Could a blimp type unmanned system be used to carry the signal over the horizon ? 300k & 2k altitude for example ?

im eager to see a NSM test fire from her

Na just build it france & double the price for the EU....+ the french could charge a training fee until its up to speed

Thanks for explaning the upgrade path, as you mention, definatly better than thought

Taking a page from the UK playbook !

Could that mean the oZ gov might build ( to get the experience & skillset ) for example 4 or 5 T31 then when their "Hunter" design is finalised build the complex/expensives ships later ?

Would it be a good idea to de-spec the hunter class to broardly RN spec but with CAMM-ER & except that its primary focus will be ASW ? that may save a bit of wonga.....

extending the OSD seems to the norm lately ! so with the AUKUS deal high on the list im confident a extra boat will be on the list (preferably 2) of needs...

It does look like a steady drumbeat of building to retain skills does work ! who knew

Would the drone be more limited by weather than a merlin aswell ? on the flip side though - the drone is way more expendable the crew of the merlin ! but would still like to have J -ASROC weopon for speed, more options are good to have in a potential life & death situation

Did i also read that there is a lack of space at Marham for future 'Lots' of F35 ?

ps in one proposal i seem to remeber the QEC carriers having the radar & Viper missile system like the T45 but was omitted as it was huge electronic "bullseye" & to expensive a & overkill as on deployment the would be escouted by T45, not to mention the extra cost to man & ...

Money - or lack of it ....... also as mentioned since the risk is tiny that she would need her CIWS back, why delay her SRVL trials trip anymore, when QE is on actual deplyment with f35 etc & is the 'on call' carrier, in a ideal world im sure things would be different as anticipated in the 90/20...

When the Tempest program starts showing its full potential late this decade or early 2030, perhaps the raf will offer up lightnings to the RN in exchange for the funds for the potential xtra f35b to be transfered to tempest product airframes.....but if the FAA get the 48 f35b that will a huge drain ...

Could this help with f35b dispersal operations - if needed - ?

why ? Germanys buying a few F35 - so why would they frown apon spain getting 15 (?) for their LHD ? probably wont happen though due to their budget as you say

Looks good ! was there a reason ( besides money ) whey they were not adopted ??

Maybe in 25 they will push the boat out & go for a 2 operational squadron CSG for a short deployment ? ......

Thunderbird 2

if they did sell 1 LPD ( which may help short budget ) hopefully not both Albion & Bulwark !!! then order 6 MRSS they could "spin" it as an increase in numbers....

Would changing the 4-5 for 57mm be better on T45 ? certainly cheaper ...unless they just run down the ammo stocks when the T 23 bow out & stop using the114 when all is fired !

Baby steps - but welcome, start cheap & cheerful, workout the bugs then progress to something truely useful

Wonder how many F35 will be involved in the SRVL trials ?

Yes, the end of the decade will be busy with new hulls in the water replacing the well used T23 so avoiding delays as much as possible sounds like the way to go... get a couple of T31 & T26 up to speed then decide on up arming the T31 with mk41 by witch time the stocks of whatever is going in th...