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RAF safety request 'was refused' RAF safety request 'was refused'
(about 8 hours later)
An ex-Royal Air Force squadron leader says he warned bosses that Hercules aircraft not fitted with anti-explosive foam were at risk.An ex-Royal Air Force squadron leader says he warned bosses that Hercules aircraft not fitted with anti-explosive foam were at risk.
In 2005, a Hercules was shot down in Iraq killing 10 servicemen, and an inquiry said the lack of the foam in fuel tanks may have been to blame.In 2005, a Hercules was shot down in Iraq killing 10 servicemen, and an inquiry said the lack of the foam in fuel tanks may have been to blame.
Sqn Ldr Chris Seal told the BBC he asked in 2002 for explosive suppressant foam (ESF) to be added to the fleet.Sqn Ldr Chris Seal told the BBC he asked in 2002 for explosive suppressant foam (ESF) to be added to the fleet.
It is not known whether his request ever reached the Ministry of Defence. The MoD insists the upgrades are now being done with "great urgency".
He added that he believed the refusal of his plea had been "down to cost". ESF, which prevents fuel tanks exploding if hit by ground fire, has been standard in all US planes since 1967.
'Not enough' The MoD says the "difficult engineering task" of fitting the system to the entire C-130 fleet will be completed by the end of this year.
ESF has been fitted in all US planes since 1967. But so far only seven out of 48 Hercules have actually been upgraded.
An MoD spokesman has already said the programme to fit ESF will be completed by the end of this year.
In 2002, Sqn Ldr Seal was the detachment commander based in Oman during the Afghanistan conflict.
See how the foam works See how the foam works
He welcomed moves to update the fleet, but criticised the MoD after it emerged on Wednesday that only seven out of 48 Hercules had actually been fitted. Sqn Ldr Smith told the BBC: "I am content that something is happening, and I am also aware of the operational limitations, because those aeroplanes are still required for tasks in theatre upon which troops on the ground are desperately waiting."
"I am content that something is happening, and I am also aware of the operational limitations, because those aeroplanes are still required for tasks in theatre upon which troops on the ground are desperately waiting," he told the BBC.
But he added: "To my mind that is not enough, and it should have been done quicker.But he added: "To my mind that is not enough, and it should have been done quicker.
"Give the guys the tools to do the job. They'll do it. But don't sell 'em down the river.""Give the guys the tools to do the job. They'll do it. But don't sell 'em down the river."
He believes his request was sent up the RAF chain of command, but it is not known whether it ever reached the MoD. 'Jaws dropped'
Sqn Ldr Seal described how in October or November of 2002 year he sent an "urgent" request for ESF, which prevents fuel tanks exploding if hit by ground fire, after a presentation by a US officer. In 2002, Sqn Ldr Seal was the detachment commander based in Oman during the Afghanistan conflict.
It was a presentation there by a US officer that prompted his request for ESF.
"He showed us the video that showed the effects of a bullet hitting the fuel tanks with foam and without foam," he said."He showed us the video that showed the effects of a bullet hitting the fuel tanks with foam and without foam," he said.
"You could almost hear the jaws drop and hit the floor as we saw that. "You could almost hear the jaws drop and hit the floor as we saw that."
"I was in the process of identifying the lessons to be learnt from our operations so far for our main squadron - and as a result I included fire suppressant foam as a requirement." He believes his request was sent up the RAF chain of command, but it is not known whether it ever reached the MoD.
'Driving force'
He claims that this and previous attempts to alert superior officers to the risks faced by aircraft and crews brought his RAF career to an end.He claims that this and previous attempts to alert superior officers to the risks faced by aircraft and crews brought his RAF career to an end.
He left in 2005.He left in 2005.
An RAF board of inquiry admitted that the lack of ESF may have contributed to the crash of Hercules 179 in 2005, which resulted in the single largest loss of life in the present Iraq conflict. An inquest into the deaths will be held later this year. 'Driving force'
Richard Stead, whose son Flt Lt David Stead, 35, died in the crash, has been lobbying to have the entire Hercules fleet fitted with ESF. An RAF board of inquiry admitted that the lack of ESF may have contributed to the crash of Hercules 179 in 2005, which resulted in the single largest loss of life in the present Iraq conflict.
An inquest into the deaths will be held later this year.
Richard Stead, whose son Flt Lt David Stead, 35, died in the crash, has been lobbying to have the entire fleet made safer.
He said: "The driving force behind our campaign is that it is too late to protect our sons, but not too late for the protection of others who daily fly these aircraft in danger zones and throughout the world."He said: "The driving force behind our campaign is that it is too late to protect our sons, but not too late for the protection of others who daily fly these aircraft in danger zones and throughout the world."
The MoD has said the deaths of the 10 servicemen would not definitely have been prevented had explosive suppressant technology been fitted, but it announced in April 2006 that it had decided to fit it to some Hercules aircraft. The MoD says the deaths of the 10 servicemen would not definitely have been prevented by ESF, but insist that "financial constraints are not the issue in providing the best available protection".
A spokesman said the Hercules C130K had an "excellent safety record" and that safety was a "primary concern." A spokesman said: "Equipment upgrades are made on the recommendation of specialist advice, informed by operational experience and intelligence assessments.
"Prior to the crash, C-130 aircraft were not considered to be especially vulnerable to a fuel tank explosion.
"The department therefore focused its efforts on introducing other defensive systems, thought to provide greater protection against known threats."
EXPLOSIVE SUPPRESSANT FOAM SYSTEM 1. Without foam: Explosive mix of fuel vapour and air above liquid fuel ignites easily. Once this ignites, a compression wave pressurises the remaining gas, increasing the explosion.EXPLOSIVE SUPPRESSANT FOAM SYSTEM 1. Without foam: Explosive mix of fuel vapour and air above liquid fuel ignites easily. Once this ignites, a compression wave pressurises the remaining gas, increasing the explosion.
2. With foam: Foam expands to fill space in tank as fuel level drops. Vapour ignition is confined to the area close to spark, stopping explosion.2. With foam: Foam expands to fill space in tank as fuel level drops. Vapour ignition is confined to the area close to spark, stopping explosion.
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