UK Military News, Reports, Data, etc.

Obi Wan Russell said:

All very good, but the downside is we have gone from operating a fleet of 40+ Sea Kings to just 25 Merlins, which means we have lost a sqn (848NAS, the HQ/OCU). I'd like to see a batch of 15 new build HC4s ordered in the next few years, even if just as attrition replacements as these cabs will have to last a very long time...View attachment 37329 View attachment 37330 I also want to see the 8 HM1 airframes held in storage given the full HM2 upgrade so we have enough for both ASW and AEW instead of the undersized fleet of 30 airframes that will have to be shared between the two roles.

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FORBIN said:

Hummm and yes a solution i have 12 HM1 44 build 2 lost 30 HM2 in service12 stored
They are very young and well stored i have see the birds.
But Merlin carry more troops up to 38 passengers saying 30 -35 much more than old Sea King max 20, so 21 Merlins can transport or almost a RM Cdo, 700 pers.

And RAF have 60 big CH-47s HC3-4 after HC-5 and new HC-6 can host 44 passengers ( + 23 Puma modernized ) ur lucky we don't have it in France surely a weakness imposible have all also !

ASW helos fleet also have decrease but even with 10 AEW Merlins remains 20 + 24 Wildcat
for 19 DDG/FFGs considering max 14- 15 deployed + CV with about 10 the number is sufficient.

We have only planned 27 NH-90 with only 14 ASW kits for planned 15 DDG/FFGs i hope 2 - 3 in more but remains now Lynx for Georges Leygues but after...

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The first Merlin HC4s are due for delivery to the CHF in January 2018. Initial operating capability is expected to be achieved by mid-2018 and full operating capability by December 2020 with the final delivery of Aircraft

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FORBIN said:

So the transport capacity is equal or almost but 4 years with only 7 Merlin iHC3 navalized capable to be deployed on ships !

Actualy i have 14 HC3/ iHC3 in the 2 Sqns but the 7 HC3 surely only used for training and only able do land operations.

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The Royal Marines will be reduced in size and capability under a set of proposals to keep the financially struggling Royal Navy afloat.

One of three frontline commando units will be converted into a support role outfit, while extensive overseas training programmes are threatened with suspension.

Sources said that the proposals, if approved by ministers, would decimate an elite force which had seen action around the world, including in Afghanistan, Iraq and the Falklands. They blamed the navy, which they said was focusing all of its efforts on manning and equipping two new multibillion-pound aircraft carriers — at the expense of the rest of the nation’s defences. “The carriers are like this beast eating up financial resources and manpower,” one said. “You will be left with two floating airfields with no aircraft on them — well, not ours, anyway — a couple of submarines, a couple of escort ships and a few Marines sprinkled around.”

An official “warning order” has gone out to 42 Commando, the frontline unit of about 600 to 700 Marines that will be affected if the plan goes ahead. The unit, based in Plymouth, can expect to lose at least 200 personnel, but the shortfall will in part be offset by a proposal to add a squadron from a different detachment, which will be moved from a base in Scotland where it has been helping to guard the nuclear deterrent.

The unit will then be given support roles such as training, taking on the role of the enemy in exercises and supporting naval operations, instead of working in rotation with 40 Commando and 45 Commando as part of Britain’s high-readiness, elite infantry forces. The overall full-time strength of the Royal Marines is about 6,700.

Alexander Blackman, the Marines sergeant who killed an injured Taliban insurgent, was in 42 Commando before he was jailed for murder, a charge that was downgraded to manslaughter this month.

In a further blow to the Marines there is a proposal to suspend all large-scale overseas training to save money. This includes a cold-weather mountain warfare exercise in Norway that is seen as vital to maintaining a unique skill that is designed to help to protect Nato’s northern flank.

Any suspension could also affect Exercise Black Alligator, a seven-week training tour with the US Marine Corps in the Mojave desert, in California. The trip allows “unparalleled use of firepower in training”, according to the navy’s website.

A former senior officer said that the navy was inflicting “irreparable damage” on Britain’s ability to launch land assaults from the sea, noting that the proposed cuts were in addition to a decision to retire early HMS Ocean, Britain’s only helicopter-landing platform, and to mothball HMS Bulwark, an amphibious assault ship. “The Royal Marines have always been about amphibious warfare, theatre entry,” he said. “If you look at the decisive outcome of the Second World War, the Korean War and the Falklands it is all about theatre entry in one stage or another.

“Without any declaration, almost by stealth, we have gone from a claim to have something that operates at formation level and at global reach to something which can never again be a sustained land operation.”

The former officer accused the navy of targeting the Marines to free up headcounts to hire another 200 much-needed sailors to help to man the aircraft carriers.

“The naval service is refiguring itself in the image that it wants, which is a large capital platform navy comprised of carriers, some new hunter-killer submarines and the nuclear capability,” he said. “Everything else, the Devil takes the hindmost.”

Sir Michael Fallon, the defence secretary, refused to rule out cutting the number of Marines. “We have got 7,000 Royal Marines. The actual balance, the number of sailors and the number of marines, that’s a matter for the First Sea Lord to keep under review,” he told Today on BBC Radio 4.

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TerraN_EmpirE said:

Japan-UK Fighter Project Sign Of Closer Defense Partnership
Tokyo and London explore building a combat aircraft together
Mar 24, 2017

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and

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| Aviation Week & Space Technology

• 
  Anglo-Japanese Fighter
  
  
  Britain and Japan will look at jointly developing a fighter, probably for entry into service in the 2030s. The surprising move is the latest bringing the two countries closer in defense technology.
  
  Even if an Anglo-Japanese fighter does not emerge in the end,
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  is likely to be interested in assisting
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  (MHI) in an indigenous combat aircraft program. But in seeking cooperation, Tokyo probably hopes for a cost-sharing national partner, not just a heavy-lifting technical advisor.
  
  This may be a problem for France, the nation probably most inclined to work with the UK on a new fighter. The two have already agreed to do technology-acquisition work together.
  
  JAPANESE AND BRITISH FIGHTER REQUIREMENTS
  Tokyo needs to replace the MHI F-2 in the 2030s
  
  The
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  is supposed to leave
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  service before 2040
  
  Japan’s defense technologists are sure their Future Fighter should have a pilot
  
  British efforts have focused on unmanned aircraft, while leaving the door open to manned alternatives
  
  Tokyo and London will begin by exchanging information on the ambitions for their current, preliminary projects: the Japanese Future Fighter and Britain’s Future Combat Air System (FCAS). In assessing the feasibility of a joint program, they will also advise each other of their capabilities, says the Japanese Defense Ministry, presumably meaning they will lay their technology cards on the table.
  
  London is not Tokyo’s only potential partner. Japan will continue to discuss the possibility of joint development with other countries, including the U.S., the ministry said in announcing the March 16 agreement. It issued an international request for corporate expressions of interest in June.
  
  The UK is shaping up as Japan’s closest defense-technology partner after the U.S. The two countries agreed in 2012 to strengthen bilateral cooperation, even before Tokyo formally said in 2014, after years of discussion, that it would allow arms exports under limited circumstances. The export decision made joint development and manufacturing possible because Japanese companies could now make parts for a partner.
  
  In 2016, the two governments said they would look at integrating an advanced Japanese seeker on the MBDA Meteor air-to-air missile, development of which has been led by the UK.
  
  The defense ministry in Tokyo gives no time frame for entry into service of the contemplated joint fighter, but the national schedules do not look too far out of step. Japan needs the Future Fighter to be ready in the 2030s as a replacement for the MHI F-2. The
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  Typhoon is due to leave Royal Air Force (RAF) service before 2040; a replacement will have to be ready a few years before that.
  
  
  
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  After Japan and Britain understand each other’s fighter requirements and technologies, they will decide by late this year whether to proceed with a joint study for a fighter, says The Nikkei newspaper.
  
  A crucial difference between the two sides could be regarding whether their next combat aircraft needs a pilot. Years of Future Fighter studies, the most recent of which is a concept design called 26DMU, have all envisaged a manned aircraft, because Japanese defense technologists think air-to-air combat is just too complex for a computer program. But FCAS work has focused on an unmanned jet.
  
  Underlining this point, Japan is flying a subscale demonstrator for a manned fighter, the MHI X-2, whereas Britain has been evaluating its technologies with the unmanned BAE Taranis. Furthermore, the UK and France have agreed to build two full-scale technology demonstrators for an unmanned combat aircraft by 2025.
  
  Still, the British Defense Ministry has said the FCAS effort could result in a manned aircraft.
  
  Japan’s fighter technologists want a big jet.
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  over maneuverability, relying on a big load of large, high-performance missiles for standoff engagement. The concept is somewhat similar to that of the RAF’s now-retired Tornado F3.
  
  The Future Fighter, to be called the F-3 when in service, would be built by MHI, the national fighter specialist. Japan wants to decide in its fiscal year ending March 2019 whether to go ahead with an indigenous project. It is not at all clear that the UK would want to commit by then, even if full-scale development did not need to begin until a few years later for entry into service in the mid-2030s.
  
  
  
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  Credit: Colin Throm/AW&ST

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Obi Wan Russell said:

Another Shock announcement this morning, the Tory Party, famous for not Turning is performing a huge U-Turn!

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Other options are being considered...View attachment 37458

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Jura said:

LOL check

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today (all I can say)

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Obi Wan Russell said:

Another Shock announcement this morning, the Tory Party, famous for not Turning is performing a huge U-Turn!

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Other options are being considered...View attachment 37458

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Historic squadron disbanded to make way for next generation

Emotional scenes marked the end of the last Tornado fleet in Scotland yesterday.

The standard of XV (Reserve) Squadron, which has served the country for 102 years, was paraded for the final time at RAF Lossiemouth in a stirring display of military precision.

Yesterday’s disbandment of the squadron marks the beginning of RAF Lossiemouth’s next chapter.

After facing closure the air base is now the biggest in Scotland and is preparing to begin a £400million transformation to welcome Poseidon P-8 spy planes in 2019 and another Typhoon squadron.

However, the booming future of the Moray base could not prevent emotional scenes yesterday to officially mark the end of the 24-year Tornado era in the region.

Wing Commander Paul Froome, officer commanding the squadron, led his troops through 131 precise orders in his final act in charge.

The haunting tune of the “Sands of Kuwait”, a tune written to commemorate the Gulf War, was played on the bagpipes as the troops left the aircraft hangar. The conflict was the squadron’s final battle honour.

There were 750 invited guests, including families and former personnel, packed into the hanger to witness the final act of XV(R) Squadron.

Wg Cdr Froome said: “I’m incredibly proud today. Members of the squadron have provided a stirring finale to the squadron’s history – and to be able to share today with many past and present members, as well as our families, has been wonderful.

“The hours of dedicated work the engineers have provided to the Tornado force over recent years has been replicated in their efforts today in this arena.

“It was an absolute honour to lead them through today’s parade, and I will be sad to leave them and RAF Lossiemouth.”

Two Tornados from the base were present in the hanger as the personnel dressed in their finest military regalia carried out their last duties as part of XV(R) squadron – although many will transfer to work on Typhoons.

The jets will be flown to RAF Marham in Norfolk over the coming months before they are withdrawn in 2019.
Tornados from the English base performed a flypast at Lossiemouth yesterday afternoon to pay tribute to XV (R)’s century of service.

The squadron was formed in Farnborough in 1915 and was instrumental in bombing raids during World War I. It took part in the Suez Canal crisis in 1955 as well as the Gulf War in 1991.

It moved to Lossiemouth in 1993 and has been responsible for specialist training on the Tornado jet ever since.

Flight Lieutenant Sam Williams was given the onerous task of being the last to carry the standard while joined by Warrant Officer Tam McEwan.

The flag, which bears the squadron’s coat of arms, will be laid up at RAF College Cranwell in Lincolnshire later this month
Group Captain Paul Godfrey, station commander of RAF Lossiemouth, said: “It is a sad day to see the squadron officially disband, ending over 23 years of Tornado presence in Moray.

“The squadron’s output in terms of quality training that has provided the RAF with such skilled air crew has been second to none and has been fundamental to the success of the Tornado on operations.

“All of the Squadron’s members on parade today have made a huge contribution to past and current operations worldwide and are highly regarded for their professionalism and skill.”

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• 2 × Phalanx CIWS
• 2 × 30 mm cannons

RFA Tidespring has arrived at Falmouth from South Korea. Berthing Falmouth Docks tomorrow 1000. Here for 4 months military customisation

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A&P Falmouth welcomes arrival of RFA fleet tanker after months of planning

MORE than a year late on her delivery date from a South Korean shipyard, RFA Tidespring, the Royal Fleet Auxiliary’s latest vessel, is expected to slip into Falmouth Bay tomorrow where she will undergo further trials in the area before berthing on the Duchy Wharf at 1000 hours on Sunday.
A&P Falmouth will welcome the arrival of Royal Fleet Auxiliary’s latest ship. For managing director Gerald Pitts and the Cluster team it will be the culmination of many months of planning behind the scenes.

Tidespring will bring 17 weeks intensive work to the

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where sensitive equipment such as self

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weapons, ballistic protection and communications systems will be installed on all four Tide Class tankers over the next two years.

From now on the yard will have a steady stream of work on RFA ships. It comes at a time when A&P is gearing up to bid for part of a ten-year, £900

million pound Ministry of Defence (MoD) contract to refit and repair ships of the Royal Fleet Auxiliary.
The MoD is keeping very tight lipped about Tidespring’s late delivery giving away little information on the subject.

In February Defence procurement minister Harriett Baldwin blamed “delays in finalising elements of electrical design and the installation of Multi-Cable Transit insulation in accordance with new legislative regulations” which have now been resolved.”

The four ships, Tidespring, Tiderace, Tidesurge and Tideforce, built in South Korea at a combined cost of £450 million, will enter service with the Royal Navy to boost its capabilities by delivering fuel, water, spare parts and other supplies.

These ships are the next- generation tankers forming part of the Military Afloat Reach and Sustainability (MARS) project and are intended to replace the RFA’s ageing fleet of single-hulled tankers.

Tidespring will complete her customisation programme here then embark on four months of specialist trials in the Western Approaches and off Scotland during which time the RAS (Replenishment At Sea) equipment; helicopter trials and other military roles will be tried and tested before she enters service with the fleet.

The last tanker to bear the Tidespring name served the Royal Fleet Auxiliary for 30 years from 1962 until 1992 and saw action in Aden Withdrawal (1967-68) and Monrovia (1990).

In 1982, however, she found herself supporting the task force sent to liberate the Falklands.
In addition to providing fuel for Royal Navy vessels, the tanker was home to a company of Royal Marine commandos during the recapture of South Georgia.

Those actions saw Tidespring being awarded its first battle honour.

The board carrying it, plus the ship’s badge, was kept when the tanker was paid off in the early 1990s and after making the 6,000-mile journey from Britain to South Korea now has pride of place on the new ship.

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