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Post by macnz on Apr 23, 2015 10:23:30 GMT 12
The Heckler & Koch G36 assault rifle reportedly suffers inaccuracy "..when temperatures rise above 30C (86F) or when it heats up through constant firing ...the rifle’s accuracy can deviate, under higher temperatures, by up to six metres at targets 500 metres away." Source: www.theguardian.com/world/2015/apr/22/german-military-to-stop-using-gun-that-cant-shoot-straight-if-hotAnyone know the status of NZDF replacement evaluation for the Steyrs? rumour had it that they are currently putting FN SCAR through the paces.
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Post by macnz on Apr 22, 2015 23:57:23 GMT 12
EFH is an alternative operational metric used to the number of calendar years after a LEP or MLU. eg. C-17 has 30,000 EFH for its service life and following LEP - 45,000 EFH. I think the C130H were 38,000 EFH and following structural wing replacement its bumped up to 60,000 EFH?
AA - is a metric for the % of time the aircraft is expected to be mission capable.
I was curious to understand what operational tempo the 5-10 year forecast the RNZAF planners were working from.
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Post by macnz on Apr 22, 2015 23:43:28 GMT 12
SOrry for confusion to clarify its US Sustainment Jargon..
EFH - Equivalent Flight Hours AA - Aircraft Availability CSL - Complete Service Life
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Post by macnz on Apr 22, 2015 10:34:29 GMT 12
I'm not technically familiar enough about the system or Canterbury to know. All I have read is the system has been fitted out on 26 different classes of vessels so far. Small enough to be fitted onto patrol boats and effective enough to cover a 4500 tonne Tank Landing Ship. In time, if we could afford to, we should. Given HMNZS Canterbury is the center piece of our amphibious task force. System now upgraded to include anti-torpedo decoys as well. Here's a good presentation of the system: www.camara-alemana.org.pe/downloads/121204-11-Rheinmetall.pdf
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Post by macnz on Apr 21, 2015 11:22:55 GMT 12
Following the LEP, I wonder how many extra EFHs have been added to the C-130s CSL? and what rate of AA is the RNZAF getting? USAF have an AA of 75% for their C-17s fleet (85% in some cases) and 67% for their K130s.
Did the LEP include wing replacement?
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Post by macnz on Apr 19, 2015 12:09:40 GMT 12
Agree. Like the C-17, the P-8 may be a little too expensive for NZ needs but these days govts seem a lot more at ease to splash an extra billion here or there and to prove whose assets fly fastest to China. If we do end up with C-17, a few VIP pods - with parachutes - gets my vote
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Post by macnz on Apr 19, 2015 2:12:50 GMT 12
re: Is the NZ government even prepared to go with a high end frigates?
Don't think they can afford not to at least have 2 Frigates for combat patrol duties. They will probably be 6000 tonnes if they are MOTS. Ideally should be kitted out for both AAW and ASW roles. A third OPV and a MARS would be the ideal way to complete the fleet. If NZ were to opt for another 2 OPVs instead, then my vote is for 2x 3,750 ton Damen Schelde Holland Class rather than the BAE-Tenix design. However if keeping to a BAE design is preferred then the Riverclass 2 design might be a better profile.
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Post by macnz on Apr 19, 2015 1:36:16 GMT 12
A complete review of the Australian ship building industry is required. Everything from the need to retool in light of 3D Printing and the management of projects needs to be tackled. The Australian government's failure to gear the shipyards for exports leaves gaps when they are no longer required. Ditching the Alliance model used with the Air warfare destroyers would be a good start. Given how countries like Vietnam are scrambling to acquire ships and subs the short shortsightedness of the Australian government is really highlighted. Is the NZ government even prepared to go with a high end frigates? They have shown no interest in ensuring the navies two Anzac Class frigates are equipped with anti shipping missiles. By the time the NZ government gets around to making a purchase we will know if the RAN next generation frigates are MOTS or being build in Australia. If they are MOTS the political factors involved with the Anzac relationship won't come into play. re: anti-shipping missiles FSU for Te Mana and Te Kaha - 2016 and 2018 with Royal Canadian Frigate upgrade program by Lockheed Package includes; Lockheed Martin’s CMS 330 combat management system, Sea Ceptor active missile system utilising the Common Anti-air Modular Missile (Maritime) (CAMM(M)), and Rheinmetall Multi Ammunition Softkill System with twin-launcher MASS_2L configuration - includes a long-range capability and 2 naval laser warning systems (NLWS) www.navy.mil.nz/nap/nn/16-june-2014-anzac-frigates-to-get-maple-leaf-makeover.htmwww.navy.mil.nz/downloads/pdf/navy-today/nt179.pdfMight have been handy to outfit the OPVs with the Rheinmetall MASS system too. I suppose that will be part of a future MLU
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Post by macnz on Apr 19, 2015 0:32:35 GMT 12
I'm not sure the role could be justified unless an airframe could be used primarily for some other purpose. A VIP/Pilot Trng/Pax transport variant based on the P-8 modified airframe might have some merit, but otherwise it would be very very hard to justify. not sure about the P-8 airframe that is already a specially modified 737-700 for MSA/MPA isnt it? If we are talking multi-tasking isnt it easier to interchange AR and AT? in which case the A330 MRTT probably better suited airframe. For the P-3K2 replacement I still believe we would be better off with 4 Bombardier or Embraer aircraft spec'd for MSA/MPA. We could even increase their utility by giving them ASTOR and SIGINT roles like the UK and US do with their Sentinel R1/ E-11A BACN so they can support the Army. Probably dont need for AEW like SG has with the Gulfstream G550.
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Post by macnz on Apr 19, 2015 0:12:33 GMT 12
We already have a pax /combi aircraft suitable for VIP work. What I am trying to say, is it more viable to keep one B757, or sell both and buy something else. My choice would be A321LR ...there could be another option. A Private Finance Initiative (PFI) as done in UK and NATO in BE. In UK case, the PFI funded the purchase of 14 A330 MRTT aircraft. The RAF pay for AR and AT missions as required. The RAF retain responsibility for all military missions and have the "first call" on aircraft to mobilise in times of crisis. The consortium own, manage and maintain the aircraft and get paid to provide training facilities and some personnel. The private contractor is also entitled to earn extra revenue by using a proportion (5) of the fleet for commercial operations when not in use by the RAF — either as charters or leased air-refuelling missions for other European air forces. So as NZ Govt still have a major interest in AirNZ, get AirNZ into a consortium with Airbus to add 3 A330 MRTTs to the ANZ commercial fleet. Wet lease 2 to RNZAF for dedicated AT of troops and flying pollies. Use the remaining 1 for commercial charter or supplementary AR or AT services for RAAF and have MRO performed in AU. If either breaks down or are tied up on mission in another part of the world, then RNZAF can invoke the services of the spare. If NZ buy the A400M we also then have AR capability to support them and whatever we replace the P-3s with eventually.
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Post by macnz on Apr 17, 2015 13:35:25 GMT 12
As USN gears up to replace the Northrop C-2 Greyhound with a new version of the V-22 as the Carrier Onboard Delivery (COD) aircraft, its been announced the mid-life upgrade (MLU) plans for the V-22 are already in the making. This follows USAF passing 3,000 flight hour mark and USN's decision to buy 48 V-22s after the current multi-year production deal expires Fiscal 2017, and Japan already purchasing five of 17 V-22s in its current acquisition plan. www.flightglobal.com/news/articles/us-navy-developing-early-plans-for-v-22-mid-life-upgrade-411212/
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Post by macnz on Apr 17, 2015 13:22:49 GMT 12
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Post by macnz on Apr 17, 2015 13:20:18 GMT 12
of course ErrolC, lets hope a VIP BBJ is not in the shopping list.
FYI Boeing announced exploring the concept of introducing a BBJ variant of the USN C-40 Clipper. Has a large cargo door just behind the left-side forward door enabling 4t to be carried as forward cargo and 70 people in the aft. Boeing yet to develop this combi version, but is studying the possibility and wants to float it to the market.
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Post by macnz on Apr 17, 2015 10:11:02 GMT 12
oops. meant to write.
and at the time they were reporting " The armed forces are busy with 22 aircraft engaged in missions around the world ..."
2 C-17s would be nice but unless they are the Tardis, they cant support 4 regions of operation round the clock. Replace 5 Hercs and a 757 transport with just 2 C-17s ? - lets not shortchange ourselves. The UK brought a C17 and A400Ms mix, our neighbours have a C-17 and C-27 mix, India has C130Js and Antonov An-32s to complement their C-17s. Reads to me if we buy the C-17 we will be paying a lot more than $600m to be part of this club. If NZ can only afford one platform of airlift then numbers, capacity and sustainment all matter. Yes a ANZAC pool of C-17s might help bridge the issue but given the utility proclaimed about the Bhuddas, realistically dont quite see the Aussies loaning us freely one of their C-17s while one of ours are in repair or periodic maintenance.
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Post by macnz on Apr 17, 2015 9:49:32 GMT 12
Here is a link to the report (the Foreign Affairs, Defence & Trade Select Committee's 2013/14 Annual review of NZDF & MoD). C-17 info on paqe 3. link
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Post by macnz on Apr 16, 2015 22:44:30 GMT 12
Latest report on state of Aussie Ship building says : The report concludes production of naval warships in Australia involves a "30 per cent to 40 price premium over the cost of comparable production at shipyards overseas", but finds "this premium could drop over time". - Hope NZ pollies take note. All for ANZAC cooperation we just don't want to pay for 2.5 Frigates and get them 3 yrs late. Note: report based conclusion on surface ship building only. Source: www.abc.net.au/news/2015-04-16/naval-ship-building-in-australia-more-expensive-than-overseas/6395972
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Post by macnz on Apr 11, 2015 22:48:07 GMT 12
Still some left for us though. "The announcment about two additional aircraft reduces the number of ‘white-tail’ C-17s to FIVE aircraft, says a Boeing spokesman. Two Australia, 1 Canada bringing its fleet to five aircraft, and two ordered by an undisclosed customer in the Middle East."
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Post by macnz on Apr 4, 2015 22:28:15 GMT 12
appreciate the feedback sfb
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Post by macnz on Apr 4, 2015 22:17:14 GMT 12
The StanFlex mission payload system was developed in the 1980s by the Danish Navy (KDM) and now operates across about 9 classes of vessels in their fleet. They have developed about 11 different mission payloads of various weapons and systems in modular containers that are interchangable between a variety of vessels at dockside in just a few hours. Would not be surprised if the USN got the idea for the LCS from KDM.
KDM just get their suppliers to build the guts into this container module, the weapon or system is mounted on top of the module. The modules are precision machined to mate up with connections for power, ventilation, communications, water, and data in the ships 'slots' and they have a set of standard consoles in CIC to operate them from. With this set-up KDM has been able to save a lot of money and time when upgrading missile systems, guns, torpedoes and sonar as you can imagine.
30 years, 9 classes of vessel, 11 modules - think they have proven their system works. Like I said the Danes share a lot of similarities with NZ. Similar size country and population and economic constraints. Their naval fleet is bigger than ours but nevertheless still a small navy working within a budget. Their EEZ is vast, maritime-wise fisheries and drilling are significant so their patrol covers Baltics, Iceland and Arctic circle necessitating both a blue water and littoral vessels. Their design and ship building pedigree are extensive.
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Post by macnz on Apr 4, 2015 11:42:41 GMT 12
You could make a contract with Air National to do VIP transport... Or in next future, when P-3K2 will be replaced, even choice an common platform such as Bombardier, Embraer for both service, Executive and MSA/MPA Part agree. Yes I think our P-3K2 replacement should be a Bombardier or Embraer platform spec'd for MSA/MPA. Boeing even offering this as alt. to their P-8s. Plenty of precedent in region, even UK decided to upgrade their Sentinel R1s to maritime last year (after slating them for disposal in 2010.) US posted RFI for their E3 replacements to be off a small jet platform too. www.janes.com/article/45057/uk-to-upgrade-sentinel-r-1s-for-maritime-operationswww.casr.ca/ai-bombardier-global-sma.htm
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