Could BAC have done more in 63 / 64 to save TSR2

To purpose of this thread is to consider if anything more could have been done in late 63 / early 64 to save the TSR2 project from the expected defence cuts following the election of a Wilson Government.

The objective would be to significantly cap the cost of the project by both improving the efficiency of the project and reducing its risk. With the power of hindsight I would have addressed the following key issues in the project.

1: The communication issues between the Vickers and English Electric teams.
2: Cost of developing the new avionics.
3: Reducing the unit cost of the aircraft.
4: Obtaining political support from America.

1: The communication issues between the Vickers and English Electric teams.

I would address this by accepting that this is an English Electric aircraft and so place the project under English Electric Management, with Vickers taking a subcontractor role in the project. Vickers management team would take over the lead on the Concorde project.

2: Cost of developing new Avionics and 4: Obtaining political support from America.

The prototype showed the capability of the airframe and later the engines, also towards the end I understand that a number of high speed hands off terrain following runs were made across the peak district. However they were still some way from having a service ready aircraft.

To short cut the Avionics development I would have taken the avionics sweet from the Grumman A6 intruder which was just entering service with the US Navy, if possible integrating it with the TSR2 auto pilot to enable to auto terrain follow. This would reduce the risk by taking a largely off the shelf solution and also give us a clear upgrade path. Deal would also include an agreement with Grumman to assist BAC in marketing the TSR2 in return for sharing manufacture of export airframes. This would have the advantage of the aircraft receiving the support of the “pro” Grumman and US Navy Congressman and Senators and so re open the Australian Market and potentially the US market as an alternative to the F111 should that hit problems.

3: Reduce the unit cost of aircraft.

Simplest way to do this is to build more aircraft, potential exports would be limited to Australia at this stage only alter with the F111 problems would there be a potential to repeat the Canberra sales.

However the RAF has a requirement for a new Air Defence Fighter to replace the Lightening and the resulting gap left by the 57 White Paper. The solution would be met by using the TSR2 airframe with a revised forward fuselage (raised fighter style cockpit and nose) and F4 avionics and weapon systems (2 Aden + Sidewinder, Sparrow). The bomb bay would be substituted for an internal fuel tank.

Certainly accepting that the TSR2 would not be a dog fighter but the strategy is inline with the strategy then being followed for the F111 in the US. The TSR2 would have offered the RAF, super cruise, exceptional range, powerful radar and fire power, such an aircraft would have met the RAF need to intercept Soviet Bombers over the North Sea and Iceland Gap before they could release stand off weapons.

I believe the above actions would have made the cancellation of the TSR2 agreed by the cabinet in 64 (although announcement delayed until 65) impossible for the following reasons.

1: The adoption of largely off the shelf avionics would have significantly reduced the risk of the projects success and significantly increased the ability of BAC to deliver to budget.

2: The project management being solely the hands of English Electric management team would have streamlined the testing and development process by reducing the communication bottlenecks and business rivalries within the project.

3: Support of American Manufacturers and Politicians would have countered any pressure from the F111 camp to link the TSR2 cancellation with continued US support for UK economy.

4: The adoption of the TSR2 airframe as the basis for the UK’s Air Defence’s would have meant that cancellation would have even more far reaching impacts on the UK defence plans and capabilities.

The successful delivery of the above would have meant that the RAF would have had a highly capable strike and air defence platform, which like the F111 would have been feared by the Soviet Union.

The use of A6 / F4 electronics would have meant that the RAF would have an available and affordable upgrade path. Logical follow on Upgrades with A6E and F14 avionics would have meant that during the Falklands emergency the RAF could have had the ability to deliver laser guided munitions at above the Argentines Roland’s ceiling, with Phoenix armed escorts able to keep the Argentine Mirages on the ground.

Would then Britain’s first military response to the Falklands emergency been the TSR2’s carrying out an F111 Tripoli like strike against Buenos Aires from Ascension Island.