Tag: Angus Robertson

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Angus Robertson on 2015-01-14.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what discussions he has had with the Chief of the Air Staff on transferring responsibility for the risk of Typhoon mid air collision to that role.

Mr Mark Francois

In line with Military Aviation Authority (MAA) Regulatory Articles, the Chief of the Air Staff (CAS) briefed the Secretary of State in October 2014 that the Typhoon mid-air collision risk with commercial air transport aircraft had been elevated to CAS since June 2014.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Angus Robertson on 2015-01-14.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to paragraph 7 of Director General, Military Aviation Authority, Air Safety Annual Report, August 2013-August 2014, published in January 2015, what assessment he has made of the implications of the conclusions of that report on his policy on mitigating mid-air collisions; and if he will require a full Airborne Collision Avoidance System to be fitted in all operational Typhoon aircraft.

Mr Mark Francois

Mid-air collision remains the top air safety risk. The Ministry of Defence (MOD) has made considerable progress in reducing the risk of Mid-Air Collision, as the report highlights. Operating Duty Holders are well focused on the risk and are working hard to develop and evolve further mitigations.

Avoidance of collision in the air requires a multi-layered approach, including effective de-confliction planning; supervision of flying and equipment fitted to aircraft to aid situational awareness; employment of suitable radar services; and ultimately an effective lookout from the aircraft to "see and avoid" each other. A wide range of technical and non-technical mitigations are used to reduce the risk to a tolerable level which is as low as reasonably practicable. The risk analysis and associated mitigations are regularly reviewed and adjusted where required in accordance with Military Aviation Authority regulations. The procurement of a collision warning system for UK Typhoon is ongoing with a number of options being assessed using the extant MOD procurement process.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Angus Robertson on 2015-01-14.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, which posts have held responsibility and for how long for the risk of mid-air collisions on each fast jet type in each of the last five years; and what the reason was for the change of ownership in each case.

Mr Mark Francois

The Operating Duty Holder, Air Officer Commanding No 1 Group has and continues to own all frontline fast jet mid-air collision risk except in the following two circumstances:

The mid-air collision risk for Tornado GR4 was held by the RAF’s Senior Duty Holder, Chief of the Air Staff in 2011, and then further elevated to the Secretary of State in June 2011. On commencement of the current Tornado Collision Warning System programme later that same month the risk was transferred back to Air Officer Commanding No 1 Group due to the programme mitigating the risk.

The Typhoon mid-air collision risk with commercial air transport was elevated to the Chief of the Air Staff in June 2014 following the conclusion of further risk analysis work conducted by the Defence Science and Technology Laboratory (DSTL). This analysis concluded that the risk level was unchanged but highlighted the potential for societal concern in the event of a collision.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Angus Robertson on 2014-04-30.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, when he will answer question 188564 tabled on 13 February 2014 for Answer on 24 February 2014, and question 188387 tabled on 12 February 2014 for Answer on 26 February 2014.

Mr Philip Dunne

I responded to the hon. Member today.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Angus Robertson on 2014-06-04.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what maintenance HMS Montrose will undergo before being assigned to the Fleet Ready Escort task; and whether such tasking after a long deployment is a regular occurrence.

Mr Mark Francois

HMS Montrose was previously deployed in the Eastern Mediterranean. She returned to the UK for a period of planned maintenance and post-deployment leave before conducting a short port visit in London and then participating in a NATO Exercise.

Royal Navy ships are programmed in accordance with our operational requirements, but for security reasons we do not discuss specific future operational tasking.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Angus Robertson on 2014-06-16.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what the total cost was of the Nimrod MR4A programme; and what payments were made to each company involved in the programme after 20 October 2012.

Mr Philip Dunne

I refer the hon. Member to the answer given by my predecessor (Peter Luff) on 15 November 2011 (Official Report, column 743W).

The Nimrod MR4A aircraft programme was cancelled in November 2010, after only one aircraft was delivered which was subsequently grounded due to safety concerns.

Available financial information has not identified payments relating to the programme to any company after 20 October 2012.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Angus Robertson on 2014-06-18.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what the results were of the recent interoperability training between RAF 41 (reserve) Test and Evaluation Squadron training with Swedish Air Force and their JAS39C Gripen aircraft.

Mr Mark Francois

The visiting Swedish aircraft were from the Swedish Air Combat Training School. This visit enabled both parties to conduct tactical development of our respective operational test and evaluation processes. It also provided a valuable opportunity to exchange experiences in this area.