Military AI Works

RAF Expects Cuts: The Royal Air Force may need to cut force structure to counter budget shortfalls. British Ministry of Defence officials tell Jane's Defence Weekly that problems stem from funds diverted to air elements supporting operations in Afghanistan and Iraq. Jane'sreports that sources say proposed cuts include two squadrons of Tornado GR4 strike aircraft and delays in delivery of new Eurofighter Typhoons.

From AF Daily Report 10-10-07

Hi

Years ago the RAF went through similar cuts. So much so that the MRCA (Multi-Role Combat Aircraft), which became the Tornado, was renamed by some cynics as Must Refurbish Canberra Again

John

I love this forum. You are always learning little bits of info about the 'real' world out there. Hard to grasp the idea that what used to be huge numbers of airplanes is now shrunk down to double digits for many types. The cost(or benefit?) of technology I guess.

I seem to remember reading that at one time the USMC had more combat a/c than the entire RAF and that Israeli Air Force was the third biggest after the Russian and US Air Forces. Amazing if this was true!!

John

Hi John,
Air Orders of battle used to occupy a lot of my time The hook is in running an analysis by type. The gross numbers are nice for the news but what you really want to know is type and application. I had a email from a Russian Friend pointing out that even though people were excited about the resumption of long-range flights, there weren't that many airplanes that could do it. I think the Russians like others have reduced and are no longer producing some of those famous bears!!

Just had a thought. We had the Pre-Budget Report from the Treasury on Tuesday and I was wondering if the Jane's article was a plant by the MoD to get more money out of the Govt in the next Budget?

Cunning lot the British Civil Service!

John

When I was on the General Defense Intelligence Plan staff at the Pentagon, we called programs like that "Gold Watches." You hold them up and swing them and the legislators are hypnotized into buying them.