UK Confirms 9 Boeing P-8's to be purchased

[KINROTATE]

Why would an MPA be required to stooge about In the middle of the Atlantic, or wherever? They have hunter killer subs for that piece. MPA needs to operate in the Iceland/Faroe gap, the U.K. Maritime sea lanes and project out for SAR when required. Any other tasking would just be gravy.

[pjharvey]

Was there any mention of engine options? RR would be preferable I'm sure, but I have a feeling we'll be getting them with whatever they had on in the shop window.

[pjharvey]

Also, has it definitely been said they are going to be RAF assets? I suppose there's a possibility they could go to the navy otherwise.

[Trenchard]

Was there any mention of engine options? RR would be preferable I'm sure, but I have a feeling we'll be getting them with whatever they had on in the shop window.

CFM56 engines a variant of the engine on the E3 and RC135

[ColintheCaterpillar]

Also, has it definitely been said they are going to be RAF assets? I suppose there's a possibility they could go to the navy otherwise.

Where's FAA's current or even recent large multi-engine experience? You have to second a Sqn of RAF types to man it!

As for Lossie being the apparent MoB - they're going to need to be giving the front end crews fairly robust Returns of Service or they'll have those who don't particularly fancy living north of the wall walking out for the NG 737 operating airlines as soon as their RoS is up.

[Thunder]

I doubt it will be a case of adapting existing hangars. There are none at lossie that can hold a P8, so i would imagine it will be a case of flattening some buildings and starting from scratch for the new fleet.

K16 and 17 could easily be adapted to take the P8 with tail sticking out the end, or with some extra work in redesigning the roof beams could take two inside altogether, the same thing happened at Kinloss for the Nimrod back in the day. Remember these Hangars took the Shackletons when 8 Sqn was resident.

[toom317]

As for Lossie being the apparent MoB - they're going to need to be giving the front end crews fairly robust Returns of Service or they'll have those who don't particularly fancy living north of the wall walking out for the NG 737 operating airlines as soon as their RoS is up.

What a load of Meat and two veg. Kinloss was one of the best bases going and Lossie was/is just as good. There are plenty of English folk who stayed on living up there after they left the RAF.

[Thunder]

As for Lossie being the apparent MoB - they're going to need to be giving the front end crews fairly robust Returns of Service or they'll have those who don't particularly fancy living north of the wall walking out for the NG 737 operating airlines as soon as their RoS is up.

What a load of Meat and two veg. Kinloss was one of the best bases going and Lossie was/is just as good. There are plenty of English folk who stayed on living up there after they left the RAF.

Hear hear!!!

[Nighthawke]

Since the P-8 is basically a 737NG then the obvious answer is that Mr O'Leary runs them - ready-trained crew on type

[pjharvey]

They could probably assist in search, but a P-8 isn't going to be able to winch you out of the sea

[thorny1a]

Why 9?

Well I'd have ordered 19 of them!
Although that's probably why I'd never be a good politician... or an accountant!!

Plennnnnnty of scope to keep 9 busy, I'm sure the French / EU deployment would accept some help in the horn of Africa for counter piracy work

[EGDR]

as the P-8 range is only about 2/3 of what the MRA4 could do.

1200nmi combat radius looks adequate to me.

[ColintheCaterpillar]

As for Lossie being the apparent MoB - they're going to need to be giving the front end crews fairly robust Returns of Service or they'll have those who don't particularly fancy living north of the wall walking out for the NG 737 operating airlines as soon as their RoS is up.

What a load of Meat and two veg. Kinloss was one of the best bases going and Lossie was/is just as good. There are plenty of English folk who stayed on living up there after they left the RAF.

That as may be, but give people a type rating - something that never came with the old jet at Kinloss - and people may find the grass greener depending on other factors (it's all very well saying people have "retired" there and loved the place etc, but the the people who'll be manning this jet will include a lot of people for whom the previous "T&Cs" of being a service person aren't quite as good (pensions, pay, quarters etc), and however much they love a place, the pull from outside may be great). And much as that part of Scotland is a lovely place, some people don't necessarily don't envisage a career there. It's a current reality of the economics of life.

You may find it a load of "Meat and two veg" (your words, not mine), but I think they'd be doing well to try and get as many as they can on a fairly decent 5-6 year RoS - particularly on a tactically complex platform such as an MPA; it may be something that the RAF has had recent experience of with the other frames that they operate that come with the type rating!

[2e1var]

as the P-8 range is only about 2/3 of what the MRA4 could do.

1200nmi combat radius looks adequate to me.

You wouldn't be saying that if you lived in Gibraltar !

[reheat module]

Looks like reasonable coverage for the 'Cola' Peninsula, especially if you use the earlier Nimrod options of Bodo/Andoya or Keflavik for deployment.
As for Gib, 'bring it on' : Open Gate, Closed Gate exercises every month etc, I went 13 times in 1 year.
Hic, - great for camera gear too.
Personally delighted the option is Lossiemouth - busy, but a stupendous place all round.

[EGDR]

You wouldn't be saying that if you lived in Gibraltar !

Yes I would, it can stop for fuel in Gibraltar.

[Freeman Lowell]

Since the P-8 is basically a 737NG then the obvious answer is that Mr O'Leary runs them - ready-trained crew on type

Nice idea but would the weapons kit survive the repeated 'crash' landings like SLF can.
Freeman

[Maverick231]

Any idea when the order is going to be placed?

[C24]

Speaking of basing, has anyone considered the current trend in storms over the North of the British Isles?

If it continues to be the case, perhaps lower down might be a wise move. Just a thought.

[hugh91]

Yes as long as its Prestwick if not Lossie is the obvious choice.