As already pointed out no evidence of that. All the footage from Italy show an air defence fit of 4 x AMRAAM and 4 x ASRAAM, two fuel tanks and nothing on the centre-line. All of the Typhoons are FGR4s, so there is the option for a mix if required.

I can’t see Libya attempting to launch any fixed wing missions, but they might consider operating helos?

TJ

All I’ve seen on TV is RAF Typhoons armed with 4 x AMRAAM, 4 x ASRAAM and 2 x drop tanks & RAF Tornados armed with 2 x Storm Shadows that were taking off from RAF Marham and enroute to Libya. I believe the Tonkas have been, or are, operating out of southern Italy with ALARM, Brimstone, LGBs and Paveway IVs. Probably even with Raptor recce pods too.

Unlike Iraq and Afghanistan, the RAF/MoD don’t seem to want to show too much footage to the public which is of course, understandable.

If Libya consider operating helos it’ll probably be to get a bunch of Gaddafi’s fighters and equipment from A to B in a hurry if things start to get desperate, maybe then we’ll see some fixed wing aircraft to protect them. Although that’d be like wearing a body suit made of fresh meat and going to pick a fight with a bunch of Lions that haven’t been fed for a couple of weeks. Especially where Typhoons and Rafales are.

I think the only way Gaddafi would launch his fixed wing aircraft is when the end game is near, a last attempt to try and have a fighting chance. Thats if his aircraft haven’t been detroyed on the ground already. Then again he must have some aircraft left if no-fly zones are in place.

Reported on BBC News: The Tomahawk that hit Gaddafi’s compound was British. Further discussions are going in the House of Commons about the UK’s military matters. Nothing much mentioned the public needs to know.

The RAF has flown “dozens” today(?).

And RT (Russia Today) has stated that the ‘No-Fly Zones in Libya is insane.’ Well I’ve got one word for Russia, and thats ‘Georgia’.

Now, waiting for more to post.

Just seen on ITV News for the first time, for me anyway, RAF Tornados taking off from their bases, at night. Very little light apart from the aircrafts reheat & lights, but did look armed to the teeth with Storm Shadows and think I seen a Tonka with a green(ish) looking thing under its belly, I believe LGBs of some sort. Are they the same ones you seen, Fedaykin?

Looks like they’ll probably being heading straight out to their targets if they headed out not so long ago. Expect to hear reports about them in the coming hours.

Good luck to them, be safe.
Tally-ho old boy.

Sky News are reporting that RAF Tornados have landed at Cyprus, apparantly having flown out of Marham earlier today. This would seem to fit with reports that 9 Squadron and 31 Squadron were being prepared soon after resolution 1973/2011 was passed.

Cyprus? Why Cyprus when Italy has offered their air bases? That means the RAF would’ve had to pass or near by Italy to get there, doesn’t make much sense to operate out of Cyprus when Italy have offered their bases.

If they left the UK, RAF Marham, earlier today then they must be due to land in Italy any time now. Also, BBC reports that RAF Lossiemouth could be involved too.

BBC News: Italian Eurofighters have been deployed near air bases.

BBC News: Gaddafi’s air force has been reported to be attacking rebel targets on the ground not so long ago. Exactly when they took place is unclear.

Again, reports that British and French aircraft will be ready in a matter of hours. (I think I might of heard in the next hour but not 100% sure. Probably said the next few hours, didn’t quite catch what was said). Also, other reports saying that the US will probably not be involved in the initial strikes.

My guess is the British and French aircraft left their countries some time ago, the British seemed to refuse to comment about this fearing Gaddafi would be alarmed. I guess we’ll find out really soon.

From the BBC: British aircraft – I believe Tornados and Typhoons – would be able to perform strikes in a matter of hours.

Nothing has been said about exactly they are. They’re probably three quarters the way there, who knows.

And I think I caught something about one of the Arab countries participating will be the UAE. But I cannot confirm that as of yet.

The way I read the Resolution, ‘all necessary measures’ the RN could use Brimstone against tanks on the ground if they were threatening civilians.

How exactly could they use Brimstone? They don’t even have aircraft to operate it let alone the missile. The RAF on the other hand, have both.

Try to keep it a military aviation discussion chaps. 😉

A decision on a no-fly zone to be made at 10pm GMT, not at UN time I said earlier…Whatever that mean’t. 😀

Libya crisis: Britain, France and US line up for airstrikes against Gaddafi

Britain, France and the US, along with several Arab countries, are to join forces to throw a protective ring around the Libyan rebel stronghold of Benghazi as soon as a UN security council vote on military action is authorised, according to security council sources.

A source at UN headquarters in New York said military forces could be deployed soon after a new security council resolution calling for states to protect civilians by halting attacks by Muammar Gaddafi’s forces by air, land and sea.

The resolution would impose a no-fly zone over Libya – but a no-fly zone was no longer enough, the source said. “The resolution authorises air strikes against tank columns advancing on Benghazi or engaging naval ships bombarding Benghazi,” he said.

More here: http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2011/mar/17/libya-no-fly-zone-united-nations

RAF prepares to help impose no-fly zone over Libya

RAF ground attack aircraft are ready to help impose a no-fly zone over Libya as ministers ordered defence chiefs to finalise plans enabling Britain to take part immediately in military action against forces loyal to Colonel Gaddafi.

Tornado all-weather attack aircraft, equipped with precision weapons, were almost certain to be the first British assets used in any military operation, officials said. They are based at RAF Lossiemouth in Scotland and RAF Marham in Norfolk.

Though due to phased out under the government’s defence their performance has been tested in operations over decades. It was not immediately clear whether they would fly from a military base in southern France or from RAF Akrotiri, in one of Britain’s sovereign base areas in Cyprus.

It was also unclear whether Eurofighter Typhoons would take part in an operation. Britain has two ships off the Libyan coast, and Chinook helicopters and early-warning aircraft equipped with long-range radar based in Malta, but would need permission from the Maltese government to use them in action over Libya.

More here: http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/2011/mar/17/raf-no-fly-zone-libya

If no-fly zones are imposed and the RAF send in their Tornados to destroy targets on the ground if the need arises. If the need arises to take out aircraft in the air, you’ll need the Typhoons to do that. C’mon Guardian use your brain cells, you’re mean’t to know these things. :rolleyes: Eeesh!

@rayrubik. Too right. If anything its just going to p**s Gaddafi off even more.

Again Breaking news from the BBC: ‘Any foreign military intervention, Gaddafi’s forces will respond by attacking military AND civilian targets.’ (Something across those lines.)

It kind of shows Gaddafi’s and his croonies their mentality…

@Giblets. RSAF, if I remember correctly, has 18 Typhoons of which I believe are fully combat ready. (Off topic for a second; their remaining Typhoons are to be manufactured here in the UK rather than in Saudi Arabia but the facilities there that were mean’t to produce the Saudi Typhoons is to remain open to upgrade them in the future. Can’t remember exactly what aviation magazine this was in.)

According to the BBC news an hour or so ago, two Arab countries would support and, I think, would actually take part if the no-fly zones are imposed, but those two Arab countries were not named.