Typhoon's in storage

[Jason36]

Reading a post above and noticed so many Typhoon's in storage, why are they stored and not being used. And why stored at Shawbury.

[PeteHemsley]

Shawbury is where most RAF assets are stored.

[jamesg23]

And because the raf a managing tge fleet andd they have too many than they need right now.

[Jason36]

And because the raf a managing tge fleet andd they have too many than they need right now.

And they are still being made.

[PeteHemsley]

And because the raf a managing tge fleet andd they have too many than they need right now.

And they are still being made.

The airframes they have retired are Tranche 1 I believe. They are now building Tranche 3 which are much more advanced. I also understand that some tranche 2 aircraft will be upgraded to 3

[Jason36]

Can't Tranche 1 be upgraded to Tranche 3, I high value asset not being used.

[Thunder]

In short no, something to do with the airframe not being able to accommodate the new avionics.

[scottoz8]

will they not be used to reform the new squadrons ???

[Supra]

Tranche 1 jets are only fit for cheap upgrades to be used for basic flying. Perhaps a tri-colour smoke system & Red paint-scheme?

[markranger]

Some Tranche 1s are staying to be used as Air defence only and Red Air i believe,
I think its the ground attack part they are not able to be upgraded to.

[Gus0898uk]

That's it then, just paint 11 of em Red and we have the Red Arrows Hawk replacement.

[Doughnut]

When the idea of forming an 'aggressor' style training squadron using the older Tranche 1 jets was announced I suggested that the cost of providing the solo Typhoon display jet could also be passed to that unit.
Assuming the squadron would have say ten aircraft and a dozen or more experienced pilots it does not seem unreasonable to suggest that for official events or state occasions that a team of six aircraft could not be formed.
This would not be a fully aerobatic display, just a simple straight level fly-by as a salute, accompanied with a smoke system similar to the Belgium F-16, given the 'aggressor' role painting the jets red should not cause issues.
Assuming that some of the training work carried out by 100 sqn would be done by the new squadron and the sad, but inevitable, disbandment of the Red Arrows, there has got to be a major saving in flying hours, fuel, maintenance, and most importantly manpower, couple of dozen pilots and 100+ ground staff by retiring the Hawk T1

OK before it is pointed out how much it costs to fly a Typhoon at the weekend lets consider there are few events than ten years ago and the duration of the flight would be reduced from a Red Arrows display lasting 25mins, to a couple of flybys and the Solo display. Training costs would be the same for the current Solo pilot, but there would be not need for a six week Cyprus deployment. The 22 pilots who flew this year "100th Anniversary" only needed three / four training days, so it can be assumed that all RAF pilots have the competency to fly straight and level in formation.

[Jason36]

Are the red arrows being disbanded, sorry I live in Australia now.

[Doughnut]

Hi Jason36,

There are no current plans to disband the Red Arrows. But there are issues are of future concern.
1) the planned closure of RAF Scampton, current home of the Red Arrows
2) RAF pilot training is now being carried on Hawk T2 aircraft. Within a few of years maintenance of Hawk T1 will become an issue as the type will be only used by Red Arrows
3) Future pilots will eventually arrive with no Hawk T1 experience and Red Arrows will have to offer pilot conversion to Hawk T1

[mhm]

Move the REDS to Shawbury it will be good for me to watch