Typhoon and Lightning jets have successfully conducted their largest ever mass firing of Advanced Short Range Air-to-Air Missiles (ASRAAM), say the Royal Air Force.
Over the space of 10 days, pilots from eight different squadrons successfully launched a total of 53 missiles at target drones.
The Royal Air Force add that the ‘Missile Practice Camp’ took place over the sea in the Hebrides Air Weapon Ranges last month and was the largest mass firing of the infra-red guided Advanced Short Range Air-to-Air Missiles from Typhoon and F-35B Lightning II.
“Typhoon pilots from 1(F), II(AC), 6 and IX(B) Squadrons based at RAF Lossiemouth, as well as from 3(F), and 41 Test & Evaluation Squadron at RAF Coningsby, worked with Lightnings from 207 and 617 Squadrons based at RAF Marham in the event.
The ability to end-to-end test these missiles develops confidence in the weapon, whilst simultaneously developing personnel from professions across the RAF. From the movement and loading of live weapons onto the aircraft, to the aircrafts’ transit to the Air Weapons Ranges, the integration of personnel and aircraft from around the country was key to the success of the event. The training has proved the impressive capability of Advanced Short Range Air-to-Air Missiles across both RAF combat air platforms, providing training and real-world feedback by destroying Banshee drone targets.”
Expectations surpassed
An unnamed pilot from RAF Lossiemouth was quoted as saying:
“It surpassed all expectations of what my first live firing exercise on the Typhoon would be. Selecting the weapon and knowing a live missile would come off the rail was a unique moment; hearing the missile tone and pulling the trigger, followed by a large whoosh sound and a slight wobble of the aircraft was fantastic.
Watching the missile disappear into the sky in front of me was a moment to remember, it really is impressive how fast the Advanced Short Range Air-to-Air Missiles can go. The experience has given me a real appreciation of the capability of the missile and how it can be employed in a real combat situation.”
Additionally, note the RAF, crucial experience of safely transporting and loading live weapons onto aircraft was gained by logistical and engineering personnel.
“This is vital in developing an even more skilled team to protect UK interests.”
For sure mass live firings are very important. The number frequency and depth of them became hollowed out from the 1990’s when only EoL munitions we available due to budget cuts.
Important to make sure everything works 100%
Important so the pilots have experienced the wobble as the missile comes of the rail, and the wash they fly through and know to expect it.
And very important that Orcs know we, the RAF alone, can recycle, to the great scrap heap in the sky, 50+ Of their aircraft a day if needs be.
In a way this was a EoL timing. As the RAF is moving from Block 4 to Block 6 ASRAAM. The cost of modifying the 4s to 6s would have been looked at. But also the opportunity for a live missile exercise.
Still a mass firing exercise like this will take months of planning. Brilliantly executed all the same.
👍👍
One exercise fulfilling multiple purposes: elegant.
Love the use of the racist epithet to describe the Russians.
Orcs are not a race.
I was quoting H R R Tolkien?
In that context it just means pointlessly murdererous and unprincipled fighters……
I will not have Orcs disrespected.
Actually I have to retract.
Orcs were merciless warriors.
The Russian Army is something else….particularly the leadership….
Agreed 👍
Sure their mothers love them.
Presume the implication is that H R R Tolkien’s mythical Orcs will suffer grievous reputational damage as the result of a comparison w/ Mad Vlad’s real life slobbering variety? If so, excellent observation! 😁😉
Quite.
👍
Hilarious, you are moaning about the use terminology for a fictitious race of aggressive brainless monsters! Oh my, how little you seem to understand the term you throw about. Do put your handbag down and use this wonderful thing called the Internet for education.
Maybe I’m not taking this stub too seriously?
It’s not racist, but it is both accurate and mildly amusing at the same time.
DN wrote:
“”Love the use of the racist epithet to describe the Russians.””
Douglas,
Reading through your previous posts it becomes very clear that you are a pro Russian supporter, and I can also understand that you are really worried about how the tide has turned against the Russian invader , but really, playing the ‘R’ card in which to express your embarrassment about how your predictions have all been Pete Tong:
https://i.postimg.cc/4d1Dj2mX/Opera-Snapshot-2022-10-22-231456-ukdefencejournal-org-uk.png
And heres another:
https://i.postimg.cc/c1n9KbsC/Untitled-2.jpg
and I’ll end with this classic:
https://i.postimg.cc/mZYnX5Kq/Opera-Snapshot-2022-10-22-234027-ukdefencejournal-org-uk.png
To be fair, at the start of the conflict, I certainly believed in the Russian hype in regard to their force numbers and capability. After years of indoctrination of facing off against our likely foe. Who would have believed that little Ukraine not only had the balls to stand up against Russia. But prove that the Russian military might was an illusion. I must admit even I predicted that Russia would steam roll over Ulraine’s forces. As I believed probably much like everyone, they had strength in numbers plus a huge logistical tail to back that up. I too was… Read more »
Ouch, touched a nerve? Tell me, do you live in Milton Keynes by any chance?
I won’t call the Russians involved in the illegal seizure and murder of innocent Ukrainians Orc’s. Oh no! I shall use the term everyone will have to get used to their official name the world will use, “War Criminals”
So it’s a morality argument? Are we (the West) war criminals for our actions against Iraq and Afghanistan, or Libya, or Serbia, or indeed Syria where we currently operating in country against the wishes of the legitimate government and are in fact engaged in supported anti-government factions. Our allies are also stealing and selling the oil of the Syrian people. Are we war criminals? Look at the actions of the Ukrainian Government, spreading petal anti-personnel mines in cities like Donestk. Their SBU is like the Gestapo in its pursuit and actions against people who “collaborate” with the Russians. Collaboration BTW… Read more »
Honestly nobody is interested in your pro Russian lies and nonsense here. Go back to your Russian buddies forum and discuss how the mean Ukrainians destroyed a pontoon bridge that killed civilians at 11pm at night when the Russian imposed civilian curfew starts at 10pm. Or how the Bucha actors moved to Izum to make it look like war crimes again. These alleged actors Russia says are being used must be making a fortune staging all the sick and twisted acts the Russians allegedly commit. One is even up for an Oscar according to Russia one news. All your posts… Read more »
Your Stephen bandera is way off. One man murdering hundreds of thousands of people. That’s a hard job for one person. Did he play a part in some peoples deaths. Of course. Is he my hero, not a chance. He fought for Ukrainian independence and that’s why some people admired him. He is not the only national hero of Ukraine. There are some 652 of them. He was added in 2010. And is currently annulled. There is an investigation into how these awards were awarded by some officials. The fact you choose to bring up azov (a Russian favourite) who’s… Read more »
So that’s Adolf Hitler off the hook too. One man can’t kill 4 million Jews.
Did the Ukrainians put all 652 of their national heroes on Stamps or was it just the killer of a couple of hundred thousand Poles they did that too?
Azov don’t fight for Zelensky they fight for Ukrainian nationalism.
Did you come up with those arguments yourself.
Yes I did come up with those points my self. As unlike yourself who relays whatever nonsense your Russian handlers tell you to post I research and come to my own conclusions.
Next you will be telling us Russians don’t attack Ukraine the hand out flowers and help old ladies cross the road.
Russian handlers … LOL!
Next you’ll be telling me the Ukrainian government didn’t shell the people of Donetsk and Luhansk for 8 brutal years, and don’t shoot “petal” anti-personnel mines into city-centers.
Sad Nazi, alas very similar propaganda and agenda as JohninMK and one or two other leashed mouthpieces!
Desperation and flecks of froth!
ahhh diddums – someone got a different opinion than you?
Please hold the line, your call is important to us……
Ah your talking about Adolf Hitler! So, as someone who has voiced his support for Putin and his illegal invasion of Ukraine and the victory you want to see in the East of the county by Russia, you must be excited talking about Hitler! Nice, at least you admit to supporting this Illegal invasion and the subsequent murders, rapes, theft, torture and looting. I suppose the Dirlewanger Brigade are a sort of hero status for you!
DN wrote: “”Are we (the West) war criminals for our actions against Iraq and Afghanistan, or Libya, or Serbia, or indeed Syria where we currently operating in country against the wishes of the legitimate government and are in fact engaged in supported anti-government factions.”” I see this argument dragged out time and time again in which to allow CERTAIN people to try and claim the moral high ground so to that end: Afghanistan: Legitimate target for the US after it had been attacked by a terrorist outfit based inside Afghanistan which the ruling body had refused to hand them… Read more »
DN wrote: “”Look at the actions of the Ukrainian Government, spreading petal anti-personnel mines in cities like Donestk.”” Here’s a little something, I looked into the above and found that Ukraine signed the Mine Ban Treaty on February 24, 1999 and became a state party on June 1, 2006. Here is a statement from HRW on the very subject dated June 15th : “”Ukraine signed the 1997 Mine Ban Treaty comprehensively prohibiting antipersonnel mines on February 24, 1999 and became a state party on June 1, 2006. There is no credible information that Ukrainian government forces have used antipersonnel mines… Read more »
DN wrote: “”And lets no ignore the actions of the AZOV battalion or groupings like Kraken or Tornado who behave the like the worst of the SS.”” Really, Al J did an interview with the Unit in March 22, they posted the total number of the unit at 900. And from the fighting we have seen, I doubt very many are left. But lets take you statement as actual fact, tell me how many Cities have the AZOV battalion destroyed? How many Hospitals, Shopping centres, High rise buildings have they destroyed with cruise missile strikes, How many mass graves have… Read more »
DN wrote:
I have many a time and for some strange reason when I post actual facts to your outlandish claims you never respond. Funny that.
Desperation feeding off desperation! Getting a bit frantic now! Calm your pants! You support the Russian invasion, but haven’t got the balls to come out and say it!
Who doesn’t have the balls? I started off well in the western camp at the start of the war but reading up on it I can see how the Americans — primarily the Democrats under Obama & Biden — have been planning this whole thing for years ably supported by the EU in the 2014 Coup D’etat against the elected Ukrainian government of the time. So yeah, now I hope Russians defeat the Neo-fascist regime in Ukraine and restore dignity to the people in Donestsk and Luhansk and indeed in Kherson. They have suffered massively under a fascist government guilty… Read more »
So you support a Russian Nazi regime, forces conscription, illegal invasion, rape, torture, looting and murder! Ok, at least you admit it! And not many in the west, aside from the sad Corbyn squad, have your opinion, as most have a level of education! Cheers my little Nazi! When’s your camps bring built?
Sky news have knocked out a video article on the subject:
Thought you meant Orcs for a moment.
U beat me. I will one up you with forces news video of missile firings
https://youtu.be/TtlJbIiBeRc
I gather that the RAF consider Typhoon has few real world peers, apparently acknowledging only the F22 as superior overall i.e. no surprise, generationally. Did set me wondering how much of an equalizing factor fitting the already trialed vectored thrust kit would make. Either way, the UK combination of Typhoon & F35 is likely as good as it gets, outside of the US.
The F22 has no IR sensors, this in some circumstances is profound.
It does mean that an F22 operator would have to choose his battles quite seriously.
F-22A, per FY23 budget submission, is slated to receive an underwing, podded IRST system as one feature in a rather massive modernization/upgrade program. Upgrade rumored to be in preparation for potential confrontation w/ PLAAF in near/mid future. NGAD is thelonger term response.
F22 can also use the IR sensors on the payload.
There are IR sensors and there are IR sensors!
Vectored thrust is only a thing where dog fighting is on the cards?
Because of the front canards Typhoon can turn a lot harder than you would think looking at it.
F35B has vectored thrust for VSTOL but also doesn’t have front canards and a wing designed for stealth not manoeuvrability.
Agreed, SB, just idle musings. But it probably wouldn’t come amiss at some point in conflict? No-one buys that everything’ll be BVR anymore it seems.
The saying I remember is thrust vectoring is only really useful in a knife fight in a phone box situation. It’s not needed if you blow up the phone box on the way there. As the choice would always be down to money it would be a choice between thrust vectoring or new radar or new asraams, more meteors or something like that.
Oh yes, there are indeed higher priorities. Though 5th Gen fighters already buy into the capability, of course. Why?
On Typhoon, its trialed-use is only going to become valid if (when) the shite hits the turbofan. After all, we’re already escorting our Rivet against the oops excuse of missile release; whether BVR, WVR, or even potentially inside the WEZ with canon😮?
As above, pilots don’t seem to subscribe to a long BVR fight in any sort of melee. Still musing.
Often the rules of engagement won’t allow shooting of missiles before actually visually identifying the aircraft. Will we ever see a pilots shooting missiles off at a target 50 miles away? I don’t know. Are radars able to tell what type the aircraft is at those distances? Again I don’t know.
Maybe tempest will go with thrust vectoring. Being a bigger aircraft might require it
Had to admit I don’t’ obviously havee the knowledge to take this any further. Found this, though, which may help both of us reference ‘real world’ findings:-
https://theaviationist.com/2013/02/21/raptor-vs-typhoon-us/
🤔
I was hoping to read about the firing of one massive missile.
Soon….
Just 10 or so days to Guyfawks night!
Lots of practice, hopefully most pilots (especially new ones) got to fire off one.
I’m guessing some of these would of been the new model ASRAAMS, hopefully we get some pics and videos soon
In case anybody is wondering…. These will be old missiles fired off for practice. Firing them off saves money as otherwise they would need to be safely dismantled and disposed of. All current Asraam missiles are being replaced by new Asraam Block VI production missiles which entered service in April 2022. Consequently as new missiles arrive older missiles can be fired in practice shoots. Unlike other systems that are being replaced with a wholly new system this will still have training value as the operation of the system is essentially the same, unlike say firing off lots of Milan when… Read more »
With respect to MANPAD type missiles there is value in firing anything as it gets the operator used to the recoil and heat.
Sure there is zero value in the acquisition and targeting side of things.
I would hazard a guess as to a mix of the new and oldest blocks. If nothing else for comparative purposes.
As much as publicly been released in saying Block 6 replaces Block 4 obsolescence. You can guarantee that is not the case due to advances in technology. So what extra does Block 6 bring to the table? I bet are the questions being asked by the likely foes of ASRAAM.
Changes for Block VI are no US components, all British so free from ITAR restrictions (leading to a half dozen foreign sales). Higher resolution camera on the seeker and the seeker is now internally cooled no longer requiring a feed from the plane. The original seeker was already supposed to be the best IR seeker in the world able to resolve an aircraft at 30km to the same resolution as a radar seeker thanks to its focusing lens. The two way datalink meant it was often used as an intelligence pod by aircraft lacking their own IR cameras/not equipped with… Read more »
Which is why US components are being cut from everything under development….
Not a cool move to your closest ally….
Sometimes the American pork barrel simply obstructs itself.
Yep SB. UK Gov has increasingly been on the pickle of any manufacturer that is responsible in whole or part of the development for a system that hasn’t got a ‘Made In UK’s tag. The change to 100% UK built and developed was made in 2017 by Gavin Williamson. The US increasingly frustrated him, denying the UK the ability to export some equipment to Kuwait, then UAE and Saudi Arabia. After that, the various boards of UKDC, were told they had until 2021 to only use UK manufactured/developed and software where possible and to report where they couldn’t, what did… Read more »
Very well expressed.
A good solid reply that was pretty much as I suspected and/or knew.
The conservatives, to be totally fair, have been undoing a lot of the damage labour (Blair/Brown) did to defence manufacturing IP issues.
Good thing to as we have some of the best IP in the business.
Not wanting to be political, but Brexit has also helped the cause of UK manufacturing in the defence sector from what I have seen in the past 7½ years. The absolute ability of the UK government to specify UK based companies and to be given explicit projects that couldn’t have been done under the old OJEU system. This has forced the likes of Boeing, Airbus Group, Leonardo (inc Selex ES subsidiaries), General Electric (including its GE Aviation Systems subsidiary), Lockheed Martin, MBDA, Safran, Spirit AeroSystems and Thales Group, have all opened or expanded their manufacturing facilities. That’s a lot of… Read more »
Fair point.
I voted against BREXIT.
The EU antics made me realise that I was wrong: even thought I’d spend some happy years working there…
Not quite sure if you mean for the EU or in Europe, SB. Nothing wrong with Europeans, if you disregard how aggressive Italians can get when behind the wheel of a car, that is! Brussels is another matter. Forget the peace & harmony b.ll.ks they used as a justification at the start, there are only two options offered; Their Way or Their Way (I worked for them during final career move). Voted for Brexit. Knew we’d take an economic hit. Nothing to do with Boris buses or control of immigration. Just Brussels. Have mused since 2016 on what might have… Read more »
Agreed, all counts.
We actually know now that Sir Tom Scholar never asked for the one thing required: an immigration brake or control.
Whilst the Berliament doctrinalists would have resisted tooth and nail…..trouble was that Merkel went along with it as did France as it was about the only thing they could agree on. Germany needed the cheap labour + cheap energy to keep it merchantile miracle turning.
Meanwhile in the UK we were determined to make energy expensive to kill our manufacturing.
Ah, Energy! By and large I had no real issue with Maggie, but she was behind the sell off of our North Sea HCs to the BP / Shell’s of this world, when we’d come very close to a Sovereign Wealth Fund. Norway as we’re well aware, told self same MultiNats they would have to be satisfied with a decent return, not ownership. Norwegians ended up with a renowned SWF and we got a bit a tax * – nothing like the same return on precious assets. Going forward, SNP quote it’s Scotland’s Oil to support Indy. Well, not really,… Read more »
You and I both supportive bloke.
Fascinating. Thanks for this.
Having control over your own systems has, I think, been undervalued in the past.OK, may cost more but for things you later want to export or give to one of YOUR allies – not always the same as allies of, say, the US – well, it’s needed! I think this is something that has really come to the fore recently.
Yup, the point I was making above was that it is often to do with US commercial interests too.
Sometimes ITAR is an excuse.
Very interesting info. Thought Uncle Sugar had multiple paths to enforce its will against US headquartered multinationals’ participation in non-favored transactions. ITAR primarily, but also old-fashioned coercion/intimidation (ye olde “Mr. (Contractor X), we’re gonna make you an offer you can’t refuse”). 🤔😎
A welcome outbreak of commom sense from HMG, most satisfying. The French have been doing it for years.
ITAR…Was and sometimes remains the bane of my life! The UK Single 30mm Gun mount had a mini gyro in it for stabalisation. ITAR reared its head so a new European sourced gyro was used to replace it so no export restrictions for the new user. Years ago BAe got hammered by ITAR BAE Systems PLC Pleads Guilty and Ordered to Pay $400 Million Criminal Fine | OPA | Department of Justice They are now massively ITAR adverse . Its not just ITAR but also EAR restrictions . You know its bad when a Govt puts Life jackets and Horses… Read more »
Sure but ITAR does stop RAF/RN using them or having them in the ‘just in case’ stockpile?
👍👍
The premier Short range AAM, no doubt about it. I would love to see Martlet integrated on these platforms if possible as a cheaper missile to engage smaller drones with. It doesn’t say if they were using jet Banshee or perhaps a mix, but engaging smaller drones with ASRAAM is obviously expensive. Obviously this is not just a “shooting down drones” exercise, however I just read that the Russians had bought 2400 of the Iranian Shahed 136 drones, which although need shooting down, perhaps don’t need ASRAAM to do so?
AA
Trials have been done successfully using APKWS and CVR-7 PG 70mm rockets against drones (fired from helicopters). Both require the target to be constantly illuminated by a laser designator, for it to home in onto the target. They can both be used against slow moving aircraft such as drones and helicopters. However, they weren’t designed to counter highly maneuvering targets. So if a pilot in a helicopter sees it coming, they have a pretty good chance of evading it. Martlet was primarily designed to counter fast inshore attack craft as favoured by Iran’s Republican Guard. These can be used in… Read more »
The HEL system is now in POC. That will be the system for inexpensively taking out drones.
Thanks for that. Having Martlet on a Reaper type UAV might well be a good form of drone defence, as the big UAV has the necessary targeting equipment and the long loiter time. Currently Ukraine is being struck by medium sized (?) essentially propellor driven cruise missiles well behind the front line and out of range of the Russian air defence envelope where a Reaper could do its work in peace.
AA
For fast air it would be better to integrate APKWS as launch would be a whole lot easier to qualify…its a bit less draggy than a Martlet canister as well…cheaper munition as well…if APKWS’s guidance unit could be cleared with CRV-7 you’d get the best of both worlds. There are also IIR guided rockets as well such as the LOGIR. There has been claims of helo shootdowns with Martlet in Ukraine, and there is video of one doing damage at the very least (its impossible to tell if the Russian helo crashed from the available video), but I’ve seen no… Read more »
I have seen two videos of Ukrainians shooting down two Russian Su25s under the label Stinger wins again! However, when you look at the videos more closely, it definitely is not a Stinger firing unit, nor is a Grom. The videos only show the frontal aspect of the firing unit and the attached missile canister. It looks just like the Starstreak/Martlet one. However, from experience, I would say it did not fire Starstreak, as the missiles accelerated far too slowly. Which is why I believe they used Martlet. Martlet has a terminal speed of around Mach 1.5, plus the two… Read more »
Regarding 70mm rockets. The South Koreans are now pushing and selling a 70mm system with an IIR homing head. 8Km range, fire ad forget and comes in a 36 round launcher!
Anyone thought of using guns?
Ukraine has modified and upgraded its Shilkas with a new firing computer and radar. To make them more effective against drones. This was done during the Donbass war. Where both sides were experimenting on how to use and counter larger and off-the-shelf commercial drones. The German supplied Gepards, should be pretty handy against TB2 sized drones. However, they have been in storage for nearly a decade. So, I don’t know if their radar and firing computer have been kept up to date, or have the necessary software to help it search for and track small drones? Oerlikon have stated that… Read more »
Anyone know why we never developed twin rails for ASRAAM on each pylon, as was done with sidewinder? Would seem an easy way to increase missile loadout.
I think the asraam uses the same rail system as the sidewinder so such be available if needed.
Apart from the sea harrier or some other aircraft that has a small number of pylons available it’s probably not needed.
The standard load out for typhoon is 4 meteor and 2 asraam on pylons that won’t be used for any other purpose.
Perhaps the F35b may benefit but I imagine the whole point of a stealth jet would be to fire before being in visual range.
With drones becoming a bigger issue there may become a need to carry more missiles
Standard Lossiemouth Typhoon QRA loadout is 4 Meteor and 4 Asraam plus 2 tanks. Has been for years.
All western aircraft use a NATO standard rail, that has specific dimensions. This means any western missile that uses rail hangers, can use it. The rail is part of a launcher that incorporates a power supply unit and interface for the 1553/1760 databus. Also included in the launcher is a gas bottle for cooling down the missile’s infrared seeker. When Typhoon first came into service, there was a twin rail option for the outer wing pylons, but none of the partner nations took it up. The aircraft’s outer pylons are still cleared for the twin rail launcher. All the separation… Read more »
Dont know about the Eurofighter which has pretty solid delta wings but other fighter jets do suffer wing flutter if they put large/multiple missiles on the wingtips.
Beast mode requires a real need. In a few years we’ll have Tiffies with 4 JNAMMs and 4 ASRAMM6s. That is quite sufficient for now. I’m keener on getting hold of some of these dual rail launchers for AMRAAM/Meteor/JNAMM for the F-35’s strong point internal mounting; giving upto 6 internally.
Zero chance of 6 Meteor internally. Or for Sidekick on UK F-35B.
The Sidekick rack is for the F-35A and C variant only. It will not fit in the smaller bay of the F-35B. As UK is the funder for Meteor integration we’re not going to pay for expensive work on 2 platforms that we will not be using. Sidekick also takes advantage of the Amraam’s shape to overlap missiles. That would not be the case with Meteor with its air intakes.
RB wrote: “”Zero chance of 6 Meteor internally. Or for Sidekick on UK F-35B.”” I do believe that the joint participation of Japan and the Uk in the development of the Joint New Air-to-Air Missile is a solution to that very issue: I quote from the diplomat (08/09/22) The funding request of 300 million yen for the JNAAM during fiscal year 2023 is for preparation costs related to the performance evaluation testing of the new missile’s seeker, an official at the Japanese defense ministry’s Acquisition, Technology, and Logistics Agency told The Diplomat on September 7. The JNAAM program is… Read more »
The JNAAM work is not going to change the size and shape of Meteor, make the F-35B’s internal bays bigger…or get the US to somehow squeeze Sidekick in to the F-35 I’m afraid. F-35B will be limited to 4 AAM’s internally unless someone makes them a lot smaller..
https://i.postimg.cc/x8mkBV97/Opera-Snapshot-2022-10-22-150239-www-airforce-technology-com.png The UK Ministry of Defence (MoD) has added the Royal Air Force’s (Raf) C-130J fleet to its list of military equipment that will be made available for sale through the Defence Equipment Sales Authority (DESA) from 2023, which is slated to be the out-of-service date for the type. Operated as a tactical airlift aircraft, the C-130J Super Hercules is in service with numerous military services around the world and has gained a notable reputation of reliability and ruggedness, able to operate from improvised landing strips. For these reasons, special forces in particular are known to utilise the platform… Read more »
Sad.
No word on the additional A400M’s……oh wait that would mean the budget uplift is needed…
“although the induction of the larger A400 Atlas is intended to offset the loss. ” What utter bullshit. One because the 22, once 25 Atlas, were meant to supplement Herc until the 2030s according to the 2015 SDSR, not outright replace it. Two, the 22 Atlas, minus those in depth maintenance, minus those grounded with a fault, minus the one in the FI, minus the one on standby at Brize for SPAG, cannot be in all places at once carrying out the taskings that 22 Atlas plus 14 Hercs can, no matter how much the Atlas carries or how far it… Read more »
Precisely
I wondered if the RAF are more happy having the 60 chinooks A400, C17s so have are ok getting rid of the older C130.
Once again we see a capability cut before anything is put in place or even an explanation of why the forces no longer need the C130.
Not doubt some nonsense about being agile, adaptive, smarter, forces don’t need transports.
I get the aircraft have been around for a while and used a lot but without getting a minimum of 10 A400 to replace the Hercules it’s another cut
Truth is C-130J was only purchased as an ‘interim’ airlifter due to delays with A400M and the aging of the UK’s C130 C1,2 and 3’s. There were never supposed to remain in service for ever…
Now that A400M is here the justification for retaining C-130J has declined…
Obviously the quantity of A400M that we eventually got has declined significantly….classic Treasury.
But….if we do get additional A400M later in the 2020’s we’re in a reasonably good position
Your last para is key. If…..
The Chinook numbers are reducing too I’d read, but we have plenty ( for a change) to the force structure of 7, 18, 27 Sqns and the Joint Puma OCU, so that reduction doesn’t impact as such. The ER Chinook order was also deferred. Considering so far the RAF has lost Sentinel, Defender, Islander, most Hawk T1s, withdrawn Sentry prematurely, and will next loose Typhoon T1 and Hercs since the previous review I’d hate to see defence cuts! On the plus side, 16 Protector, 3 Wegetail, 20 odd additional F35, MPA restored with P8. And right on cue, talk of… Read more »
When Sunak was in No11, I got the strong impression he is no friend of defence. Even when he was in the run off against Liz Truss, his defence policy was non-committal and so vague as to be ridiculous. If he gets in as PM, the MoD can expect cuts – have no doubt!
Sadly, that is the reason that I supported Truss once Mordaunt was out. The 2019 long term settlement til 2024 was only accepted with regret by Sunak, it was reported he only offered a 1 year deal.
Given the long lead nature of defence expenditure and procurement that is ridiculous.
Unfortunately Daniele, I think he’s going to get in. I was so hopefully when Liz got the job, that finally we had a PM who truly took defence seriously and was willing to invest accordingly. Now look at what we could be facing! A week in politics……
At least if Hunt remains at No.11 then maybe there’s a chance defence will be ok as he is pro-defence himself but he too is a politician… therein lies the problem.
Strangely, he first came to notice politically in 2017 with his call for Strategic Defence Review to dramatically strengthen protection of our undersea infrastructure.
It must be absolutely fantastic sitting in the cockpit of typhoon or a lightning jet fighter and firing a rocket and feeling it whoosh away from you, i hopethe Argentinians are watching
When ASRAAM was first being tested. One of the first aircraft it was integrated on was the F18. The trials were done in the US. The comments from the pilots when firing, went something like this: “God damn did you see that thing go!” to “F**k me, that’s quick!”. It cannot be emphasised enough how fast off the rail ASRAAM is, compared to other missiles in the same category.
Off topic, but the Russian leadership need a few of these missiles in their faces!! What we’re seeing and reading in the news is horrific!! What absolute bastards!! Maybe they’re too thick that the West can do the same to them if it chooses too. Hope Ukraine 🇺🇦 wipes the floor of them all out of their country. Hit them hard and fast and blow the f***ing Kerch Bridge up for good next time… it might stop the Russian subs getting in/out of the Asov sea! Iran also will have a lot to answer for. As if they hide from… Read more »