Jets Constantly Flying Over the South West?

[Sterillium]

The last few days, there seems to have been a near constant stream of jets flying across the South West of the UK, everywhere I've been, I've heard them day after day. Anyone got any ideas why?

[Saleen836]

Training exercise maybe?

[BigGingerBob]

I haven't noticed, which is a shame.
But there is a company in Bournemouth that flies Dassault Falcons at low altitude for some sort of military training I understand.
They're painted grey and look st hot too.

[Eric Mc]

BigGingerBob said:

I haven't noticed, which is a shame.
But there is a company in Bournemouth that flies Dassault Falcons at low altitude for some sort of military training I understand.
They're painted grey and look st hot too.

What used to be the Fleet Requirements and Development Unit (FRADU) and in more recent years, Cobham Aeropsace. They provide training facilities for the Royal Navy using converted Dassault Falcon 20 biz jets which can mimic the radar signatures of various aircraft and anti-shipping missiles.

The Falcons are getting a bit long in the tooth now so I wonder what the replacements will be - if they are replaced.

[Zetec-S]

Eric Mc said:

BigGingerBob said:

I haven't noticed, which is a shame.
But there is a company in Bournemouth that flies Dassault Falcons at low altitude for some sort of military training I understand.
They're painted grey and look st hot too.

What used to be the Fleet Requirements and Development Unit (FRADU) and in more recent years, Cobham Aeropsace. They provide training facilities for the Royal Navy using converted Dassault Falcon 20 biz jets which can mimic the radar signatures of various aircraft and anti-shipping missiles.

The Falcons are getting a bit long in the tooth now so I wonder what the replacements will be - if they are replaced.

Plus towed target training.

Do suspect they will ultimately be phased out and replaced by some sort of UAV.

[Eric Mc]

The FRADU used to be a proper military unit and they used a wide variety of types, including Meteors, Canberras, Fireflies etc.

[MB140]

Joint warrior is on the go. North west Scotland so will no doubt be transiting

[100SRV]

Sterillium said:

The last few days, there seems to have been a near constant stream of jets flying across the South West of the UK, everywhere I've been, I've heard them day after day. Anyone got any ideas why?

Skyworks getting signs ready for BREXIT.

[anonymous-user]

I was in Cornwall a few weeks ago. There was a KC135 with 4xF-15s that went over. There was also a Falcon 20 operating off the North Cornwall/Devon coast as well. An RAF A400M also dropped into Newquay on a couple of the days.

[Yertis]

Eric Mc said:

The FRADU used to be a proper military unit and they used a wide variety of types, including Meteors, Canberras, Fireflies etc.

The FRADU Canberra was the first aircraft I could identify, more by stripe than shape. I just had look for a decal set by could find none.

[JoeBolt]

FRADU stood for Fleet Requirements and Air Direction Unit

http://www.fradu-hunters.co.uk/history.html

[MarkwG]

Eric Mc said:

The Falcons are getting a bit long in the tooth now so I wonder what the replacements will be - if they are replaced.

They are, some are the original Federal Express parcel fleet aircraft, from the early '70s. http://www.fedex.com/downloads/about/company-info/... I understand there was a plan to replace with Citations, C650 etc, but that may have fallen through, or just a rumour. The Falcons struggle to hit the high notes, I believe, they're old ladies now

[DavieBNL]

The Cobham Falcon contract was supposed to be superseded as part of a huge new multi-service training project called ASDOT - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Air_Support_to_Defen... - but that has been canned. You're correct the Falcon's are getting a bit long in the tooth and now ASDOT is no more no-one seems really sure about what will happen next - other than, at least in the short term, a contract extension for Cobham to carry on as is.

[Zetec-S]

Some are ex Fedex, others are ex Canadian Air Force. I think one of the biggest challenges keeping them going is availability of engines/spares. Not many operators any more, especially this side of the Atlantic.