The RAF to get a 6th C17... ...again.

[C]

Just in case you missed this the first time it was announced (in the summer), the British government have obviously been getting bad press from the current Chief of Defence Staff, and 5 former CDSs, about years of underfunding and lack of equipment...


...so amusingly, it appears that yesterday they decided to announce that RAF is buying a 6th C17...

...which was the second or third time it's been announced!

[FLYING_TRUCKER]

Good afternoon Charlie...

That is good news for your lads.  The Canadian Forces has two in operation right now with two more on the way.

Sounds like you have the same jack asses we used to have in government...oops did I type that out...darn... 8-)    ;D

Cheers...Happy Landings...Doug
P.S...How soon people forget the cost of peace and their freedom!  ;)

[ozzy72]

I would imagine that after the catalogue of incompetence that was the XV230 hearing that they wanted to make a pathetic attempt at positive press. Time for some more Yes, Minister/Prime Minister to boost my cynicism

[DONTREADMYUSERNAME]

USAF has 150

[Isak922]

USAF has 150  :P

Lol just kidding you, I hate all of that political crap, alota congressmen here want to see the heavy bombers go away  :(

Yet, without them, our forces would more or less be lost.

We're already under-armed when it comes to our Bomber fleet. That's the only reason we're keeping the B-52 in for so long!

[expat]

Just in case you missed this the first time it was announced (in the summer), the British government have obviously been getting bad press from the current Chief of Defence Staff, and 5 former CDSs, about years of underfunding and lack of equipment...


...so amusingly, it appears that yesterday they decided to announce that RAF is buying a 6th C17...

...which was the second or third time it's been announced!

It wont happen, they will just "lose" the CD that has the order on it

Matt

[HawkerTempest5]

So have we actually brought these now or are they still on loan?

[Tom...]

So have we actually brought these now or are they still on loan?

I think they are on loan till sometime in 2008 when the raf plan to buy the 1st 4 from the Usaf, thats what i remeber but it might be a different arrangement

[OVERLORD_CHRIS]

The first 4 were rent to own, while the last 2 are paid for.

[C]

So have we actually brought these now or are they still on loan?

The lease is being bought out around the same time the 5th is delivered next year.

I think they are on loan till sometime in 2008 when the raf plan to buy the 1st 4 from the Usaf

They were never the USAF's aircraft IIRC, the lease was straight from Boeing. The four aircraft we currently have will be modified up to the latest block standard when the new aircraft are delivered (I'd always had the impression they were kept currently-modded as part of Boeing's requirements).

[Vapour01]

So the RAF DO still spend money on equipment after all...

[C]

So the RAF DO still spend money on equipment after all...

Once in a while...

I feel for the Irish Air Corps - they wanted one C-130, but I don't think the three(!) government departments who would have to fund it could agree to terms!

[OVERLORD_CHRIS]

...... The four aircraft we currently have will be modified up to the latest block standard when the new aircraft are delivered (I'd always had the impression they were kept currently-modded as part of Boeing's requirements).

ZZ172 was recently here changing one of it motors, and it had one of the most current upgrades from when I went up stairs on it. The newest block upgrades that the 2006 & 2007 have are still being worked out, so I think it had the proven 2005 upgrades.

[C]

...... The four aircraft we currently have will be modified up to the latest block standard when the new aircraft are delivered (I'd always had the impression they were kept currently-modded as part of Boeing's requirements).

ZZ172 was recently here changing one of it motors!

I'm sure that was a welcome change for the crew in view of its current "normal" work...