Wednesday 3 October 2007
The RAF Presentation Team led by Wing Commander Simon Firth
This meeting was by invitation open to ladies and other guests and about 80 plus attended, we were pleased that Barbara Budd the President from the Ladies Probus Club of Ascot was in attendance following our invitation and arranged by Ken Robinson our Speakers Secretary, also David Ashen the Events Secretary from the Surbiton Club joined us.
This was a fast moving multimedia presentation providing a broad overview of the Royal Air Force from expeditionary operations to the provision of humanitarian aid, this was split into a six part real life video documentary with one of the team inserting a verbal introduction to each part which covered many RAF facets from the top guns to the cooks and medical staff, a real team effort. It should be noted due to this format the following report is not a word for word representation but based upon the insertions of Simon and Jackie around some RAF provided material.
The Royal Air Force Presentation Team was formed 27 years ago to tour the United Kingdom and provide presentations to a wide cross-section of people about the changing role played by the Service in defending the United Kingdom's interests worldwide. The Team is comprised of serving personnel from a variety of ranks and experiences and is led currently by Wing Commander Simon Firth.
Wing Commander Simon Firth (left), a Navigator by specialisation, although he said technological changes meant that such specific post were not being trained as such, but were more likely to be Weapons Systems Officers, his key words were 'An Agile, Adaptable and Capable Air Force that, person for person, is second to none, and that makes a decisive air power contribution in support of the UK Defence Mission.’
He continued (with full support from Flight Lieutenant Jackie Hawthornwaite) in the same vein; over the last few years the Royal Air Force has undergone significant change, having made excellent progress towards generating a capable and affordable force structure, which is able to cope with the unpredictable and complex security environment that exists today, and is likely to exist in the future. We now have a balanced Air Force, which is structured and orientated towards expeditionary operations built on the firm foundations set, consolidating where appropriate, whilst still ensuring that we are sufficiently agile to adapt to emerging threats, and the opportunities offered by new concepts and technologies. Our objective in all this is to provide rapid, precise effects across the full spectrum of operations, from high intensity war fighting to humanitarian relief operations.
Agility (and the use of helicopters shown left) is at the heart of our operational capability. But we also need to be sufficiently adaptable to keep pace with changes in the security environment, and our equipment needs to have the embedded flexibility to be capable of meeting new demands. As a consequence, single role platforms will, I believe, become increasingly something of the past; multi-role must be the way forward. We must also make sure that we have the right people to support the frontline and ensure that they are just as agile and adaptable as our equipment.
Chinook HelicopterThe Royal Air Force makes a vital contribution as a force for good in the world by delivering flexible air power wherever it is needed. The Cold War may be over, but it has left behind a world that is less predictable and, in many places, less stable. Britain and her Allies are now faced with challenges of many different kinds. The RAF is ready to meet these challenges.
The RAF needs to be able to respond swiftly and effectively to new threats and challenges, preventing escalation in dangerous situations by projecting air power and, if necessary, countering force with superior force and skill.
At the same time, the RAF must retain its fighting edge, by keeping pace with technology, and training to meet the changing demands of a modern battlefield. All this must be done cost effectively; that is why the RAF works increasingly in joint structures with the Royal Navy and the Army, as a team, making more efficient use of British defence resources and increasing operational impact. The RAF’s key task within these joint structures is to be ready to deliver flexible air power to meet any challenge.
In order to deliver the Royal Air Force Vision we must develop our speed and accuracy in analysing and delivering effects, underpinned by innovative and imaginative solutions resulting in reliable and effective decision-making at the lowest appropriate level. Introduce the Typhoon (shown above) into operational service and, as swiftly as possible, provide the aircraft with a robust all-weather multi-role capability.
Maintain and further develop an agile, adaptable and capable expeditionary air power contribution to the UK's overall Defence capability, which takes full account of emerging threats, concepts and technologies
Improve the accuracy, speed and coherence of our ability to deliver effects across the battle space by developing and exploiting the UK's network enabled capability
Harmonize our air power capability, concepts and doctrine with those of the US Forces (typical use of the USA built Globemaster shown left)
Ensure our structures, organization and processes deliver rapid and accurate decision making at the lowest appropriate level
Provide a World-class flying and ground training system and improve through-life education and training to produce well-motivated, highly trained, agile and adaptable war fighters. Develop a sustainable manning and personnel strategy that supports the RAF's expeditionary capability and takes account of the prevailing social environment. Improve the quality of the RAF’s operational, technical and domestic infrastructure
Optimize investment in the RAF by delivering and exploiting the benefits of the Defence Logistic Transformation Process, building a strong relationship with Industry, and eliminating waste and bureaucracy across every strand of RAF activity
Further enhance the image and reputation of the RAF with the public as a means of maintaining their enduring support and meeting our recruiting requirements
In today’s world, it is a regrettable fact that there are many conflicts and fragile cease-fires waiting to explode into fighting, not just in the Gulf area but in Asia, Africa, and even within Europe. The RAF must be ready to deliver flexible air power anywhere in the world.
Air power has always been a difficult concept to define. The British definition is as follows: "The ability to project military force in air or space by any aircraft, helicopter or unmanned air vehicle."
Air power has three main characteristics: -The rapid arrival and build-up of aircraft near or in trouble spots provides a visible sign of presence and intent. Modern air operations are also extremely flexible and can be switched between attack, defence and support depending on the needs of the moment. Air power is less vulnerable to enemy fire when compared with land and sea forces.
Air operations can also be conducted from bases far away from the opponent's military forces. During Operation Allied Force, for example, RAF Tornados operated from their home base in Germany and attacked targets in Kosovo. These missions were supported by in-flight refuelling.
These characteristics can be combined to increase the effectiveness of air operations. For example, reconnaissance requires reach and height for high-level missions while transport aircraft use speed and reach to move force and equipment rapidly from home bases to deployed operations. The Royal Air Force’s role, in conjunction with the Defence organisations, is to defend the UK and its interests, strengthen international peace and stability and be e a force for good in the world.
We achieve this aim by working together on our core task to produce battle-winning people and equipment, building upon the successes of our past and on the characteristics that make air power essential. Defence Vision. Our airmen lie at the heart of this capability, we rely upon their professionalism, dedication and courage. We train them well and enable them to leverage the potential of technology to achieve our vision of:
The team finished on the same note 'An Agile, Adaptable and Capable Royal Air Force.’
The questions ranged over a wide selection, a few only are mention here; such as was the Harrier VTOL type aircraft (bottom of page) being phased out? Simon responded that the requirements had changed since the “cold” war with Russia, especially in the German zone where armies of either side were in close proximity hence having aircraft near the conflict zone was important, whilst in general this pattern is not the present case. But he went on to say in the not too distant future the replacement will be in service, this is the Joint Combat Aircraft STOVL F35 (above and more below) being built by the Lockheed Martin Aircraft Company due in service about 2012.
A question related to RAF manpower (or should it be person power) in the last 20 odd years the total had been reduced by about 50% but each aircraft was well able to deliver a punch well in excess of this reduction
Ken Robinson asked about the life of aircraft of transport aircraft and the Hercules (left) was quoted as about forty years, indeed the Nimrod R1 is a development of the Comet Aircraft flying in the late 50’s! It was mentioned that sum of the costs to supply a single Typhoon approached £65 million and a Globemaster about £250 million.
The vote of thanks was given by Peter Stoddart, he served many years ago in the RAF, was it indeed fifty? and said that the advances in technology has been outstanding and wondered if those guys from way back could have coped. He then thanked on behalf of the Club the RAF presentation team for their professional presentation, including the behind screen magic of Andy Cole who seemed to put graphic answers to all the questions posed almost before the questioner had finished, a most inspiring afternoon, so thanks to all and the membership responded with admirable applause.
The RAF Presentation Team
Wing Commander Simon Firth, Flight Lieutenant Jackie Hawthornwaite
and Senior Aircraftman Andy Cole.
Aircraft photographs are © Crown copyright with thanks - more info please see www.raf.mod.uk
Footnote ;- The Joint Strike Fighter
Engines: Pratt & Whitney F-135 turbofan Thrust: 37,000lbs Max speed: 1.8 Mach Length: 15.4m Max altitude: 17,000 metres Span: 10.67m Aircrew: 1
The Joint Strike Fighter, which is being built by Lockheed Martin as the F35, will be known in UK service as the Joint Combat Aircraft and is planned to replace the RAF and RN’s Harriers. Although Lockheed Martin is the prime contractor, the UK is a Level 1 partner with the US and a number of British companies, including BAE Systems and Rolls-Royce, will have extensive involvement in building and developing the aircraft. The UK version, the F35B, will be a stealthy, multi-role, all-weather, day & night, fighter/attack air system, designed to operate as a Short Take-off and Vertically Land (STOVL) aircraft from land bases and from the next generation of aircraft carriers.
Early production aircraft will be powered by a Pratt and Whitney F-135 turbofan engine, but there are plans for subsequent aircraft to be offered with a choice of an interchangeable F-136 engine being developed by the General Electric / Rolls Royce Fighter Engine Team. Vertical lift and hover will be achieved by means of a Rolls-Royce developed lift-fan system. Doors installed above and below the vertical fan open as the fan powers up to provide vertical lift. This vertical lift is used in conjunction with the main engine exhaust nozzle at the rear of the aircraft, which swivels down from the horizontal to provide the required lift.
The Joint Strike Fighter will place the RAF at the forefront of fighter technology and will give it a true multi-role air system that will surpass the majority of other weapons systems in production today, or envisaged in the foreseeable future. Coupled with the Typhoon aircraft, JCA will keep the RAF at the cutting edge of military aviation.
The F-35 Joint Strike Fighter - Lightning II, built by Lockheed Martin, takes off for its first flight on Joint Reserve Base Fort Worth, Texas, Dec. 15, 2006, during a test of the aircraft's initial capability. The U.S. Defense Department and eight allied countries have contracted Lockheed Martin as part of the JSF program, which was designed to maximize efficiency and minimize the life cycle, costs of a future multi-role fighter jet. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class D. Keith Simmons -released)
Harrier VTOL
