what has our military lost during austerity measures
Discussion
It has, but only against ground targets which is not what it's primarily supposed to be for. As you suggest it's possibly to justify the expense and also perhaps as a demonstration to possible export customers.
It was supposed to be primarily for air to air engagements, but the RAF haven't fired an air to air missile in anger for, well, ever so far as I know. Eric?
It was supposed to be primarily for air to air engagements, but the RAF haven't fired an air to air missile in anger for, well, ever so far as I know. Eric?
I don't think any of our fighters have shot anything down for years, I think the last time was the infamous Phantom accidentally shooting down the Jaguar in Germany. I think the Tornado F3s were kept well back from the front of the action in Gulf War 1.
The Typhoons did drop weapons in Libya, however I think this was in conjunction with Tornados, and only a specific older variant of Paveway. I think the choice of weapons available on the Typhoon is rather limited. The Tornado can use quite a few variations of Paveway, Storm Shadow and Brimstone, which I don't think the Typhoon is cleared for.
I think Tranche 3 Typhoons may have the ability to have conformal fuel tanks fitted, so may free up underwing pylon space for things like Storm Shadow.
The Typhoons did drop weapons in Libya, however I think this was in conjunction with Tornados, and only a specific older variant of Paveway. I think the choice of weapons available on the Typhoon is rather limited. The Tornado can use quite a few variations of Paveway, Storm Shadow and Brimstone, which I don't think the Typhoon is cleared for.
I think Tranche 3 Typhoons may have the ability to have conformal fuel tanks fitted, so may free up underwing pylon space for things like Storm Shadow.
ecsrobin said:
All of them apart from the nimrod you could say were coming to the end of their useable life or have a replacement or are due a replacement soon.
From a certain point of view you could say Nimrod had reached the end of its useful life, hence the collosal cock up that was MRA4 as even more life was squeezed out of the type. (Granted it was near enough a "new" aircraft)Simpo Two said:
Anything in anger since the Falklands?
Don't think so, and I don't think the RAF have shot at any aircraft in anger since the 1940's. That's if you don't count RAF pilots in USAF or Royal Navy aircraft. Or the dubious rumours of a strange incident involving an Indonesian military transport in the 1960s.Ray Luxury-Yacht said:
ecsrobin said:
Crossflow Kid said:
The iconic LR Defender/Wolf is for the chop soon too. 
That's because LR are discontinuing it. The MOD have already picked a replacement. Defender is just too small and, in the grand scheme of things, weak nowadays and what with LR discontinuing the civvy spec I guess it makes sense. I have my doubts that the discontinuation of the model is the sole reason.
LR have in the past produced a number of MOD-only vehicles (most notably the 101 and Air Portable), and if Defender still fitted the bill production could continue for military orders only.
Edited by anonymous-user on Saturday 4th October 20:43
Fishtigua said:
Slightly O/T but has the Typhoon/Eurofighter been in action yet? We've spent all this money on the blasted thing but I haven't seen any reports of it firing a single thing in anger. Is this because it's too shiny and new?.
Define "action".As a deterrent it seems to be working. Haven't seen any Bears over Basingstoke just yet.
Our nuclear subs have never fired in anger either.
Crossflow Kid said:
Fishtigua said:
Slightly O/T but has the Typhoon/Eurofighter been in action yet? We've spent all this money on the blasted thing but I haven't seen any reports of it firing a single thing in anger. Is this because it's too shiny and new?.
Define "action".As a deterrent it seems to be working. Haven't seen any Bears over Basingstoke just yet.
Our nuclear subs have never fired in anger either.
Crossflow Kid said:
Ray Luxury-Yacht said:
ecsrobin said:
Crossflow Kid said:
The iconic LR Defender/Wolf is for the chop soon too.
That's because LR are discontinuing it. The MOD have already picked a replacement. Defender is just too small and, in the grand scheme of things, weak nowadays and what with LR discontinuing the civvy spec I guess it makes sense. I have my doubts that the discontinuation of the model is the sole reason.
LR have in the past produced a number of MOD-only vehicles (most notably the 101 and Air Portable), and if Defender still fitted the bill production could continue for military orders only.
Interesting to also hear that the G-Wagen is still being used, that's credit to an originally good design platform isn't it?
Those Pinzgauer, Mastiff, Wolfhound, Ridgeback machines - who / where makes those? Are they UK companies?
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