FighterControl

AH-64E ZM711 is outside on the pan for anyone who still needs it.

Are they still grounded? I remember reading somewhere that they were originally forecast to fly from Wattisham in July this year.

Snoop 95 wrote: ↑

Wed Sep 15, 2021 6:30 pm

Are they still grounded? I remember reading somewhere that they were originally forecast to fly from Wattisham in July this year.

They are not grounded, it is just they have not yet been cleared to fly in the UK.

"Grounded - prevented from flying" - in this case due to lack of clearance. OK I accept that the word is often used when flying is stopped for a reason.

Why aren't they flying yet? Seems very strange to spend all that money upgrading an aircraft and then letting it sit on the ground.

Vulture 01 wrote: ↑

Thu Sep 16, 2021 2:20 pm

Why aren't they flying yet? Seems very strange to spend all that money upgrading an aircraft and then letting it sit on the ground.

They are not upgraded. They are BRAND NEW AIRFRAMES.

They are just awaiting clearance to fly in the UK.

Vulture 01 wrote: ↑

Thu Sep 16, 2021 2:20 pm

Why aren't they flying yet? Seems very strange to spend all that money upgrading an aircraft and then letting it sit on the ground.

I'm sure Boeing, the military certification authorities, the Army etc. know what they are doing and have a clear plan to achieve that certification and release to service. Not seeing any flying doesn't mean nothing is happening with the programme. I've introduced new types to a fleet and they sit on the ground for a while whilst crews and engineering and ground ops and logistics train on them and work towards their introduction to service.

I was working on base a few months ago and asked the question, the reply was exactly the above. Learn to take apart put back together again, train on the systems etc. So when flying everybody knows what they are doing and how to fix it if goes wrong.

I understand that a training unit will be set up at Middle Wallop.

ZM712 and ZM703 were offloaded from a USAF C17 at MIldenhall today after its diversion in from Brize Yesterday. I suppose they will be driven to Wattisham soon.

So the new Apaches are all being taken to Wattisham by road and there being re-assembled ready for testing. Correct? It seems from earlier posts that things are well behind schedule (originally said to be flying in July ) and also that the Training Unit would be at Middle Wallop. So how will they get from Suffolk to Hampshire? All of which presumably means that operational flying at Wattisham will not happen for many months yet.

Snoop 95 wrote: ↑

Sat Nov 06, 2021 8:26 am

So the new Apaches are all being taken to Wattisham by road and there being re-assembled ready for testing. Correct? It seems from earlier posts that things are well behind schedule (originally said to be flying in July ) and also that the Training Unit would be at Middle Wallop. So how will they get from Suffolk to Hampshire? All of which presumably means that operational flying at Wattisham will not happen for many months yet.

I’d like to think by the time ‘training’ commences at MW they will be flying by then.

Gents,

There was a official station event for the introduction of the type into service at Wattisham late last week. It was for station personnel and contractors only so I only know about it second hand. I'm told that it now means it will be cleared to fly in the next week or so, although with so many dates having come and gone I'll believe it when I see it. As for Middle Wallop and Wattisham it looks like they're doing it a little backward and flying will commence at Wattisham prior to the stand up of any permanent training operation at Middle Wallop, assuming that happens as planned. Sounds strange but you only have to look at the introduction of the F-35 to see that a operational sqn can be formed before the formal training unit if enough personnel are already trained.

Gary

Thanks for the clarification Gary.

2 more Apaches were delivered overnight into Brize aboard USAF C17 03-3120. Serials are ZM713 and ZM714. Expect them to be delivered to Wattisham next week.

Cheers

Eccie

Goldstar31 wrote: ↑

Sun Nov 21, 2021 6:25 am

2 more Apaches were delivered overnight into Brize aboard USAF C17 03-3120. Serials are ZM713 and ZM714. Expect them to be delivered to Wattisham next week.

Cheers

Eccie

I wonder why they went to Brize. Given it was a USAF C17 I would have expected them to go to Mildenhall as the previous two did and then by road to Wattisham, eventually. Maybe these new arrivals will go to Middle Wallop to found the training unit.

Snoop 95 wrote: ↑

Sun Nov 21, 2021 12:07 pm

I wonder why they went to Brize. Given it was a USAF C17 I would have expected them to go to Mildenhall as the previous two did and then by road to Wattisham, eventually. Maybe these new arrivals will go to Middle Wallop to found the training unit.

Apart from the previous delivery you mentioned, every other AH-64E delivery has gone through Brize (including USAF C-17 transports).

Snoop 95 wrote: ↑

Sun Nov 21, 2021 12:07 pm

Goldstar31 wrote: ↑

Sun Nov 21, 2021 6:25 am

2 more Apaches were delivered overnight into Brize aboard USAF C17 03-3120. Serials are ZM713 and ZM714. Expect them to be delivered to Wattisham next week.

Cheers

Eccie

I wonder why they went to Brize. Given it was a USAF C17 I would have expected them to go to Mildenhall as the previous two did and then by road to Wattisham, eventually. Maybe these new arrivals will go to Middle Wallop to found the training unit.

More like I wonder why they went to Mildenhall last time, as they have used Brize for all other deliveries.

I saw two Apaches on low loaders heading south on the M40 at Stokenchurch on Wednesday afternoon. Probably the new arrivals.

Alf wrote: ↑

Sun Nov 21, 2021 12:18 pm

Snoop 95 wrote: ↑

Sun Nov 21, 2021 12:07 pm

Goldstar31 wrote: ↑

Sun Nov 21, 2021 6:25 am

2 more Apaches were delivered overnight into Brize aboard USAF C17 03-3120. Serials are ZM713 and ZM714. Expect them to be delivered to Wattisham next week.

Cheers

Eccie

I wonder why they went to Brize. Given it was a USAF C17 I would have expected them to go to Mildenhall as the previous two did and then by road to Wattisham, eventually. Maybe these new arrivals will go to Middle Wallop to found the training unit.

More like I wonder why they went to Mildenhall last time, as they have used Brize for all other deliveries.

A weather diversion if I recall