The Eagle
SENIOR MODERATOR
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I hate to throw a spanner in the works.
Sometimes, its want of time Sir.
I think we have no reason to disbelieve @Khafee, however the news is a single man's account and the finances and other nitty gritties will need to be sorted out. The former are a huge challange to us at this point.
I dont think we will have upgrade of radar and other equipment fleet wide as the cost will shoot through the roof. I still think a better approach might be to get some new 16s and if possible older block 32/42s and upgrade those as well as our newer 52s to V standard. The radars from 52s could go down to the ADF fighters. If structural upgrade is available for A&Bs it should be strongly considered although when this occurs needs to be considered. For Example if we have 2000 hours on a plane will a structural upgrade allow us to extend it to 6000 hrs or only 4000hrs. So do we waste money by asking for structural upgrade earlier?
It maybe a more prudent approach. We do not want fleet wide upgarde barring structural one as most of our fleet of A&Bs is getting upto 40 years old. However the OCUs have a lot of aur frame life left on them.
Khafee made a case based upon circumstances, tid bits from around, progress & regional situation that deserved to be discussed for productivity, ideas and possible outcome.... and almost all of us agreed to give it a run.
The whole upgrade package wouldn't be done on the same time but will take a while. As you highlighted that let's utilize the remaining hours as well before going for upgrade to extend life; I am sure that we are looking at a setup taking months or an year for completion and during these times, existing fleet will fulfill responsibilities as designed. US$ 6 billion is initial suggested guesstimate to begin the work. I can be wrong on this account of "look like a leak" but I am afraid, can't go further.
MLU, SLEP & Viper upgrade; is the chatter & seems like that is where we are playing cards in timely manners in view of resources being poured in as well as the gap between 4 to 6 birds at a time.