Imagine the scene.

[Stewart Pearson]

It's about 10 AM at the Ministry of Defence. The procurement committee is holding it's monthly meeting.

Minister: "How are we getting on with these American Spy Plane thingies we're getting to replace Nimrod?"

Civil Servant: "Oh fine sir - we've even given them a new name!"

Min: "Jolly Good"

CS: "Yes sir, we're going to call them Airseekers"

Min: "By jove Nigel, it makes you proud to be British don't you know. We'll soon show those tommy rotter terrorist chappies who's boss. One of these Airseekers over Kabul being refuelled air to air will keep the buggers heads down"

CS: "Refuelled Sir???? Air to Air sir???????? Nobody mentioned anything about that to me??????"

Min: "Oh Nigel you prawn - you've done it again haven't you?"

CS: "Sorry Sir, but I will do better when I'm Sir Nigel"

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article ... d-air.html

[delbydoo]

The botch-job refueling system that was fitted onto the Nimrods during the Falklands war would be ideal......unfortunately now due to PFI it's all going to have to be tendered and tested and bang goes another few million pounds.....oi vey

[maddog65]

Aww, just go ahead and buy a couple of KC-135's from us also. We need the money.

[Firebird]

Considering the price we got for the Harriers, last year, you should give 'em for free.

[delbydoo]

Considering the price we got for the Harriers, last year, you should give 'em for free.

Yeah - and the KC's are a lot older than the Harriers, but we won't scrap those.......yet

[TheFoufure]

Why don't add to them a system like E-3D ?

[Firebird]

Simply put, the RAF don't want to pay for them as they are already stretched to the limit for a decade, due to the F-35 debacle.

If they were being converted in the UK, they would have done, but as everything is done in the US they wanted shed loads of cash to test and test and test.

[maddog65]

Cuz we need the money....