Red Arrows to fly as a 7 ship for the 2026 season

[JasonT1981]

Looks like I will still see them 5 times this year despite them missing RIAT.

[JasonT1981]

7 Ship will continue until 2030

https://uk.news.yahoo.com/red-arrows-fly-just-seven-170600220.html

[angry turnip]

Old Engines  

The BAE Hawk T1 has a slightly modifed RR Adour engine which gave better performance for aerobatic manoeuvres over the standard engine, or at least I think I read that somewhere,yonks ago.

The more modern versions use the  Rolls-Royce Turbomeca Adour Mk. 951 turbofan, I would have thought the remaining  Reds aircraft could be upgraded.

Sky News maybe talking out of their Daily Mail, if you get my drift.

[angry turnip]

It appears to be a bit more than engine spares, it's a shortage of airframes which makes a bit more sense.
I believe there are some Hawk T1's in storage at or near RAF Shawbury in the midlands.

More here from BBC News website...   https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cj9p8rvl0d0o

[JasonT1981]

Reds have set off on their US tour today according to FB.

I question why, if they have dropped to 7 to preserve airframes and old engines, why would they instantly go on a US tour, covering many thousands of miles there and back as well as transits to US airshows.

I saw them twice at the weekend, Kings flypast was good with 4x F35s in formation with them. Cosford was my first chance to see their display this year, pretty much the same as every year but the "Cascade" to close the show was actually pretty good along with the double Goose this year.

[angry turnip]

I agree,seems rather contradictory to go all that way,the transits etc and back again.
To be honest I don`t think it`s to do with conserving the airframes and engines at all, I think it`s simply a cost cutting excercise and the MOD want the teams costs reduced.

The Hawk is still in production in several different versions,powered by various types of the Adour engine.
I think the RAF would be wise to retire the Reds T1/T1A`s at the end of this season,and re-equip with one of the more modern variants.
The team exist to promte the RAF and also the British Aerospace Industry, so it makes little sense to keep using the older model.Supposedly the T2 isn`t suitable for the Reds role,something about the different wing on the T2.Not sure if that is entirely accurate,but I recall reading something about it a while back.
Surely something could be worked out for the Reds to use a modern variant?

We don`t need to be buying any more US built aircraft for our military in my view.

[JasonT1981]

Red 10 did give an indication as to how the team will move forward.

This years 2 pilots that have been dropped from displays, will move onto the main team displays next season, and 2 new ones will come in for 2027 for  9 ship flypasts, then move to the team in 2028 etc.

At least that is how I understood it.

[rookie]

According to the team, the T.2 isn't as manoeuvrable as the T.1 for acrobatics, from what I heard, and it was because of the engine, not the airframe that was the issue. As to the dropped pilots, it's well known that the RAF is short of experienced frontline pilots and they seem to be stretch covering deployments etc. I think it's foolish for the reds to be away from home for an extended time during what is the airshow season within the UK. Also while in the US their schedule is jam packed back to back as it was the last time they went over in 2019. But I agree we shouldn't be relying on buying American aircraft.

[angry turnip]

Actually the biggest problem with the Hawk T2 is that the MOD only purchased 28 aircraft,so even if they were suitable for the Reds,taking at least ten or more likely 11 for the team,would only leave 17 for the Advanced Training Role. Production of the Hawk T2 ended in 2020, and it was really only a stop gap design for the RAF/RN.

The T2 variant features different weight distribution (being nose-heavy) which alters its handling characteristics, making it less than ideal for the precise, demanding manoeuvres flown in Red Arrows displays.
Its Rolls-Royce/Turbomeca Adour Mk 951 engine has been plagued with problems including fan failures, the T2 was never in contention to replace the Reds T1/T1A`s, I only mentioned it in passing,as some might think it was an obvious choice for a new aircraft for the team.The MOD want to replace the T2`s due to their poor reliablity.

I strongly suspect the MOD will go for the Boeing–Saab T-7 Red Hawk,to replace the Hawk T2`s.Possibly with BAE building them under license,and likely making expensive changes,as they often do.
I think the Reds will be wound up,sooner rather than later.

[JasonT1981]

I think they will go for the Boeing-SAAB T7 too. Though I personally would prefer the Kai T-50 Golden Eagle. Already proven as both a trainer and as a multi-ship display team aircraft. The Korean's fly it and they put on an amazing display.

M346 is another option, Freece Tricolori is moving to them and they are already proven in service with Italian Air Force as well as display capable.

Red Hawk still isn't that well proven compared to the other options.