New Wedgetail surveillance fleet to be based at RAF Lossiemouth

[Mike]

Really?

A new fleet of surveillance aircraft is to be based at RAF Lossiemouth, it has been announced.

The Wedgetail aircraft will be based alongside submarine-hunting planes and fighter jets at the Moray base.

The fleet will begin to arrive in 2023, although no decision has been taken yet on how many aircraft that will mean.

The Wedgetails will carry advanced battle-management technology allowing those on board to track other aircraft and ships over land and sea.

The base has seen major investment in recent years, including a runway upgrade.

It is hoped the Wedgetail announcement could lead to further investment, as well as military and civilian jobs.

The E-7 Wedgetail surveillance aircraft are based on Boeing 737s, as are the Poseidon P8s already on site at RAF Lossiemouth.

From :- https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland- ... d-55351077

[balamorybuzzed]

Correct!

[Bushpilot]

That's going to put 7 squadrons on base, talk about putting all your eggs in one basket! Never the less I look forward to them.

[reaper493]

Wonder if this has anything to do with those little red jets moving to Waddo?

[Vulcan74]

So not going to Waddington as expected!

[Fighterfoto]

Nothing to do with the reds moving to Waddington.

[Supra]

Predictable development really, but surprised that the decision has already been announced. Can't see there won't be enough space for 'just 3' more E-7 at Lossie as multiple USN P8's seem to be there or Prestwick most of the time.
If it gets crowded they could always re-open Kinloss full-time as an RLG.
Way off-topic....I wonder what red jets will reside in the current AWACS Compound at Waddington?

[quid21]

Makes it simple for an enemy to wipe out all of the capability at once with one carefully placed Ballistic Missile but then it's not the Cold War anymore, or is it

[TARGET]

All squadrons to move south-that is if Nicola gets her way

[baz1]

So not going to Waddington as expected!

typical

[ColintheCaterpillar]

Makes it simple for an enemy to wipe out all of the capability at once with one carefully placed Ballistic Missile but then it's not the Cold War anymore, or is it

Yeah, sadly that argument expired about 40 years ago when they could probably quite happily wipe out every base in a matter of minutes!

[Bluetail]

That's going to put 7 squadrons on base, talk about putting all your eggs in one basket! Never the less I look forward to them.

That would be pretty much like the 1980s then, 3 Sqns of Buccaneers, a Sqn of Jaguars, a Sqn of Shackletons and a SAR flight.

[seven]

Aye, but 7 Squadrons back then wasn't 30% of the whole Force!

[reaper493]

Lovely very accurate post from the local rag if anyone wants a bit of a giggle.

https://thelincolnite.co.uk/2020/12/raf ... LBgDsNKyyM

[CVW19752015]

The MOD letter to our local Moray MP gives the aircraft as E-7B Wedgetails...think it was assumed we'd get the original A model so will be interesting so what differences there actually are

[tm74sqn]

Like the new British AAC Apache helicopters, perhaps some of the existing electronic equipment will be reused - so maybe the large rotating dome from Sentry AEW1s will replace the boring radar head on the E-3s!!!! Incidentally there is a rumour that the Rivet Joints of 51 Sqn will move from RAF Waddington to RAF Mildenhall - however, have not seen that confirmed yet.

[reaper493]

Someone on Facebook has apparently heard the 100th ARW are moving to Waddo as well, which is why they have been so frequent in their visits...

Apart from this not happening, they've only visited twice in 4 months.

Love to know where people get this info from.

[ColintheCaterpillar]

Someone on Facebook has apparently heard the 100th ARW are moving to Waddo as well, which is why they have been so frequent in their visits...

Apart from this not happening, they've only visited twice in 4 months.

Love to know where people get this info from.

I know. It’s hilarious. The longer term bonus is that it has unintentionally probably made the move of the Reds easier in the long term.

Love all the “eggs in one basket” comments on social media too. I don’t think people realise if you didn’t centralise your assets you won’t have an Air Force, because infra costs so much to maintain.

[Thunder]

‘Eggs all in one basket’, may have been true during WWII, but during the Cold War a couple of ICBM’s would put an end to everything anywhere within a couple of minutes.

[baz1]

Someone on Facebook has apparently heard the 100th ARW are moving to Waddo as well, which is why they have been so frequent in their visits...

Apart from this not happening, they've only visited twice in 4 months.

Love to know where people get this info from.

typical Facebook rumour mill working again