Wonder if they’re going to take the whole island apart now? would this be the best way to access necessary spaces to install propulsion systems?

I agree T45 7&8 should be built but time is running out! Any cost savings from building them will be lost the current batch is worked through.

I think 7&8 if it ever happened should act as a Batch 3 Type22 replacement with added command and control facilities. They should also fit the Harpoon cells to them and maybe even some strike length VLS cells.

Hull plug with flag facilities, and more vls cells, now where have I had this conversation before?

Cost savings from economies of scale will be long gone by the time additional T45s could be ordered, the yards will all be busy with CVF so the window of opportunity will of gone, stupid government.

Eurocopter and UK MoD sign contract for RAF Puma Life Extension Programme

September 29, 2009

Eurocopter and United Kingdom’s Ministry of Defence Eurocopter UK and the British Ministry of Defence signed a contract on September 18 for the Life Extension Programme for 28 of the Royal Air Force’s fleet of Puma Mk1 helicopters.

The upgraded Pumas, which will be designated Puma HC Mk2, will consequently offer significantly enhanced performance and operational capabilities, thus being capable of remaining in service until at least 2022. The contract is valued at ₤220 million (€250 million) and is due to be completed by December 2014.

The programme is based on comprehensive upgrades, including new Turbomeca Makila 1A1 engines, a glass cockpit, new communications, navigation and defensive systems, and a digital autopilot. The Puma HC Mk2’s performance and payload will be substantially increased, particularly in hot and high conditions.

As a key pillar of the Royal Air Force’s fleet of medium lift helicopters, Puma continues to play a major role in operational theatres, delivering very high operational readiness levels.

Eurocopter CEO Lutz Bertling commented, “This contract represents an important new phase in Eurocopter’s long lasting and maturing relationship with the UK Ministry of Defence. We will bring to this programme our extensive experience in upgrading and enhancing helicopters, and in adapting them to the new scenarios and challenges arising from present and future deployment.”

Markus Steinke, Managing Director of Eurocopter UK, added, “As the British pillar of the Eurocopter Group, we are proud to sign this major contract strengthening our industrial expansion in the UK even more and enabling us to develop a widening partnership with the MoD, also in view of forthcoming new helicopter programmes such as Future Medium Helicopter (FMH).”sign Contract for Royal Air Force Puma Life Extension Programme

http://www.shephard.co.uk/news/4037/eurocopter-and-uk-mod-sign-contract-for-raf-puma-life-extension-programme/

Only a Brit can turn around something that contributed to their continued survival as a nation to helping pull the US out of recession. If it where not for lend leas and a whole host of American help you would be speaking German right now and your overseas posessions would have been split up between Germany and America. Peddle that crap off to the ignorant, not me.

Wow you really are quite obnoxious.

Munitions sales to the British DID help to pull the US out of the depression, this is a fact.

As for talking German do me a favour, Germany’s chances of successfully invading Britain were practically non existent, the best they could hope is to starve the UK into submission and force humiliating surrender terms I hardly think a change of language would be included in those terms.

As far as trolls go you seem to take a delight in posting comment designed to try and irritate those who don’t agree with you, is that not a definition of trolling?

Sounds pretty damn close to me.

I agree that we should move this any further discussion over to the FSC thread, but I’ll just say that I don’t think the T45 is an ugly ship, personally I think its quite ‘strikeing’ certainly not the prettiest but it looks damn impressive.

Its exactly the same as delaying CVF for 12 months or more, the upfront cost per financial year will be lower, but the total cost will be higher because its spread over a longer period of time.

Moronic decision.

Yeah what Swerve said, I think this whole fascination with PFI in a bit of a con really.