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Post by Dave Homewood on Jul 1, 2007 22:20:17 GMT 12
The trades of Navigator and Air Electronics Operator are to be no more. They are being merged into one trade under the new Air Warfare Branch. Does that mean we're getting some warplanes now?  Air Force to merge trades NZPA | Friday, 29 June 2007 The Royal New Zealand Air Force (RNZAF) has merged its navigator and air electronics trades into a new air warfare branch. The navigator trade was established 75-years ago while the electronics trade has been part of the force for 40 years. Squadron Leader DJ Hunt said the creation of the air warfare branch was important because many RNZAF aircraft were undergoing modernisation and upgrade projects which would significantly improve their capabilities. The new branch would enable personnel to continue to build on their past training and learn to utilise the upgraded aircraft wherever in the world they might be. The C-130 Hercules aircraft are undergoing a life-extension upgrade to extend their use until at least 2017 while the P-3K Orions are undergoing systems upgrades to improve surveillance capability. The creation of the air warfare branch coincides with the retirement of the Master Aircrew rank, which reverts to Warrant Officer in line with the rest of the New Zealand Defence Force. www.stuff.co.nz/4112533a11.html |
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Post by phil on Jul 2, 2007 10:01:41 GMT 12
They have just merged the rank of W/O and MACR as well, WEF 1 July. No more master air crew.
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Post by flyjoe180 on Jul 2, 2007 13:17:11 GMT 12
Isnt it interesting to watch evolution in progress.
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Post by Barnsey on Jul 2, 2007 14:03:10 GMT 12
Just so long as the RNZAF doesn't go the way of the RAAF and start giving out the double-wing brevet to all and sundry....
It started with awarding Navigators the double-wing brevet as a recruiting and retention initiative, and now the radar operators in the back of the Wedgetail get them as well. "Hey you guys weren't quite good enough to fly the aircraft, and this has obviously hurt your feelings, so here's a brevet that looks pretty close to the real thing. There, there little petals, feel more loved and needed now?"
It's enough to make one feel used and deceived - imagine having a conversation with someone you think is a fellow sky-god, starting to wonder why they can't string a simple sentence together, and then looking closer and seeing that you're conversing with a Nav....
(This is all very TIC!)
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Post by phil on Jul 2, 2007 14:42:47 GMT 12
There is talk of introducing a new brevet for non pilots, and yes, I think it is double winged. I'm not sure if this is going ahead, or if it was just a suggestion.
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Post by flyjoe180 on Jul 2, 2007 14:45:14 GMT 12
Why change the brevets at all? Merging trades is one thing, but if they keep playing with tradition then they may end up with something like this   |
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Post by 30sqnatc on Jul 2, 2007 18:11:43 GMT 12
Just so long as the RNZAF doesn't go the way of the RAAF and start giving out the double-wing brevet to all and sundry.... I wouldn't take a bet on it not happening. Paul |
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Post by corsair67 on Jul 2, 2007 18:47:42 GMT 12
Maybe the "back seat driver's" wings could have lead feet embroidered onto them to differentiate them from the real pilots?  |
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Post by Dave Homewood on Jul 2, 2007 20:10:49 GMT 12
Cheers for that info Mike. Welcome to the forum.
As an AW aircrew member yourself, I'd be interested to hear of your personal experience with the usage of the Orions for land bombing that we've seen mentioned here. How well suited is the type for troop support as a ground attack aircraft? Have they adequately replaced the A-4 in that role in your opinion?
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Post by Dave Homewood on Jul 2, 2007 20:55:33 GMT 12
Thanks Mike. I thought that was pretty much the case. Good to hear it from someone really in the know though.
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Post by phil on Jul 3, 2007 12:40:18 GMT 12
Thanks Dave for the welcome. The current bomb (Mk82) that is used from the P-3 is not and never has been intended as a 'land' weapon. Actually it is far more accurate to say that the Mk82 was never meant to be used as a sub-surface weapon, just because 5 sqn use it that way does not indicate that is what it is designed for. It's sole design purpose is as a land weapon, and it is particularly unsuitable as a depth bomb, we are just too cheap to buy anything more effective. The only thing that gives it any sub-surface capability is the M9 delay, which is fixed at .25sec. It provides no ability to vary the depth of detonation. The NEQ of a Mk82 is only 87kgs of explosive, and a great deal of that energy is expended simply cracking the case. The Mk82 is designed to do most of it's damage against soft skinned targets with the frag it produces. Frag underwater is not effective. The Mk 83 has a much better case weight to NEQ ratio, and would be far better for use as a depth bomb, but they cost more. A proper depth fuze is under investigation, however there are technical issues surrounding the use of this fuse in a low/slow aircraft like the P3, not to mention cost considerations and the fact the 5 sqn are dropping so little HE these days. |
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Post by corsair67 on Jul 7, 2007 20:29:56 GMT 12
Do the RNZAF still practice operating with torpedoes now, and are torpedoes still a part of the Orion's weaponary?
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Post by 30sqnatc on Jul 7, 2007 20:57:09 GMT 12
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Post by corsair67 on Jul 7, 2007 21:21:29 GMT 12
Mike, do the RNZAF send a P-3 across to WA for annual exercises with the ADF, or is it only every second year?
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