§ Mr. GrayTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many air-to-air refuelling probes have been purchased for the C130J; and how many aeroplanes will be operational by 1 January 2002. [15141]
§ Dr. MoonieNineteen air-to-air refuelling probes have been purchased for the C130J fleet. Full operational air-to-air refuelling capability is planned for late 2002. This will be achieved incrementally in accordance with an agreed Flight Clearance programme
§ Mr. GrayTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence what assessment he has made of the Defensive Aids Suite capabilities on the C130K Hercules aircraft; how it compares with the US equivalent; and what plans he has to install it on the C130J. [15223]
§ Dr. MoonieThe capability of the C130K Defensive Aids Suite was assessed as part of the installation development and acceptance programme, based on system requirements arising from detailed threat and countermeasure evaluation. The C130K Defensive Aids Suite will not be fitted to the C130J as Lockheed Martin is currently working to finalise an installation concept for a higher performance defensive system.
The capabilities of systems operated on US aircraft are a matter for the US authorities.
§ Mr. GrayTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence what plans he has to acquire a secure communications system for the C130J. [15224]
§ Dr. MoonieThe operational advantages of secure communications systems are well recognised and the capability is already fitted to some aircraft and others are due to be fitted. As with any defence equipment capability, decisions have to be made about priorities. A secure communications capability is not currently planned to be fitted to the Hercules C130J aircraft as we have higher operational priorities
§ Mr. GrayTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence what assessment he has made of(a) the fulfilment by Lockheed Martin of the terms and conditions of the contract for the supply of C130J spares and (b) the likelihood that the terms of that contract provide sufficient spares support to achieve 80 per cent. serviceability of the aircraft once fully trained crews are available. [15225]
373W
§ Dr. MoonieLockheed Martin is currently meeting the terms and conditions of the contract for the supply of C130J spares.
The generation of serviceable C130J aircraft is not solely dependent on spares supplied by Lockheed Martin but also on the provision of spares from other sources and a number of other factors.
§ Mr. GrayTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence until what date a Defensive Aid Suite was designated as essential for deployments of Hercules aircraft in the middle east; and for what reason this designation was downgraded to desirable. [15226]
§ Mr. IngramI am withholding details about the defensive measures associated with aircraft deployments in accordance with Exemption la of the Code of Practice on Access to Government Information.
§ Mr. GrayTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence when 16 Air Assault Brigade last exercised with Hercules aircraft; and if he will make a statement. [15230]
§ Mr. Ingram16 Air Assault Brigade last exercised with Hercules aircraft during Exercise Eagles Eye—an aviation battlegroup exercise that took place between 29 October and 9 November 2001. One Hercules aircraft supported the exercise on the morning of Friday 2 November 2001.
§ Mr. GrayTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many(a) personnel and (b) tonnes of freight have been carried by Hercules aircraft from RAF Lyneham in the last 12 months. [15140]
§ Mr. IngramIn the last 12 months Hercules aircraft have carried(a) 38,721 personnel and (b) 10,144 tonnes of freight to and from RAF Lyneham.
§ Mr. GrayTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list the operations upon which Hercules aircraft have been deployed over the last 12 months; and what assessment he has made of the performance of(a) the aircraft and (b) service personnel of RAF Lyneham. [15139]
§ Mr. IngramThe operations upon which Hercules aircraft have been deployed over the last 12 months are: Operation Agricola, Operation Banner, Operation Basilica, Operation Bolton, Operation Deliberate Forge, Operation Palatine, Operation Warden, Operation Engadine, Operation Silkman, Operation Contravene, Operation Resinate North, Operation Resinate South,
Medical officers Dental officers Year Intake Trained outflow Net difference Intake Trained outflow Net difference 2000–01 68 59 9 22 17 5 1999–2000 76 71 5 19 26 -7 1998–99 71 75 -4 30 25 5 1997–98 62 83 -21 16 23 -7 1996–97 86 160 -74 19 39 -20 1995–96 64 170 -106 14 37 -23 1994–95 51 120 -69 13 37 -24 1993–94 35 78 -43 19 34 -15 1992–93 72 80 -8 25 31 -6 Notes:
1. The figures in the table include transfers between the services, re-entrants and transfers from medical specialties to dentistry.
2. It is not possible to identify the exact intake dates of army medical and dental officers. The Army intake figures included in the table have been calculated by taking the difference in strengths at the beginning and the end of the year plus the outflow.
3. The intake figures comprise former medical and dental cadets and, in the RAF, former bursars plus direct entrant qualified doctors and dentists.
374WFalkland Islands, Operation Bessemer and Operation Veritas. Both the Hercules C130J and C130K have consistently met operational requirements. Personnel at RAF Lyneham have continued to perform to the very high standards typical of the armed services.
§ Mr. GrayTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the serviceability in percentage terms is of the RAF fleet of Hercules(a) C130Hon. and (b) C130J; and if he will make a statement outlining the restricting factors on performance. [15138]
§ Mr. IngramIn answering this question it has been assumed that C130H should read C130K.
In performance terms, the operational performance, or operability, of the C130J, when compared to the C 130K, is as follows:
- Range (without external fuel tanks): 15 per cent. further
- Operating ceiling: 20 per cent. higher
- Normal speed: 13 per cent. faster
- Fuel economy at operating ceiling: 20 per cent. better
- Field length at take off: 30 per cent. less required
- Field length at landing: 10 per cent. less required
- Much reduced running costs.
Although in all other respects the two aircraft have similar levels of performance, there are at present certain temporary limitations on the C130J's operation. These issues are being addressed and operational clearances will proceed incrementally. Full clearance is planned by the end of 2002.