A400M off Dover

[FGR2]

An A400M is flying up and down the coast between Dover and Ramsgate at 500feet. Don’t know whether this is a Search and Rescue or a patrol, but guessing this has something to do with the illegal immigrant crossings.

[Maccyd]

Yep, still patroling at c.500ft. Just heard it confirmed on LBC that this is regarding the small boats.
Photo opportunity for Preti Patel. Odious woman that she is.

[Bill16STN]

I'd reckon it's our wonderful Government "being seen to be doing something" to placate the incensed Daily Fail readers, otherwise why use a very expensive airplane when they have some cost effective drones that they have been regularly using?

Screenshot from Freedar...
Screenshot 2020-08-10 at 11.36.50 by Richard Billing, on Flickr

[FGR2]

Probably a show of seriousness as well, before we have just sent a drone or light aircraft. Throwing a military asset might show France we are taking this more seriously now and that they need to step up their patrols their side as well.

[LN Strike Eagle]

So pathetic. What a stupid country this has become.

[T_J]

RAF Atlas Flies To Support Channel Border Force Operations

The MOD last week received a formal request from the Home Office to support UK Border Force in the Dover Straits, where migrants have been attempting to enter the UK.

https://www.forces.net/news/raf-atlas-f ... operations

Good use of such an asset and good crew training. The A400M has a secondary maritime / maritime radar reconnaissance and search and rescue role.

https://www.raf.mod.uk/our-organisation ... coldstare/

[FGR2]

Snake47 is doing circuits over Dover and Folkestone at the moment.

[XP282]

So pathetic. What a stupid country this has become.

Why do you think that? Not trying to be argumentative... its a genuine question!

[Bill16STN]

Snake47 is doing circuits over Dover and Folkestone at the moment.

at 18,000 feet - not going to spot too many inflatables from there?

[Mictheslik]

Snake47 is doing circuits over Dover and Folkestone at the moment.

at 18,000 feet - not going to spot too many inflatables from there?

On the contrary, probably more likely to spot them than an A400 at 500ft!

[Bill16STN]

On the contrary, probably more likely to spot them than an A400 at 500ft!

Now 18,000ft over Dungeness & heading away from the "invasion beaches"?

[T_J]

Snake47 is doing circuits over Dover and Folkestone at the moment.

at 18,000 feet - not going to spot too many inflatables from there?

It carries electro optical sensors. Note the ball turret underbelly. Pic at following link.

https://www.raf.mod.uk/aircraft/shadow-r1/

Featuring a L-3 Wescam MX-15 electro-optical/infrared (EO/IR) sensor payload, satellite communications equipment, as well as up to three onboard operators, the aircraft can also be integrated with Raytheon’s SeaVue radar to provide a maritime patrol capability, if retained for longer durations.

https://www.airforce-technology.com/new ... month-end/

[Bill16STN]

So well equipped for saving lives at sea then?

[Brevet Cable]

Note the ball turret underbelly.

Unfortunately it's the wrong type of ball turret........

[Bill16STN]

Note the ball turret underbelly.

Unfortunately it's the wrong type of ball turret........

Please let us know, in your considered opinion what would be the right type of ball turret?

[5944]

So well equipped for saving lives at sea then?

About as well equipped as an A400M.

[westie38]

Note the ball turret underbelly.

Unfortunately it's the wrong type of ball turret........

Please let us know, in your considered opinion what would be the right type of ball turret?

B17 at a guess?

[jalfrezi]

Right guys, this post is heading in the wrong direction. Stick to the facts, we don't want this turning into a UKIP far right post.

[Bill16STN]

Right guys, this post is heading in the wrong direction. Stick to the facts, we don't want this turning into a UKIP far right post.

Thanks jalfrezi!

[Brevet Cable]

...we don't want this turning into a UKIP far right post.

Can't be me, then....you only have to read the various politics threads to know I loath UKIP.

Maybe some posters on here need to get a sense of humour instead of defaulting to 'offended' mode.

And before I get accused of posting off-topic...
One of the MCA UAVs was up over the Dover Straits early this morning, briefly flagged up on the likes of ADS-B Exchange before disappearing ( nothing new there )

The RAF's presence there is effectively a case of being seen to be doing something given the assets HMCG/MCA have.

[jalfrezi]

Hypothetically, just cos you loathe UKIP doesn't mean you may not agree with them on some things. You can be left wing and nationalist, they're not mutually exclusive.

Personally, I wasn't offended, I just though the ball turret reference was a bit of a crass thing to say and wanted to nip the direction of the thread in the bud.

[Brevet Cable]

Personally, I wasn't offended

I didn't mean you.

Meanwhile, noticeable by their absence in the area today are the RAF.

[aspotternot]

I believe there was a Poseidon in the area for a few hours early this afternoon? Gone home now.

[Big Eric]

That's correct, one of the RAF Poseidons from Kinloss (ZP802) was doing low level surveillance for a couple of hours over the English Channel just like what the A400M was doing. Politics got in the way so the others didn't notice!

[Bill16STN]

Personally, I wasn't offended

I didn't mean you.

Meanwhile, noticeable by their absence in the area today are the RAF.

I’d not be surprised if he meant me?
That’s fine, no problem.
I have a very good sense of humour, you don’t get to my age without one!
However, life has taught me that there are some things that you do not joke about & some behaviours that should not be tolerated under any circumstance.

Sorry if you thought I was easily offended