Reply With QuoteHappy 70th, Rock Apes!
This would be indeed very sad. One has to wonder if other European countries have to face this very same problem.Originally Posted by Eoin666
Happy 70th, Rock Apes!
Precision mortars on the horizon for the British Army?
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GLASCOED, United Kingdom – BAE Systems and General Dynamics Ordnance and Tactical Systems have teamed to develop, demonstrate, and produce the 81mm Roll Controlled Guided Mortar (RCGM), an affordable 81mm precision mortar round. The companies have been maturing the guided mortar technology over the last 12 months and will be conducting tactical demonstrations early in 2012.
The teaming arrangement between General Dynamics Ordnance and Tactical Systems, a business unit of General Dynamics and BAE Systems’ Munitions business, will leverage their respective strengths to provide a low-cost, highly affordable, precision mortar. The 81mm RCGM uses the current UK L41 round and US M734A1 fuze, but incorporates GPS guidance and General Dynamics’ patented Roll Controlled Fixed Canard (RCFC) technology to provide a precision strike capability.
“RCGM will put, for the first time, a low-cost indirect precision system into the hands of the front-line soldier, dramatically increasing his combat effectiveness,” said Ian Anderton, managing director of BAE Systems’ Munitions business. “The system’s increased accuracy will help bring effective fire on target quicker and the reduced number of rounds required for a typical mission will mean an approximate 30 percent reduction in logistics demands – an important consideration at the end of extended supply lines in theater.”
Michael Wilson, President of General Dynamics Ordnance and Tactical Systems said, “Our teaming with BAE Systems will provide the infantry with a lightweight, portable, precision strike capability based on General Dynamics’ innovative Roll Control Guided Mortar technology. By using existing warheads and fuzing with our low-cost control and guidance system, we can offer a truly affordable precision mortar round to the US, UK and allies across the world.”
For more information about General Dynamics Ordnance and Tactical Systems, please visit www.gd-ots.com.
http://baesystems.com/Newsroom/NewsR...121114521.html
Article continued @ FlightglobalUK defence reforms get mixed review from spending watchdog
By: Craig Hoyle London 03:51 10 Feb 2012
The UK Ministry of Defence's procurement practices have shown signs of improvement, but major cost overruns are still being encountered as the department "continues to struggle to live within its means", according to a new report from the parliamentary Public Accounts Committee (PAC).
Detailing a total cost increase of £466 million ($735 million) on the UK's 15 most expensive military projects for the period 2010-11, the committee notes a "trajectory of improvement" and says problems are largely linked to deals signed before 2002. Technical issues have not affected any of the programmes launched since 2008, the cross-party group adds.
So after we have reduced units we are now paying more, whoopty ****ing do.
The more you look at that MPA decision the more incompetent it looks, everyone involved in that project has a lot to answer for.
JDAM thats if you believe the propagand BaE has been pushing. BaE wanted more money to complete engineering on the Nimrod, they are putting the myth forward the aircraft were ready for fielding. They were looking for money to complete the basic engineering, more money to fit and integrate the communications and sensors and more money to integrate the weapons systems (about as much as had already been spent). The engineering report the RAF carried out was showing the aircraft were probably not going to be fit for service with out major rework costing more money. I think we got away lightly!
This is what happens when you have a monolopy supplier wich has the govt wrapped round its finger to buy solely from them!
From your posts I guess you are not the biggest fan of BAE are you mark
Like I said lots of blame to go around, the Labour party for letting it get so far out of control, BAE for not delivering it on time and on budget, the Tories for canceling it without a proper idea of what they were doing (a bit too hasty if you ask me) the RAF for letting them go and so on.
I kind of understand what you are saying, I'm in 2 minds about the whole thing, I think MPA is very important to the UK and we should invest in it but at what point do we draw the line when a project is so over budget and delayed it can’t go on forever.
At the end of the day something as vital to the defence of the UK shouldn’t be allowed to get to the state that it did.
I think you overlook two huge factors.
The ease of entry into banking and services. No complicated qualifications needed. From GCSE level right up to GCSE.
Money. Engineering paid a long way below what one could have expected to make in IT and (can still) make in banking.
Acc to BBC South, a decision on the fate of Ark Royal is imminent, with the (abysmal) artificial reef idea being a strong contender.
Hell no..... as much fun a new reef must be for anyone who scuba dives.... the act of sinking the Ark Royal is not something that should be displayed to the world... specially with the situations going on atm. Sends completely the wrong image out.
Interesting the story in todays press about the navy discharging people caught under CDT. I though the message should have goten through to military personell that illicit drugs are not compatable with service life. It may well be they are winked at by the legal system in this country but the military have different standards. Maybe its time for the country to come up to teh militaries standards. I'd like to see CDT brought into any profession which is a important as the military like the police, the NHS etc.
I agree. But for years teenagers, students etc were 'generally' of a mind that eng/tech/sci were hard work so why bother when I can do IT, or heaven forbid some other far less useful degree 'because it's easy and hey still a degree, so I can still get a good job in the city'
Yes generalising there. But with changes now in Uni funding/job markets there does at last seem to be a glimmer with apprenticeship applications up, and more importantly the view that apprenticeships can and should be viewed as just as valuable as Uni qualifications, just hope the industry hasn't gone beforehand.
I worked hard at Uni doing a science degree and PhD after leaving the Mob, and where now is all the research funding going, let alone all the pharmaceutical industry jobs, 1000's made redundant over the last couple of years, partly the pharmaceutical industry's fault but that's another discussion!!
Bit weird...
http://www.mod.uk/DefenceInternet/DefenceNews/PeopleInDefence/FastestManInAfricaJoinsTheNavy.htm
I thought it was just a PR visit at first, but it seems Africa's fastest sprinter genuinely has joined the RN!
Can it be? Can it really be??
I will certainly sleep a little easier at night if this is announced. £2.1Bn will go a long way to securing current programmes and beginning the procurement cycles for desperately needed new/replacement/upgraded kit. Top of my shopping list is a competent MPA solution.
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