mini-Putin! don't mess wit me, I'm on your six??? Hey if you got 4.6 million, I'll buy that Mig-29UB for ya, it is ex-Ukraine, 818 hours TT, right here in Central Obamastan???
SamuraiBlue
Captain
Fresh talks to strengthen security relationship with Britain and Japan;
Miragedriver
Brigadier
The Ministry of Defence awarded a contract for deployment of helicopters in the Falklands
(defensa.com) The Ministry of Defence has awarded a contract for the use of helicopters in support tasks to operations in the Falkland Islands to the US operator AAR Airlift by the British company British International Helicopters (BIH). The contract amounts to $ 275 million. The agreement will have ten year, starting in April next year, under which the two companies perform transport and logistics tasks using Sikorsky S-61 helicopters and Search and Rescue (SAR) helicopter AgustaWestland AW189.
BIH has been in the last fifteen years Malvinas helicopter operator, employing veterans S-61 helicopters. These devices will be upgraded with the installation of a collision warning system and equipped with composite rotors. In 2013 the company was acquired by the Group Rigby and act this time as a subcontractor for AAR Airlift. Since the Sea Kings Royal Air Force (RAF) are being removed from the SAR missions, AAR Airlift AW189 will rush this mission in the Falklands, having recently received two helicopters of this type, where crews have performed training before moving to the Falkland Islands. AAR Airlift is a regular contractor of the Department of Defense, having won contracts to operate in Iraq and Afghanistan, this is, however, the first time you get a contract with a European Army.
Back to bottling my Grenache
(defensa.com) The Ministry of Defence has awarded a contract for the use of helicopters in support tasks to operations in the Falkland Islands to the US operator AAR Airlift by the British company British International Helicopters (BIH). The contract amounts to $ 275 million. The agreement will have ten year, starting in April next year, under which the two companies perform transport and logistics tasks using Sikorsky S-61 helicopters and Search and Rescue (SAR) helicopter AgustaWestland AW189.
BIH has been in the last fifteen years Malvinas helicopter operator, employing veterans S-61 helicopters. These devices will be upgraded with the installation of a collision warning system and equipped with composite rotors. In 2013 the company was acquired by the Group Rigby and act this time as a subcontractor for AAR Airlift. Since the Sea Kings Royal Air Force (RAF) are being removed from the SAR missions, AAR Airlift AW189 will rush this mission in the Falklands, having recently received two helicopters of this type, where crews have performed training before moving to the Falkland Islands. AAR Airlift is a regular contractor of the Department of Defense, having won contracts to operate in Iraq and Afghanistan, this is, however, the first time you get a contract with a European Army.
Back to bottling my Grenache
Interesting that the RAF is moving away from this role in the Falkland's when there are still active Typhoons stationed there.
I know it is a cost/dollars-and-cents thing...but still, with active Air Force aircraft stationed there and given the history, you would think the RAF would fill that role.
I know it is a cost/dollars-and-cents thing...but still, with active Air Force aircraft stationed there and given the history, you would think the RAF would fill that role.
On the other hand, one could also see this as a prudent move to ease tensions a little bit by civilianyzing a more or less civil service task. I believe the security situation is far from being critical. And having less active service assets flying around could also be a small gesture.
HMS Astute
Junior Member
Airbus Defence & Space is working towards the certification of its Tanan rotary unmanned air vehicle demonstrator, which it intends to offer the Royal Navy for consideration as the force assesses its maritime surveillance options in the upcoming defence review.
Tanan is a vertical take-off and landing system being built by Airbus Defence and Space. The aircraft is suitable for both maritime and land applications and can perform a wide range of missions including surveillance, reconnaissance, search-and-rescue, target acquisition, anti-smuggling, harbour protection, border patrol, anti-piracy, and convoy and VIP protection.
It can also be deployed for monitoring image and communications intelligence systems, critical infrastructure and illegal traffic.
The Tanan 300 demonstrator performed its maiden flight in 2010 and was launched in October 2012 but the platform is continuelly evolving.
The Ministry of Defence is expected to make announcements regarding its maritime patrol requirement when it releases its Strategic Defence and Security Review in May. Speculation is rife as to how this role will look: with a manned or unmanned aircraft, or a combination of both.
UK details operational conversion unit plan for F-35
The UK’s future operational conversion unit for the is expected to begin providing training using five of the stealthy aircraft, the Ministry of Defence has revealed.
According to planning information disclosed by parliamentary under secretary of state Lord Astor of Hever on 22 January, five short take-off and vertical landing F-35Bs will be used to deliver in-country OCU services from July 2019. The unit will be located at the ’s Marham base in Norfolk.
Pilot conversion training for the UK force will be until that point delivered in the USA, in co-operation with a US Marine Corps squadron.
“The UK will stop assigning pilots to VMFAT-501 [squadron] for pilot training on the F-35B from July 2019,” Lord Astor says. The first UK personnel are currently flying the F-35B at the US Air Force’s Eglin AFB in Florida, alongside the USMC unit, ahead of supporting initial operational test and evaluation of the fifth-generation type.
Three F-35Bs have been delivered so far for the UK’s IOT&E involvement, with a fourth to follow. Funding was approved late last year for the nation’s first 14 operational examples. Four of these are now on order, which the MoD says should be accepted between May and October 2016.
The UK’s future operational conversion unit for the is expected to begin providing training using five of the stealthy aircraft, the Ministry of Defence has revealed.
According to planning information disclosed by parliamentary under secretary of state Lord Astor of Hever on 22 January, five short take-off and vertical landing F-35Bs will be used to deliver in-country OCU services from July 2019. The unit will be located at the ’s Marham base in Norfolk.
Pilot conversion training for the UK force will be until that point delivered in the USA, in co-operation with a US Marine Corps squadron.
“The UK will stop assigning pilots to VMFAT-501 [squadron] for pilot training on the F-35B from July 2019,” Lord Astor says. The first UK personnel are currently flying the F-35B at the US Air Force’s Eglin AFB in Florida, alongside the USMC unit, ahead of supporting initial operational test and evaluation of the fifth-generation type.
Three F-35Bs have been delivered so far for the UK’s IOT&E involvement, with a fourth to follow. Funding was approved late last year for the nation’s first 14 operational examples. Four of these are now on order, which the MoD says should be accepted between May and October 2016.
Sea Waves said:
Well, the Royal Navy, with its major vessels comprising the Queen Elizabeth class carrier, the Daring class guided missile destroyers, the ultimate Type 26 guided missile frigates and the Astute class nuclear attack submarines, will be a very modern and potent force. Also, clearly world class vessels.
Are they better than their US counterparts?
Definitely no in some respects (ie, the Ford Class carriers will be significantly superior to the QEs)...but by and large world class nonetheless.
Of course, what they are lacking is numbers.
But, clearly a task force comprised of those four vessel classes would be very potent and and capable of going toe to toe with any OPFOR imaginable in the forseeable future
So the only thing really missing from this list now is an MPA, I think. With another SDSR due this year, there should be a decision within the next 10 month I hope. And it will probably be between the Japanese P-1 and the US P-8. With the late UK-Japanese intent on strengthening their defense partnership, both of the two aircraft appear almost equally likely to me.
I guess a Triton is out of the question so far.
I guess a Triton is out of the question so far.