UK Defence Forum

How you “Fight a Ship” is NEVER a small technicality. The whole point of the recent training was to see how the Carrier (and its crew) performed in a fully operational scenario. Any one who says that something is “fully trained” when it is most clearly not so, should be avoided like the plague AND s...

Another parallel might be having a fast rally car and a slow service vehicle. The powers that be decide that it would be better to put the mechanic in the rally car and the racing driver in the service vehicle because that way rally car and service vehicle will be closer together. The point is (in f...

The point that I was trying to make, was that how can HMS QE really be a “fully trained” Aircraft Carrier, without having the full 360° Phalanx coverage? Unless it is felt that simulation of this is considered sufficient.

Or the need to convert the remaining Merlin HM1 to HM2 to gain additional airframes is finally recognised.

When is the 3rd Phalanx being fitted to our “fully trained” ??? Aircraft Carrier?

Important points to Note and Remember:- 1. IT IS NOT YOU that is being made redundant. The job role is what is really being made redundant! 2. You have skills, the ability to learn (and experience of life) to offer another employer. 3. YOU WILL find another job, even if it may be less rewarding at f...

Except that in that case, it was a 40 year gap!

Since the MOD came into being then?

Only if they want to add an additional 15 years capability gap!

I am talking of a next generation AAW “Escort” being in the order of c 12-14,000 Tonnes, if not larger still. If I am correct, then in no way could a 8-9000 Tonne Hull be considered to be suitable.

Next generation AAW vessels will probably end up being "Cruiser" (Heavy rather than Light) sized vessels, so trying to design or adapt a hull now, for what may prove to be far too small when the replacement comes to be built is indeed lunacy. Think how long that could cause the T45 replace...

The Treasury needs to remember why it even exists. It was set up in the first place to "FUND THE NAVY", not to tell it what it can't have!.

We need to concentrate on the necessity of pursuing whatever the “course of action” may be, rather than finding reasons for not doing it. Obviously a stupid place to put a critical piece of infrastructure in the first place. A demonstrable lack of strategic thinking (like having all your escorts or ...

Poor form to refuse offered hospitality!

The RN & MOD have adopted the most appropriate attitude for the current circumstances ......... SEMPER FI!

Do not forget that this is a reciprocal arrangement, with UK F35Bs to deploy on WASP/AMERICA class LHDs as well on a date or dates as yet to be determined. Not surprising really with current initial UK numbers of F35B not being sufficient to make this a practicable possibility at the moment. "T...

And the threats are greater!

Just Noticed, my last post must be the work of the devil!

Timmymagic 1. It is on record as being an 8 plane deployment (Not 12). 2. It does not have to be RAS’d in one go. 3. Some Items F35 engines may be brought by MV22, if that is how the USN do it onto the Wasp class etc. Finally, and I assume you read my earlier post fully??? Any proposed means of supp...

We must also consider the potential benefits of “Cross-Learning” as US and UK maintenance teams work in close proximity on HMS QE or HMS PoW. If the USMC bring along a couple of MV22, we might see enough advantages to convince the MOD that a limited number need to be purchased!

Why not just paint some big F.O. Roundels on it and some R/W/B Flashes (or Union Flags) on the Tail!

How about a Cruiser ?

Timmymagic Wrote “Will the UK have a stockpile of munitions that will be held for the USMC and embarked as necessary or will QE have to dock elsewhere and embark kit and stores for the US contingent?“ Ever heard of RAS? Do you not think that one of the evolutions to be practiced might be to RAS from...

Do not forget the UK SSN, which will also be part of CSG21.

So that Government MUST provide the funds that are needed! We are at the point now where We cannot reduce our aspirations !!! any further, without very causing very serious damage to our “defence“ capability. By the way does not that age old truism “The best means of Defence is Offence” ring any bel...