Posted on 11/25/2008 11:58:16 AM PST by pabianice
RADM Michael L. Holmes, Commander, Patrol and Reconnaissance Group, recently gave an interview to Seapower Magazine regarding the future of the US Navy’s Patrol and Reconnaissance squadrons. Holmes is responsible to the commander, Naval Air Forces, for manning, training and equipping the Maritime Patrol and Reconnaissance Force of seventeen patrol, special projects patrol, and fleet air reconnaissance squadrons. In his interview Holmes confirmed Navy planning despite an ever more threatened budget as detailed here in The Nav Log, and offered additional details.
Holmes noted that, while the P-8 is fully funded through 2013, “It can’t come a minute too soon, given the problems we’ve got with the old P-3.” He noted that there will have to be less than the current 12 VP squadrons (the Nav Log is predicting six plus the FRS). The EP-3E will not be replaced by a P-8 derivative, but rather, with the joint Army-Navy Aerial Common Sensor platform that has been having fits and starts since the EMB-145 was rejected as inadequate. Unmanned vehicles -- Broad Area Maritime Surveillance (BAMS) -- will, indeed, replace the lion’s share of long-range surveillance for both anti-submarine warfare and electronic intelligence. ASW itself will remain VP’s core mission despite patrol aviation now spending most of its time over land in support of the war on terror. And Holmes insists that the P-8 will not be replaced any time soon with a UAV because of the complexity of VP missions and the aircraft’s requirement to carry a large load of ordnance.
Holmes expanded upon new ways of doing the job. These include use of the new Mk54 lightweight torpedo, which will be delivered from high altitude as a modified glide bomb to both keep the aircraft from detection as well as to save on airframe wear at low altitudes. OPNAV (the Office of the Chief of Naval Operations) is trying to find the money to fund a high-altitude torpedo to drop from 20,000 feet. The Navy is also at work making sonobuoys with GPS, allowing instant location of a contact. Also in the works is a real-time link between the bouy’s GPS location and the torpedo’s guidance. Sonobouys will also be active, for the most part, because passive detection of a 4th generation diesel-electric sub on batteries is nearly impossible.
With a new Congress already bragging about cutting the defense budget “by 25% to start,” how many of these plans become reality is, well, up in the air.
The P-3 is a workhorse, solid as a rock. The P-8 won't last nearly as long...........
Not because the Democrats are interested in saving money, but because they are actively trying to gut the military.
Thanks from a quondam squid!
Not because the Democrats are interested in saving money, but because they are actively trying to gut the military.
This kind of behavior invites challenges from Russia and China, e.g., plus attacks from terrorists.
I’ve only heard that 25% quote from Barney Frank. He isn’t exactly Congress.
Has anyone else said that? Or anyone else promote that cut?
Garde la Foi, mes amis! Nous nous sommes les sauveurs de la République! Maintenant et Toujours!
(Keep the Faith, my friends! We are the saviors of the Republic! Now and Forever!)
LonePalm, le Républicain du verre cassé (The Broken Glass Republican)
Those are their friends. Conservative, patriotic Americans (you and me) are their enemies.
VP1, '77-'80
My company that I work for makes “stuff” on the EP-3..............
Click on pic for past Navair pings.
Post or FReepmail me if you wish to be enlisted in or discharged from the Navair Pinglist.
The only requirement for inclusion in the Navair Pinglist is an interest in Naval Aviation.
This is a medium to low volume pinglist.
VP-50 1966 and 1967. Then onto VF-96.
ping
No, not on principal. But they also want their districts to bring home the slice of the Defense contracts. This is why you see them pushing stuff on the Pentagon they don’t want.
I see missile defense getting shredded, and the troop strength slashed, but I would bet the toys still get purchased if they are made in the right places.
But the article said “Congress” and I wanted to know if anyone besides Frank had made that sentiment known. I want to see how far that rot has spread.
Perceptive assessment. They'll cheer a 25% reduction that focusses on missile defense and active troop strength. But they won't touch anything that equates to pork.
Billions for pork. But not one red cent for national defense!
VP-4 ‘75-’78
VP-17 ‘78-’80
COMPATWINGPAC ‘80-84
For what the P-3’s mission is, and ESPECIALLY the EP-3, they were perfect! They need to be slow and low flying, where a 737 is not really useful...................
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.