Just to play Devil's advocate, "is the PC-12 Specter a tick in the box"?
Although I agree the PC-12 is a great bit of kit and I like that the Air Corps is getting them is it really something we can say is a tick in the box. Is it not just another standalone capability? How does the PC-12 Specter fit into a new AC or Army operating mode? How is it linked to the MRV and CRV units? And for what do we need ISTAR?
When we got the FR-172's there was a clear operational need, to monitor the border at the start of the troubles. 1971/72 was a time when a lot of xxxx could have hit the fan and we needed something to monitor the border. And to be fair the Americans still had the Cessna O-1A Bird Dog in service which had similar capabilities.
Now move forward almost 50yrs, we have a step-change in the size and performance of the aircraft and a sensor suite that could not be dreamed of back in 1972. So what gap in capability will they perform? To yet again fly along the border to can Covid-19 transgressors? That is what we have the GASU for. So what will their military role be? If it is to support EU Battlegroups then I would hope that in addition to the sensor suite that the aircraft are getting warning and protection systems. Even to fly them in Mali could risk them being shot at with a MANPAD.
The same goes for any piece of new kit, we should know why we need it and what changes could it bring to the operations of other parts of the DF.
Although I agree the PC-12 is a great bit of kit and I like that the Air Corps is getting them is it really something we can say is a tick in the box. Is it not just another standalone capability? How does the PC-12 Specter fit into a new AC or Army operating mode? How is it linked to the MRV and CRV units? And for what do we need ISTAR?
When we got the FR-172's there was a clear operational need, to monitor the border at the start of the troubles. 1971/72 was a time when a lot of xxxx could have hit the fan and we needed something to monitor the border. And to be fair the Americans still had the Cessna O-1A Bird Dog in service which had similar capabilities.
Now move forward almost 50yrs, we have a step-change in the size and performance of the aircraft and a sensor suite that could not be dreamed of back in 1972. So what gap in capability will they perform? To yet again fly along the border to can Covid-19 transgressors? That is what we have the GASU for. So what will their military role be? If it is to support EU Battlegroups then I would hope that in addition to the sensor suite that the aircraft are getting warning and protection systems. Even to fly them in Mali could risk them being shot at with a MANPAD.
The same goes for any piece of new kit, we should know why we need it and what changes could it bring to the operations of other parts of the DF.
Comment