RAF to scrap E-3 Sentry this year

[ColintheCaterpillar]

But if they stay, they're going to end up in Lossiemouth anyway. Hmm, Lossiemouth or GIX? I know where I'd rather go.

Depends on the manning and who is actually going - and just because you are on E-3 doesn’t automatically mean you have to go to E-7 for all the reasons previously mentioned.

The E-7 crew make up is quite different to E-3 too.

Yes, but what I'm proposing is similar to what happened with Seedcorn after the Nimrod got chopped. You place a smallish number of people into an existing similar environment in order to maintain the capability until you (hopefully) get a replacement airframe of your own. Doesn't have to be existing crews, but since they're currently out of a job it makes sense (to me at least) to offer it to them first.

Nato AWACS's are in the process of being updated again, which it is hoped will keep them in service till 2035. USAF AWACS have been upgraded to Block 40/45 standard, with the last one being handed back to the USAF just last year. I'll bet 50p that neither service will have their first replacement delivered the next 10-15 years, by which time our fleet of 3 E-7's will either be obsolete (again) or on their second MLU (dream on).

Seedcorn came about due to a large time gap. By the time you’ve relocated people to a seedcorn location, you need them back, which isn’t great for them, and is politically difficult to agree with the other nation/coalition who you - effectively - want jobs from.

As it is, the RAF have people on E-7 already in Australia.

I’m not sure too many people are confident on E-3 staggering on to 2035 in many services, however many upgrades people try and sell to the operators.

[ZackG]

Just when we thought they had finished, ZH101 flew yesterday and is currently flying as typing this as SOLEX01. Heard that a couple might be joining the Chilean Air Force, so maybe prep for that?

[reaper493]

There's a fair few people saying the above, but people 'in the know' are saying they know nothing about it, or they are not allowed to mention it.

I think the rumours started because two people saw some Chilean AF staff in the local tesco...

[Vulcanone]

As Fighterfoto said yesterday, they have finished flying on UK deployed operational missions. But HAVE not been fully retired yet.

[page_verify]

Any aircrew are expected to maintain their flying currency up until the day the funding for their aircraft disappears. Sometimes easier said than done, but where there's a will aircrew will find a way.

[ColintheCaterpillar]

And if the rumours are correct, presumably someone will need to train the customer?

[reaper493]

101 has had at least 2 if not three engine runs this week.

[Supra]

Buy this 'man of vision' a beer & get him to tell you the Lottery numbers for next week!.....

They weren’t upgraded, enduring operations in Iraq and Afghanistan didn’t need it so the money was spent elsewhere. The airframes are fine, the cost of upgrading is uneconomic when you can buy something so much better.
And don’t be fooled by the fact that the US hasn’t bought Wedgetail, on Red Flag when E-7 flies nobody else is interested in working with E-3. That said I wouldn’t be surprised if a long endurance UAV was under consideration or even development.

He could see that Sky Guardian/Protector RC. model coming waaaay back! ..... In other Breaking News, I did see 3 Mexicans in Bracebridge Heath Tesco Express, but they said they were buying pasta, NOT E3D's !

[Agent K]

He could see that Sky Guardian/Protector RC. model coming waaaay back! ..... In other Breaking News, I did see 3 Mexicans in Bracebridge Heath Tesco Express, but they said they were buying pasta, NOT E3D's !

You sure? pasta is not a popular dish in Latin America, Rice surely?

[Supra]

Maybe they lied about both items?

[Agent K]

.... or were Italians, dressed as Mexicans, to confuse and it's actually the AERONAUTICA MILITARE buying them?

[POL]

Why would AMI want to buy them, they already have far more capable aircraft.

Perhaps they were really Scots, dressed as Italians dressed as Mexicans, scoping out the possibility of a Scottish Free Air Regiment, Command Element....

[Thunder]

Please refer to those Scots as Scottish Nationalists. The majority of us up here are happy and proud to be part of .

[Mike]

Please refer to those Scots as Scottish Nationalists. The majority of us up here are happy and proud to be part of .

Well said that man.

I heard the SNP were interesting in getting an E-2 and naming it the 'Hawkeye the noo'.............................

I'll get me coat...............

[POL]

So you're not a fan of the idea of a Free Air Regiment, Command Element?

I guess if I had to make it obvious the joke doesn't work. Will try better next time!

[Mike]

You'd better get your coat as well, Chris.

[scottoz8]

Please refer to those Scots as Scottish Nationalists. The majority of us up here are happy and proud to be part of .

Totally agree, Thunder , I'm a proud Scot ,but British. Too many attitudes re other comments

[baz1]

You'd better get your coat as well, Chris.

what are we to do with you two love it

[TonyO]

Chilean rumours apparently true, Santiago buying three airframes, two to fly, one for spares. Watch out for blue rudders.

[reaper493]

Chilean B767 due Waddo soon, possibly Tomorrow.

I guess they're taking 101/103 and parts of 106.