The below Parliamentary question was asked by Angus Robertson on 2014-06-16.
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many (a) actual and (b) simulated flight hours pilots need to adjust from a fast jet with a heads-up-display to one with only a helmet mounted display.
Mr Philip Dunne
The adjustment from a fast jet aircraft with a heads-up display to one with a helmet mounted display cannot be quantified in hours as pilots are trained to operate the aircraft as a whole.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Angus Robertson on 2014-06-16.
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what the loudest decibel levels are that are produced by JSF 35B during operations aboard an aircraft carrier.
Mr Philip Dunne
The loudest operation to be conducted by the F-35B onboard an aircraft carrier is a Military Power take-off. The measured aircraft sound level of a Military Power take-off is approximately 145 dB at 135 degrees from the aircraft nose centre line, at a distance of 50 feet from the rear of the aircraft. The Military Power take-off is a standard operating procedure and managing exposure to noise is an integral part of normal embarked operations. This level of noise is similar to that of the Harrier, F18’s, F15’s and the same level as produced by an F-16.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Angus Robertson on 2014-06-16.
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, when HMS Ocean will be declared fit to deploy; and when she will depart on Exercise Cougar 14.
Mr Mark Francois
HMS OCEAN is completing refit and will soon put to sea. However, I am withholding precise details of HMS OCEAN’s future programme as their disclosure would, or would be likely to, prejudice the capability, effectiveness or security of the Armed Forces.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Angus Robertson on 2014-06-16.
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what estimate he has made of the total cost of disposal of Nimrod MR4A associated material at RAF Kinloss.
Mr Philip Dunne
The current net cost of removal of Nimrod MR4A material is £86,000. However, we expect the final net cost to be lower since some of the material removed from site has yet to be sold.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Angus Robertson on 2014-06-16.
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what the near cash projected spending on the Equipment Plan and Equipment Support Plan is for each year to 2018.
Mr Philip Dunne
Projected spending on the Equipment Plan and Equipment Support Plan is detailed in the annual Defence Equipment Plan. The most recent edition was published on 12 February 2014.
https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/279440/defence_equipment_plan_2013.pdf
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Angus Robertson on 2014-06-16.
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what deviations or exemptions from the Military Air Systems Certifications Process were made for the Airseeker aircraft; when those deviations or exemptions were made; and who authorised each such deviation or exemption.
Mr Philip Dunne
I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave on 16 June 2014, (Official Report, column 364W), to the hon. Member for Plymouth, Moor View (Alison Seabeck).
Ongoing work will progressively refine this release as additional information becomes available and further analysis is conducted.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Angus Robertson on 2014-06-16.
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what assets his Department has sold and leased back over the last 12 months; what the sale price was of each asset so sold; and what estimate his Department has made of the cost to the public purse of leasing back each such asset over the period of the lease.
Dr Andrew Murrison
This information is not held centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost. However, normally the Ministry of Defence sells its assets with vacant possession, only leasing back properties for short periods pending relocation of the occupants.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Angus Robertson on 2014-06-16.
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many (a) precision-guided munitions and (b) gravity bombs of each type have been dropped in Afghanistan by British (i) fixed-wing aircraft and (ii) unmanned aerial vehicles since 23 March 2011.
Mr Mark Francois
The number of precision-guided munitions dropped in Afghanistan in the period requested are shown in the table. No free fall bombs have been dropped in this time.
|
Aircraft Type |
24 March 2011 to 16 June 2014[1] |
|
Fixed Wing |
71 |
|
Remotely Piloted Air Systems (RPAS) |
317 |
Use of force remains closely controlled and the avoidance of civilian casualties has been paramount. Professional crews carefully select the smallest warhead appropriate to the target being attacked to ensure they deliver the required effect, while minimising the risk to civilians.
All UK forces operate in accordance with International Humanitarian Law, following the principles of distinction, humanity, proportionality and military necessity. The UK’s clearly defined Rules of Engagement are formulated on this basis. The same strict Rules of Engagement that govern the use of conventional military aircraft also apply to RPAS and targets are always positively identified as legitimate military objectives. Reaper is the UK’s only RPAS with the ability to deploy precision-guided weapons.
[1] Inclusive
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Liam Byrne on 2014-06-16.
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many meetings he has had with his Department’s Chief Scientific Adviser in the last 12 months.
Mr Philip Dunne
As was the case under previous administrations, details of internal meetings are not normally disclosed.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Charlotte Leslie on 2014-06-16.
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether his Department owns any of the Filton Airfield site; and whether his Department will be entitled to any share of the site’s sale.
Dr Andrew Murrison
The Department does not own any of the Filton Airfield site and is not entitled to any share in the site’s sale.