UK to buy it's first JSF real soon

The UK will take part in the F-35 JSF's initial operational test and evaluation (IOT&E) says the MOD. There are plans to purchase 3 F-35Bs but despite the meltdown of world capitalism and the forthcoming Armageddon the MOD still seem confident they can get all 3. The UK want to take part in the IOT&E at this stage so they can feed back into the programme and get the best aircraft possible. In the long run the UK could buy up to 138 F-35s which will equip the RAF and FAA.



Meanwhile the future development of the JSF is being discussed. F-35 Block 2.0 will be "the first version that offers connectivity between stealth airplanes". Cool.

A400M delays force look at alternatives

Further delays to the Airbus A400M are forcing the RAF to look to alternatives. The problem the air force has are it's ageing C-130K Hercules which are now due to expire before they can be replaced by the A400M. The UK defence secretary said a 3 to 4 year delay in A400M would not be accepted. EADS have proposed A330 as an interim measure, though the RAF already have some on order for it's future tankers. More C-17s would probably be the RAF's best choice though of course with any procurement this days the biggest problem will be finding the money for it.



Update (19/01/09) : the RAF is looking at "leasing or procuring" either C-17s and C-130s or extending the lives of the C-130Ks which need replacing around 2012. Some of the C-130Ks may be able to stretch to 2014.

Nimrod MRA4 service support, maybe R1 replacement

BAE Systems have been awarded a contract to develop and put into place a support system for the future fleet of Nimrod MRA4 maritime patrol (& various other things aircraft). BAE already support the MR2 and R1 fleets of course. The 3 development MRA4s are being considered for the R1 replacement as an alternative to purchasing ex-USAF RC-135 Rivet Joints.

Paveway IV deployed in Afghanistan

Following it's entry into service last month with the RAF the Paveway IV guided bomb has now been deployed to units serving in Afghanistan. The weapon has already been used against insurgents according to the MOD. The bomb has a 500lb/227kg warhead which is half the size of the Enhanced Paveway II already used. Paveway IV has been delayed for a year because of problems developing a new fuse.



The new bomb will also be more resistant to jamming, lower drag and be safer (though not to people it is dropped on of course).

First Sea Lord threatens to resign over FAA

The First Sea Lord Admiral Sir Jonathon Band, the head of the Royal Navy, is threatening to resign over RAF plans to "get rid of" the Fleet Air Arm. The RAF are trying to save money by scrapping the 75 Harriers in the joint-force shared between the RAF and RN early in 2013. The RAF is arguing that most military operations in the next decade are going to be over Afghanistan so carrier-borne aircraft are not needed. A decade is an epoch in international affairs though. Scrapping the Harriers 5 years early would save £1 billion apparently.

Sapienta Vincit Tenebras

A little known part of the Royal Navy is 792 squadron, responsible for aerial targets (though i have covered UK aerial targets before). This article on Navy News offers a glimpse into the squadron's work. The title of this blog posting? Its the squadron's motto, which means "Wisdom Conquers Darkness". Indeed.



More information on the Mirach 100/5 as used by 792 (and pictured above) is here.

ASTOR makes operational debut

The RAF's Airborne Standoff Radar (ASTOR) has made it's operational debut in Afghanistan after a 2 year delay. This is the UK's counterpart to the US' JSTARS and will support ground operations with it's synthetic aperture radar and ground moving target indication sensor. The 2 Sentinel R1s plus ground sites entered operational service today. The RAF has 2 other Sentinels with a 5th due to be handed over by Raytheon before the end of the year (which is close!) The system was supposed to enter service in November 2006 but has suffered a number of delays as is common with all MOD projects.

New support contract for RAF Tristars

Marshall Aerospace has been awarded a support contract to maintain the RAF's fleet of Tristar tanker transports until they are replaced (hopefully) by Airbus A330s from 2011. Marshall have also been awarded a separate contract to develop a fuel tank inerting system for the Tristar C2s.

RAF receives first Tranche 2 Typhoon

Deliveries of the Tranche 2 Typhoon have begun to the RAF with the first of 89 (article says 91 though other sources, including the RAF's own site, say 89) aircraft being delivered to RAF Coningsby for final checks before flight trials begin. Tranche 2 aircraft will have new mission computers required for future weapons like Meteor and Storm Shadow.

Farewell to Heron flight

The RN's Heron flight, the Fleet Air Army's operational support and communications unit, is being withdrawn in a cost saving measure. The flight's Jetstream T3 aircraft have been used for transporting personnel and equipment around the UK and Europe but now the MOD think they can save half a million pounds by personnel using commercial airlines instead. The aircraft have gone into storage pending disposal.

Russia to centralise production of amphibious aircraft

I have a weakness for flying boats i admit, the fact Russia is setting up a single centre for the development and production of flying boats and amphibious aircraft made me smile. The centre will include Beriev of course and the Tavia production plant with a testing base at Gelenzhik on the Black Sea. Production initially will be of the A-42 Albatros, Be103 and Be-200 and newer designs. As well as new aircraft the facility will maintain, repair and modernise existing aircraft. This is all part of the re-organisation of Russian aircraft production as the United Aircraft Corporation.


A-40 "Mermaid"

Be-200 Altair

Be-103

A400M delay could cause RAF airlift gap

There is still a lack of strategic airlift in the RAF despite the order of 6 C-17s the RAF is warning. The RAF wishes to get a further 2 C-17s which are working hard in supporting British operations in Iraq and Afghanistan. The fleet is apparently working at 122% of it's planned flying rate. However the ageing Tristar and VC-10, retirement of C-130Ks and the delay to the A400M are causing concern. The RAF are due to receive 25 of the Airbus airlifter from 2010 but the A400M has yet to make it's first flight and the RAF are considering what to do if A400M is delayed further including life extensions to the 40 year old C-130K.

Hawk 128 released to service

The latest version of the venerable BAE Hawk, the Hawk 128 will receive it's release to service with the RAF. This means the RAF can begin conversion training with the new aircraft with 28 on order. The aircraft are expected to enter service with RAF and replacing Hawk T1/1As in mid-2010. The Hawk 128, part of the MOD's AJT deal has a glass cockpit and other technologies to allow training for the RAF's latest and forthcoming jet fighters the Typhoon and F-35.

RAF rescue teams to be sent to Afghanistan

The number of crews available at the RAF's search & rescue stations around the UK will be reduced from 5 to 4 to enable to sending of these teams to Afghanistan. These teams will then help rescue troops caught in insurgent attacks such as IEDs to reduce the number killed. However there are fears this will weaken the search & rescue response at home, currently each station has to provide a helicopter and crew able to respond within 15 minutes and nowhere in the UK is said to be more than an hour away (in daylight), though an MOD spokesman said response times and normal service will not be affected. Well we'll see.

Typhoons in Austrian service

Flight International have an interesting article on the Eurofighter Typhoon in Austrian air force service. Their procurement was controversial having being chosen to replace the Saab Draken but since the decision to choose the Typhoon there have been many questions in the Austrian parliament, no doubt the cost is an issue but defence does cost. Also interesting are the details of Austria's "tiered approach to ensuring airspace control" using a mix of armed trainers, helicopters and ground bases.

Paveway IV bomb could enter service next year

Paveway IV could enter service with the RAF later this year following the successful passing of tests. The test in the UK consisted of 14 bomb releases by an RAF Harrier GR9. The bomb will equip the Harriers, Tornado GR4 and Typhoon. The GPS and laser guided weapon completed impact, air burst and delayed detonation tests and was highly accurate. Its a good comeback for the Raytheon bomb after it failed an initial evaluation last year because of problems with it's fuse and explosives. The bomb will become operation on the Harrier next year and other types later on.

A400M could be (further) delayed by engine troubles

Two engine problems during ground trials could further delay the Airbus A400M military transport which is due to make it's maiden flight in October, a deadline now described as "tight". Water ingestion and gearbox problems have occurred during the trials of the Europrop International TP400-D6 turboprop. Analysis of the problems needs to be carried before before it is known if the first flight need be delayed. Flight testing of the engine aboard a C-130 is also due to begin before the end of July... well they still have a few days yet.

RAF to upgrade Chinook fleet to HC4

The RAF are planning to upgrade their entire Chinook CH-47 fleet to a new HC4 standard, this includes the 40 HC2/2As and the "infamous" 8 HC3s which have spent years in storage. The HC4 version will new glass cockpits with HUD and night vision, radio upgrades for compatibility with the Army's Bowman communication system and improved defensive aids. Sounds good, they just need to get the funding for it.

BAE JetEye anti-missile system tested on airliners

BAE System's JetEye anti-missile system is now being tested aboard airliners belonging to American Airlines in a programme being monitored by the US Homeland Security department. One AA Boeing 767 has had the system, derived from similar military systems, fitted and 2 more 767s will be fitted with it later in a trial which will last until early next year. JetEye contains sensors to detect incoming infrared seeking missiles, tracking sensors and a laser designed to attack the missile's guidance. Once the system is turned on it operates totally automatically.

All in a system that only weighs 100KG though of course with fuel prices as they are the airlines probably consider that a lot and thus its expensive... though a lot cheaper than replacing an airliner shot down by an idiot with a MANPAD of course.

The tests however will not be involving any live firing of missiles but will check the maintainability and reliability of the system.