madmark
Flight Lieutenant
Posts: 78
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Post by madmark on Jun 17, 2018 22:45:06 GMT 12
The only issue with the P-8 is the high PCN, reducing some of the viable airfields in the Pacific, however if those nations want what is effectively free SAR coverage then maybe they need to upgrade their facilities to accommodate the RNZAF. You might want to reflect on were that cash is going to come from, its going to be us or the PRC. Can the P-8 spend long periods of time conducting low-level search patterns looking for missing yachts and other boats like the P-3K Orions can currently do?No, unless its in the Hauraki gulf maybe. So what percentage of 5 SQN personnel will leave rather than move to Ohakea. Well, the Chinese have already built an airport in Samoa and they own most of Tonga, so that ship has probably already sailed. The P-8 is more than capable of operating at low level. Contrary to popular belief on these boards the USN, RAF and RAAF know how to look for small items bobbing around the ocean in the middle of nowhere, they would not purchase an aircraft that wasn't able to do this. As for how many of 5 Sqn personnel will move to Ohakea, maybe a better question would be how many people on 5 Sqn will still have a job come 2024 if the P-8 isn't ordered soon.. |
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Post by saratoga on Jun 24, 2018 16:14:04 GMT 12
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Post by Dave Homewood on Jun 24, 2018 16:25:19 GMT 12
This thread has been opened again. Keep ALL discussion strictly on the topic of the current proposal for purchase of the P-8 Poseidon jets and do not start the age old done-to-death discussion about what they should have selected, or the thread will be locked again.
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madmark
Flight Lieutenant
Posts: 78
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Post by madmark on Jun 24, 2018 16:55:10 GMT 12
Hopefully this proposal gets through. There will be a huge amount of work to be done at Ohakea to get it ready in time for the P-8 in 2022..
Can anyone photoshop a P-8 in 5 Sqn colours?
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Post by johnnyfalcon on Jun 24, 2018 18:22:22 GMT 12
"...Mark said he had to start "from scratch" on the procurement plan, when he took on the job as minister, last year."
Why? The process for the option of procuring P-8s was begun by the previous government and it had momentum already. Does he feel that any work done by previously appointed officials tasked with overseeing the replacement of the Orions is completely unreliable? Considering that he has made no changes and appears to be continuing with what was already begun, was there really a need to "start from scratch"?
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Post by area51 on Jun 24, 2018 20:38:12 GMT 12
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Post by saratoga on Jun 24, 2018 20:47:44 GMT 12
Ok,Lets just get on and buy them.
But can we have them in another colour, Grey is so 90's...
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Post by Dave Homewood on Jun 24, 2018 21:43:44 GMT 12
How about black like Air New Zealand?
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Post by saratoga on Jun 24, 2018 23:01:18 GMT 12
Settle down Dave,this isn't the transport replacement thread...  |
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Post by snafu on Jun 25, 2018 1:20:23 GMT 12
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Post by ErrolC on Jun 25, 2018 10:09:25 GMT 12
The best way to avoid attention might be even more boring airliner white? |
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Post by kiwithrottlejockey on Jun 25, 2018 10:33:41 GMT 12
Why are the RNZAF going for only 4 airframes to replace 6 airframes?
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Post by skyhawkdon on Jun 25, 2018 10:42:11 GMT 12
Its going to be hard enough to justify 4 airframes to the NZ Taxpayer at NZ$2B. 6 would be $3B. But I agree, down the track 4 won't be enough once they start going through heavy maintenance.
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Post by Dave Homewood on Jun 25, 2018 10:55:17 GMT 12
It's the same with the Super King Airs, the role was doubled and the number cut from five down to four.
I wonder how long after the first P-8 arrives will the P-3's stay in service, since they'll have a decent spares source to keep maybe two flying for a while if the other four are parked up. I mean, it's not like they'll be sold onwards to another Air Force, they're beyond having resale value. I'll bet their operating budget won't stretch to operating the two types together though.
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Post by skyhawkdon on Jun 25, 2018 13:02:53 GMT 12
It will take a couple of years for any new type to acheive an operational level of capability so I expect they will be operated along side each other for a few years. I wouldn't be surprised if the P-3s are offered for sale Dave. They will still have some value, even if only as a source of spares/parts for other P-3 operators (just like the Iroquois were sold for parts).
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Post by vansvilla on Jun 25, 2018 13:46:29 GMT 12
So what looks better, NZ First evaluated the options and selected the P8 as the most suitable or we rubber stamped the last lots decision? This will show up next election round.
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Post by atea on Jun 25, 2018 14:23:45 GMT 12
So what looks better, NZ First evaluated the options and selected the P8 as the most suitable or we rubber stamped the last lots decision? This will show up next election round. Quite right. Ron Mark will be seen as responsible and after going on about the wisdom of the NH90 purchase for so many years didn't really have too many options other than to go through an evaluation process before putting his backing behind it. Good to see that we seem to finally have some action on this. |
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Post by 30sqnatc on Jun 25, 2018 17:40:03 GMT 12
Contact Joe at Buffalo Airways in Canada to buy them as they already operate one Orion alongside their large Electra fleet.
Unfortunately buying less then we need especially when things get older is par for the course for all NZDF equipment these days.
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Post by johnnyfalcon on Jun 25, 2018 19:29:54 GMT 12
Seems to me that the RNZAF fleet for decades has been in an ever-reducing-cycle
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Post by Dave Homewood on Jun 25, 2018 20:02:48 GMT 12
Fleet, bases, trades, personnel, and morale... yet they maintain a high output and continue to do awesome work to the highest standards. Hard to believe that it is sustainable.
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