Search found 241 matches

by rec
16 Jul 2016, 11:38
Forum: Royal Navy
Topic: Type 31 Frigate (Inspiration Class) [News Only]
Replies: 8470
Views: 2143364

Re: Type 31 General Purpose Frigate

rec i don't see any need for SSK at all apart from Export orders I think the submarine service is too small to sustain an effectice carreer progression and adequate training opportunities. It has to few hulls to effectively patrol around UK and north Atlantic waters, to provide adequate assessments...
by rec
16 Jul 2016, 11:11
Forum: Royal Navy
Topic: Type 31 Frigate (Inspiration Class) [News Only]
Replies: 8470
Views: 2143364

Re: Type 31 General Purpose Frigate

6 type 45 16 type 26 6 type 31 WIGS,FIGS, east Africa guardship 5 river II for guardship Falklands I think that is unlikely, given the finances, this is more likely: 6 type 45 8 type 26 8 type 31 5 river II But Ideally: In addition, 6-8 SSKs ( foreign design built under license, would give a better...
by rec
09 Jul 2016, 15:46
Forum: UK Defence & Aerospace Industry
Topic: National Shipbuilding Strategy
Replies: 225
Views: 15176

Re: National Shipbuilding Strategy

Surely it makes sense to develop Rosyth allowing the MARS /future LPH vessels to be assembled there simultaneously . Follow the concept of the carrier's. Modular manufacture round the UK then final assembly at one site. Reopen other yards to allow them to compete on T26/T31/MHPC vessels. Yes it mak...
by rec
09 Jul 2016, 15:45
Forum: Joint Service
Topic: F-35B Lightning (RAF & RN)
Replies: 6067
Views: 1725068

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

It's because the F35 is both a Harrier and a Tornado replacement (and eventually Tranche 1 Typhoon replacement), that I think a split buy is essential. So why not 80bs for RN and 60 A/Cs for the RAF? The French Navy run with just 40 Rafales in total for CDG, so 120+Bs is overkill for carrier ops
by rec
08 Jul 2016, 17:57
Forum: Joint Service
Topic: F-35B Lightning (RAF & RN)
Replies: 6067
Views: 1725068

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

arfah wrote:So what do the RAF replace the lost Harrier capability with?
they have a choice it's that or deep strike, surely Typhoon in part has replaced the harrier?
by rec
08 Jul 2016, 17:34
Forum: Joint Service
Topic: F-35B Lightning (RAF & RN)
Replies: 6067
Views: 1725068

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

I still think a split buy is best,a nd would be slightly chaerer, in addition the f35A better fits the RAF's requirements. So 3 front line F35b squardrons RN and 3 front line F35A squardrons RAF 1 joint OEU (As and Bs) 1joint OCu (As and Bs) Bases Marham and Honnington and maybe Wittering. work up t...
by rec
08 Jul 2016, 17:27
Forum: General Discussion
Topic: Bell Boeing V-22 Osprey - Should the UK buy it?
Replies: 67
Views: 5360

Re: Osprey - Should the UK buy it?

I would rather see the 8 orphaned HM1s upgraded to HM2 standard and a further new build of merlin HM2s. Then once there are sufficient f3bs in service then think about opsresys for COD and air to air refuelling.
by rec
08 Jul 2016, 17:24
Forum: UK Defence & Aerospace Industry
Topic: National Shipbuilding Strategy
Replies: 225
Views: 15176

Re: National Shipbuilding Strategy

It will be interesting to see how strategic the shipbuilding strategy really is, and how much money is available post Brexit. A lot depends on the cost of the Type 31. Ideally if a good asw escourt can be built for around 350-400 million producing in effect a modern T23 which can escourt carriers an...
by rec
04 Jul 2016, 21:15
Forum: UK Defence & Aerospace Industry
Topic: National Shipbuilding Strategy
Replies: 225
Views: 15176

Re: National Shipbuilding Strategy

We have two yards partly for competition and partly because Scotland is like to leave the UK at some point.
by rec
04 Jul 2016, 20:29
Forum: UK Defence & Aerospace Industry
Topic: National Shipbuilding Strategy
Replies: 225
Views: 15176

Re: National Shipbuilding Strategy

There has to be a second complex warship builder that's not BAE: For competition reasons and political (if Scotland goes independent) In order to achive that money has to be spent and a 10-15 year programme put in place. A joint investment into Camil laird between the Government and another shipbuil...
by rec
03 Jul 2016, 19:25
Forum: UK Defence & Aerospace Industry
Topic: Babcock Shipbuilders
Replies: 47
Views: 4961

Re: Babcock Shipbuilders LE Samuel Beckett

Third P60 on sea-trials today.....Nice job Babcock looking forward to number four....http://www.northdevonjournal.co.uk/8203-watch-the-latest-irish-navy-vessel-built-at-babcock-set-out-on-maiden-voyage/story-29470830-detail/story.html Having proved themselves satisfactory (and more) to the customer...
by rec
25 Jun 2016, 10:35
Forum: Royal Navy
Topic: Type 31 Frigate (Inspiration Class) [News Only]
Replies: 8470
Views: 2143364

Re: Type 31 General Purpose Frigate

All the more reson for a UK shipbuilding startegy that gives us a non Clyde option, therfore Type 31 has to be buildable at somewhere like Camil Laird, has to be relatively cheap and quick to build, and aimed to replace the oldest T23s that don't carry TAS. In the interim while they are being bult a...
by rec
18 Jun 2016, 18:21
Forum: Political Discussions
Topic: The Murder of Jo Cox MP
Replies: 17
Views: 451

Re: The Murder of Jo Cox MP

Thoughts and prayers with her family and friends, tragic news.
by rec
18 Jun 2016, 18:20
Forum: Royal Navy
Topic: AW101 Merlin Helicopter (RN)
Replies: 513
Views: 273206

Re: Merlin helicopters

Dahedd wrote:bit OT but could the AEW package be fitted to a drone such as a Predator or the larger pattern of Zepyhr? The Zepyhr Would certainly give them high altitude coverage.
Not really OT, 30 Merlin HM2s is too few, to find funds to bring the remaining 8 HM1s to HM2 standards makes sense.
by rec
18 Jun 2016, 17:44
Forum: Royal Navy
Topic: Queen Elizabeth Class Aircraft Carriers - News and Discussion
Replies: 15445
Views: 4410644

Re: Queen Elizabeth Class Aircraft Carriers - News and Discussion

The key is having 1) sufficient dedicated aircraft both rotary and fixed wing, 2) adequate modern escourts, and 3) good Fleet train; without these the QE class would be pointless. 1) F35B for vcarriesr only, 3 fixed wing squadrons of 14 (12 combat and 2 for buddy buddy refueling) , all RN would make...
by rec
18 Jun 2016, 17:37
Forum: Royal Navy
Topic: Type 31 Frigate (Inspiration Class) [News Only]
Replies: 8470
Views: 2143364

Re: Type 31 General Purpose Frigate

Are not the options pretty straight forward and one of the following?? An ASW Specialist T31 A foreign design Extended Khareeef Venator 110 Allhave their pros and cons. It depends onwhether the UK shiipbuilding startegy si really a strategy or a cost saving exercise. And beneath all this is the bigg...
by rec
18 Jun 2016, 17:34
Forum: Royal Navy
Topic: AW101 Merlin Helicopter (RN)
Replies: 513
Views: 273206

Re: Merlin helicopters

So would another platform for AEW make sense, in addition to converting the remaining HM1s??????
by rec
18 Jun 2016, 16:55
Forum: General Discussion
Topic: Bell Boeing V-22 Osprey - Should the UK buy it?
Replies: 67
Views: 5360

Re: Osprey - Should the UK buy it?

It depends, what else would go in order to pay for Osptrey, after all the MOD isn't flush with money.
by rec
18 Jun 2016, 16:54
Forum: Royal Navy
Topic: AW101 Merlin Helicopter (RN)
Replies: 513
Views: 273206

Re: Merlin helicopters

Brining the orphan HM1s into service for AEw would be a good idea. And it would keep Westalnds open for a bit longer as they do the ugrade work.
by rec
18 Jun 2016, 16:52
Forum: Royal Navy
Topic: River Class (OPV) (RN)
Replies: 5411
Views: 1421109

Re: river I/I.5 and II patrol vessels

They could be the basis for the next generation of MCMS, if we go for an stealth MCM with a specialist hull which is what the Hunts and Sandowns are.
by rec
18 Jun 2016, 16:48
Forum: Royal Navy
Topic: Type 26 Frigate (City Class) (RN) [News Only]
Replies: 5461
Views: 1465334

Re: UK's Future T26 Frigate.

If it is possible to do a high quality ASW frigate at around £350 million as the T31 , then what not just 6 T26s and 12 T31?
by rec
13 Jun 2016, 17:10
Forum: Royal Navy
Topic: Type 31 Frigate (Inspiration Class) [News Only]
Replies: 8470
Views: 2143364

Re: Type 31 General Purpose Frigate

When has the RN hunted a submarine last time? 1945? Is it really worth to have a "world beating" ( hell those words sound as profanity to me :lol: ) ship that will be great asset in, once in 70+ years job, but the RN will struggle to send a frigate to Syria or in Gulf or to escort QE-clas...
by rec
11 Jun 2016, 12:36
Forum: Royal Navy
Topic: River Class (OPV) (RN)
Replies: 5411
Views: 1421109

Re: river I/I.5 and II patrol vessels

I understand your desire to increase SSK but at the expense of what? trident? astutes? the submarine service isn't exactly overmanned to provide additional crews. personally I'd bin trident and invest in the surface fleet. And without extra funding scale back our Global ambitions to what we can act...
by rec
11 Jun 2016, 11:47
Forum: Royal Navy
Topic: River Class (OPV) (RN)
Replies: 5411
Views: 1421109

Re: river I/I.5 and II patrol vessels

rec SSK's are useful to patrol an EEZ in what way? I know the canadians have tried to use theirs in that role. we havent the money for them except we cancel type 26 & 31 or trident or scrap the amphibious fleet put the 3 river 1's at portsmouth to cover the south and east split the 5 batch 2 be...
by rec
11 Jun 2016, 10:34
Forum: Royal Navy
Topic: River Class (OPV) (RN)
Replies: 5411
Views: 1421109

Re: river I/I.5 and II patrol vessels

We are not well equipped with aircraft or subs, and a fleet of SSKS would be very useful to boost numbers and give the submarine branch a much needed boost. (obvioulsy need to increase manpower). On the Rivers keep the batch 1s and base all 3 plus Clyde at Portsmouth and their primary task is to sup...