Netherlands Air Force (if Ric got his way ;) )

KyleG
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Posts: 204

Netherlands Air Force (if Ric got his way ;) ) May 4, 2015 13:11:48 GMT -5

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Post by KyleG on May 4, 2015 13:11:48 GMT -5

Say the plan to purchase the F-35 was scrapped, the NAF would still need to find a replacement aircraft for their aging F-16s.

In addition, the NAF also has an aging transport fleet (C-130H), refuelling fleet (KDC-10) as well as no maritime patrol capability.

Candidates for F-16 replacement;

Eurofighter Typhoon - commonality with other EU nations, low RCS design, advanced avionics, fairly large payload, more focused as air-air rather than multirole, expensive (only slightly cheaper than F-35), probe and drogue refuelling, AESA radar still in development

Dassault Rafale - commonality with France, more hardpoints than Typhoon, AESA radar available, advanced ECM, low RCS design, probe and drogue refuelling, currently certified mainly for French weapons (certification of current NL weapons would cost even more money)

Saab Gripen NG - commonality with Sweden (with others potentially in the future (Switzerland, Poland etc)), cheaper to buy and fly than other competitors, AESA radar, low RCS design, compatible with mostly all NATO weapons, relatively easy to maintain and support, lowest wing loading, probe and drogue refuelling, single engine (although it is a reliable engine), 10 hardpoints (3 less than Typhoon, 4 less than Rafale)

Boeing F-15SE - stealthy design, internal and external weapons, basic design very well proven, AESA radar, boom refuelled, still very much on the drawing board (only a demonstrator built), no orders

Boeing F-18E/F Super Hornet - proven design, commonality with US/Australia, AESA radar, reduced RCS design, designed as a naval fighter (extra weight for things not needed by RNLAF), slightly older than other competitors, probe and drogue refuelling

Newer Block F-16s - proven design, no (or very little) retraining needed, very small improvement in capability for a large cost

Now, I shall leave this as I write up the next part. By the end, I should have compiled a cost effective, capable air force for the Netherlands

KyleG
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Posts: 204

Netherlands Air Force (if Ric got his way ;) ) May 4, 2015 14:29:51 GMT -5

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Post by KyleG on May 4, 2015 14:29:51 GMT -5

So, onto tankers. This is assuming the Netherlands pursues an independent fleet rather than sharing with other nations in NATO (which would be difficult if a probe and drogue system is needed)

Airbus A330MRTT - commonality with UK/Australia/potential other EU buyers, can be fitted with probe and drogue system instead of boom (to suit some future fighter ideas), supports EU companies

Boeing KC-46 - commonality with USAF, mainly designed for boom refuelling, still in development

I'm easily in favour of the A330 for this one

KyleG
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Posts: 204

Netherlands Air Force (if Ric got his way ;) ) May 4, 2015 15:40:10 GMT -5

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Post by KyleG on May 4, 2015 15:40:10 GMT -5

Time for transports. The Netherlands AF currently has C-130H with glass cockpits, these are still good for a while, but eventually will need an upgrade.

Candidates:

Lockheed C-130J - C-130J-30 model would offer more payload, minimal retraining needed, could operate along with current C-130Hs without as much penalty, commonality with many other nations, proven design, much cheaper, also has capability to be fitted with probe/drogue refuelling pods

Airbus A400M - much larger payload, longer range, commonality with Germany/France/UK, expensive, refuelling equipment still on drawing board

CASA C-295 - relatively cheap, commonality with some other NATO countries, small payload

Alenia C-27J - higher payload than C-295, used by Italy, expensive (only about $10m less than C-130J)

Embraer KC-390 - payload between A400M and C-130, cost also in between, unproven, in development

Kawasaki C-2 - expensive considering payload, in development

This is quite a hard choice, but as a good all rounder for a reasonable price, and considering the C-130H's pre-existing service with the RNLAF, I'd pick the C-130J

Last Edit: May 4, 2015 15:42:34 GMT -5 by KyleG

KyleG
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Posts: 204

Netherlands Air Force (if Ric got his way ;) ) May 4, 2015 19:08:32 GMT -5

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Post by KyleG on May 4, 2015 19:08:32 GMT -5

The Netherlands previously had a fleet of P-3 Orions for MP, but these were sold a few years ago. There are a fair few MPA options on the market or in devlopment, but realistically, I've narrowed it down to two which are already in full production and are in service with multiple countries.

Boeing P-8 Poseidon - based on 737 (very good maintenance, spares etc costs), commonality with USAF and other potential NATO buyers, weapons bay, boom refuelled, very expensive

Airbus Military CASA C-295MPA - cheap (3 295s for one P-8), MP electronics can be removed fairly easily and the aircraft can be used for transport (2 roles for the price of one), probe and drogue refuelling system, no weapons bay (but hardpoints can be fitted), poor range compared to P-8 (but for the Netherlands' needs this is not as relevant)

For the Netherlands at least, the C-295MPA seems to be more than capable for their needs and at a much lower cost than the P-8. I'd go for the C-295.

KyleG
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Posts: 204

Netherlands Air Force (if Ric got his way ;) ) May 7, 2015 14:06:54 GMT -5

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Post by KyleG on May 7, 2015 14:06:54 GMT -5

So, I've mulled over it for a few days, here's what I can come up with

48x Saab Gripen NG (42 single seat, 6 twin seat)

4x A330MRTT (as in the current real world plan shared with Poland and Norway. These are capable of both boom and probe refuelling so are compatible with Gripen)

4x C-130J-30 (like-for-like replacement of current C-130s over a gradual period)

6x C-295MPA (can supplement transports if needed)

AH-64Ds to be replaced by equivalent amount of AH-64Es once they have reached the end of service

AW159 Wildcat to replace NH90 (as the title says, if Ric got his way

)

CH-47F Chinook orders/deliveries to continue

EC725 to replace AS532s

4 MQ-9 Reapers (as currently intended)

This would leave the RNLAF with;

A capable, cost effective multirole fighter (Gripen) in numbers that would not be possible with the cost of the Typhoon/Rafale/F-35.

Cost effective refuelling solution that promotes interoperability between nations.

A combat proven transport fleet that will be familiar to existing crews but also more efficient.

Maritime patrol capability which the RNLAF has lacked since the P-3s were sold.

4 helicopter fleet, AW159 for seaborne deployment, EC725 for medium lift and battlefield transport, CH-47 for heavy lift and AH-64D/E for attack and close air support

Unmanned aerial recon/strike platform that is already successfully employed by other NATO allies.

Hope you enjoyed reading

Last Edit: May 7, 2015 14:07:58 GMT -5 by KyleG

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Netherlands Air Force (if Ric got his way ;) )

Post by KyleG on May 4, 2015 13:11:48 GMT -5

Post by KyleG on May 4, 2015 14:29:51 GMT -5

Post by KyleG on May 4, 2015 15:40:10 GMT -5

Post by KyleG on May 4, 2015 19:08:32 GMT -5

Post by KyleG on May 7, 2015 14:06:54 GMT -5

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