Search found 67 matches

by Geoff_B
07 Aug 2016, 14:03
Forum: Royal Navy
Topic: Queen Elizabeth Class Aircraft Carriers - News and Discussion
Replies: 15444
Views: 4409347
United Kingdom

Re: Queen Elizabeth Class Aircraft Carriers - News and Discussion

I have a feeling they would love to load up a QEC and add to a gator group and do an offensive exercise without the benefit of a CVN at hand to gauge if they can do an independent operation and use the F-35B in numbers to provide CAP, deep strike and CAS. Can only speculate but that's what LHA6/7(U...
by Geoff_B
06 Aug 2016, 12:18
Forum: Royal Navy
Topic: Queen Elizabeth Class Aircraft Carriers - News and Discussion
Replies: 15444
Views: 4409347
United Kingdom

Re: Queen Elizabeth Class Aircraft Carriers - News and Discussion

I think we should wait till the 2020s to discuss USMC plans, we may still find them as regular visitors on the QECs as we work up the carriers, from our point we can see how the CV-22 works in the F-35 support role as COD and/or Tanker. From the USMC aspect they can experience operating the F-35B on...
by Geoff_B
28 Jul 2016, 15:26
Forum: Royal Navy
Topic: Queen Elizabeth Class Aircraft Carriers - News and Discussion
Replies: 15444
Views: 4409347
United Kingdom

Re: Queen Elizabeth Class Aircraft Carriers - News and Discussion

https://c5.staticflickr.com/8/7755/27524138916_fe2b6511eb_c.jpg Long Range Radar has successfully been installed by QEClassCarriers , on Flickr Just noticed the new crane on the dock next to the Prince of Wales, earlier build photos show the traditional dockside cranes on each side but it looks lik...
by Geoff_B
28 Jul 2016, 15:15
Forum: Joint Service
Topic: F-35B Lightning (RAF & RN)
Replies: 6067
Views: 1724143
United Kingdom

Re: F-35B Lightning II (RN & RAF)

Not watched this myself (too busy) F35B test pilot chats at Farnborough 2016 http://www.janes.com/article/62452/farnborough-airshow-2016-f-35b-lightning-ii-programme-update-on-uk-carrier-operations Yeap its quite interesting little video that Arfah. Regarding the Italian Navy he seemed to imply tes...
by Geoff_B
28 Jul 2016, 15:02
Forum: Joint Service
Topic: F-35B Lightning (RAF & RN)
Replies: 6067
Views: 1724143
United Kingdom

Re: F-35B Lightning II (RN & RAF)

we have barely got the orders in for the first 14 aircraft yet so Gun pods are not likely to be ordered till the larger orders are placed especially as the gun pods still in testing and integration phase. I wouldn't worry about it just yet
by Geoff_B
16 Jul 2016, 09:43
Forum: Royal Navy
Topic: Queen Elizabeth Class Aircraft Carriers - News and Discussion
Replies: 15444
Views: 4409347
United Kingdom

Re: Queen Elizabeth Class Aircraft Carriers - News and Discussion

I thought HMS Queen Elizabeth was programmed in for months of trials off the US Eastern Seaboard in 2018. I wouldn't be surprised if it was a mixture of UK and USMC aircraft involved. I don't think 617 Sqn is ready to go until 2019 so we have 2 years of first of class and aircraft trials for Queen ...
by Geoff_B
15 Mar 2016, 07:00
Forum: Royal Air Force
Topic: Boeing P-8A Poseidon (MRA Mk.1) (RAF)
Replies: 1271
Views: 456307
United Kingdom

Re: Boeing P-8A Poseidon (Future Maritime Patrol Aircraft) (RAF)

No doubt it will be studied by the MOD, but i can't see a change in the initial requirement unless the offer from Boeing contains options that are really tempting. Otherwise i think we will have to await them entering serviceand finding them so invaluable we need more or they become the ideal playfo...
by Geoff_B
03 Feb 2016, 18:05
Forum: Joint Service
Topic: F-35B Lightning (RAF & RN)
Replies: 6067
Views: 1724143
United Kingdom

Re: F-35B Lightning II (RN & RAF)

http://www.defense-aerospace.com/dae/articles/communiques/F-35_DOTE_2015.pdf The annual DoD F-35 review, always interesting reading without the corporate led spin-doctored propoganda, or there's a niggle lets drop the turkey now that we usually get. Warning its not pleasant in places, and indicates...
by Geoff_B
23 Jan 2016, 09:37
Forum: Joint Service
Topic: F-35B Lightning (RAF & RN)
Replies: 6067
Views: 1724143
United Kingdom

Re: F-35B Lightning II (RN & RAF)

Sounds like a fair deal to me to have a read! :p Sticking with Spear 3 is definitely the better plan. It's just so damn far away. JSM would solve a lot of issues in one single missile acquirement, and in a very short acquirement time as well. At least until Spear 5 arrives in god knows when. (After...
by Geoff_B
21 Jan 2016, 17:12
Forum: Royal Navy
Topic: Queen Elizabeth Class Aircraft Carriers - News and Discussion
Replies: 15444
Views: 4409347
United Kingdom

Re: Queen Elizabeth Class Aircraft Carriers - News and Discussion

Is the V22 still a possibility maybe as a tanker and COD aircraft, even if not AEW and tropp carrying. http://www.navyrecognition.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=3475 Yes, its always a possibility as its been selected as a USN COD aircraft and the USMC are looking to support t...
by Geoff_B
09 Jan 2016, 12:15
Forum: Royal Navy
Topic: Queen Elizabeth Class Aircraft Carriers - News and Discussion
Replies: 15444
Views: 4409347
United Kingdom

Re: Queen Elizabeth Class Aircraft Carriers - News and Discussion

HMS Prince of Wales is certainly coming along as not only is the Aft Island being fitted, but the also rolled out SP12 which implies the fit of the aft CB blocks can't be far off. It does look like the main structure of the ship will assembled by Easter, which shows just how much the ACA have fine t...
by Geoff_B
24 Dec 2015, 09:21
Forum: Joint Service
Topic: F-35B Lightning (RAF & RN)
Replies: 6067
Views: 1724143
United Kingdom

Re: F-35B Lightning II (RN & RAF)

https://twitter.com/JamesDrewNews/status/678961182300962816 Good news. do we think they have finally got on top of the programme? To put it simply NO Wait for the next GAO annual audit report on the programme as that gives you the proper rundown on the goals achieved, the problems resolved, the iss...
by Geoff_B
20 Dec 2015, 10:37
Forum: Royal Navy
Topic: Queen Elizabeth Class Aircraft Carriers - News and Discussion
Replies: 15444
Views: 4409347
United Kingdom

Re: Queen Elizabeth Class Aircraft Carriers - News and Discussion

I suspect the V-22 capability for COD and possibly AAR will be studied when its in service with the US in a similar role, then we'll probably trial it on the QEC's with a USMC F-35B unit before it gets added to wish list for the 2025 SDSR or later. I can't see us touching it before then due to other...
by Geoff_B
23 Nov 2015, 06:29
Forum: Royal Navy
Topic: Type 26 Frigate (City Class) (RN) [News Only]
Replies: 5461
Views: 1464768
United Kingdom

Re: UK's Future T26 Frigate.

Sky reporting the Type 26 order cut vack from 13 to 8 initially to fund more of the immediate spending, so i suspect they will draw out the procurement over a longer period along with possibly an increase in Manpower thats needed in 2020 or 2025 SDSRs
by Geoff_B
23 Nov 2015, 06:25
Forum: Joint Service
Topic: F-35B Lightning (RAF & RN)
Replies: 6067
Views: 1724143
United Kingdom

Re: F-35B Lightning II (RN & RAF)

It appears the play on words is that they mean 24 aka two squadrons worth will be available for the carriers by 2023 rather than just the one, maybe the retaining the early Typhoon to free up Strike Typhoons is too stop the RAF using the Carrier Strike F-35 as Tornado replacements, so possibly a 2nd...
by Geoff_B
22 Nov 2015, 23:30
Forum: Joint Service
Topic: Future UK Maritime Patrol Options
Replies: 1217
Views: 456915
United Kingdom

Re: Future UK Maritime Patrol Options

For this and for any other tasks that may arise in future, this Government will ensure that our Armed Forces always have the capabilities they need. Over the last five years we have reconfigured Britain’s Armed Forces so they are able to deal with modern and evolving threats. Over the next decade w...
by Geoff_B
22 Nov 2015, 22:34
Forum: Joint Service
Topic: Future UK Maritime Patrol Options
Replies: 1217
Views: 456915
United Kingdom

Re: Future UK Maritime Patrol Options

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-34896956?p ... 877286#_=_

Well that's One way to highlight the need for a new MPA ASAP in tomorrows SDSR !!!!! :shock:
by Geoff_B
22 Nov 2015, 18:42
Forum: Joint Service
Topic: F-35B Lightning (RAF & RN)
Replies: 6067
Views: 1724143
United Kingdom

Re: F-35B Lightning II (RN & RAF)

Gabriele can you remember how many were due for delivery in 2023? i have a feeling the missing 6 are the ones actually earmarked for delivery during that yearbut i could be wrong but i recall you having a mapped out the actual lots for our initial 48. I suspect Osbourne asked how many will we have o...
by Geoff_B
22 Nov 2015, 14:48
Forum: Joint Service
Topic: F-35B Lightning (RAF & RN)
Replies: 6067
Views: 1724143
United Kingdom

Re: F-35B Lightning II (RN & RAF)

I think people have missed the point, what we have done is confirm our requirement of 138 aircraft as originally planned, same as Australia committing to 75, Norway to 50 etc, etc. Upto today we had only confirmed that 48 for Carrier Strike would be required and the rest woulf ber decided in the nex...
by Geoff_B
22 Nov 2015, 10:01
Forum: Joint Service
Topic: F-35B Lightning (RAF & RN)
Replies: 6067
Views: 1724143
United Kingdom

Re: F-35B Lightning II (RN & RAF)

Another observation is £12bn for 138 makes it around ~$130m per unit, which seems like about at least $20m+ per unit or about £2bn too much. £2bn that perhaps could be spent on more urgent requirements such as P-8. Ah but don't forget that buy is over the next 14 years, the bulk of it being after 2...
by Geoff_B
22 Nov 2015, 09:57
Forum: Joint Service
Topic: F-35B Lightning (RAF & RN)
Replies: 6067
Views: 1724143
United Kingdom

Re: F-35B Lightning II (RN & RAF)

To be honest i can't see how they can cut numbers of Type-26 if they want a powerful carrier strike fleet as they still need to escort and protect those ships! One point to note on both the F-35B and Type26 is that in this parlement they will still only pay for the other 32 of the initial 48 and its...
by Geoff_B
05 Nov 2015, 09:54
Forum: Royal Navy
Topic: Queen Elizabeth Class Aircraft Carriers - News and Discussion
Replies: 15444
Views: 4409347
United Kingdom

Re: Queen Elizabeth Class Aircraft Carriers - News and Discussion

http://www.defensenews.com/story/defense/naval/2015/11/03/congress-forbes-courtney-stackley-moore-navy-naval-aircraft-carriers-ford-kennedy-enterprise-gap-middle-east-centcom-pacom/75119168/ Not completely related but probably why the US is keen on the QE class to enter service and the possibility ...
by Geoff_B
04 Nov 2015, 11:01
Forum: Joint Service
Topic: F-35B Lightning (RAF & RN)
Replies: 6067
Views: 1724143
United Kingdom

Re: F-35B Lightning II (RN & RAF)

Good news !!! Only in that they are actually ordered from LM now this is still only part of our iniitial batch of 14. Hopefully they will have designed the new stronger main gear bearing bulkhead by the time these are manufactured or else they are going to need a concurency rebuild before we can re...
by Geoff_B
04 Nov 2015, 08:31
Forum: Joint Service
Topic: F-35B Lightning (RAF & RN)
Replies: 6067
Views: 1724143
United Kingdom

Re: F-35B Lightning II (RN & RAF)

Once again I'm not quite sure where I should post this article, but as the main headline is F35 related I ended up here. An interesting range of air assets mentioned particularly for the RN. I'm a bit concerned in regard to the remark about the number of F35's he mentions,as I always understood tha...
by Geoff_B
01 Nov 2015, 11:48
Forum: Joint Service
Topic: Future UK Maritime Patrol Options
Replies: 1217
Views: 456915
United Kingdom

Re: Future UK Maritime Patrol Options

Its Fallon, he's a bit of a lame duck compared with Hammond, Hammond was the one driving the Boeing option, Fallon's obviously scared of Osbourne and has listened to the creeps eddling their £1 shop option of poor 2nd tier options. They should really have changed the focus of the threat potential ho...