Search found 556 matches

by benny14
15 Aug 2018, 14:02
Forum: Royal Navy
Topic: Queen Elizabeth Class Aircraft Carriers - News and Discussion
Replies: 15445
Views: 4409709
United Kingdom

Re: Queen Elizabeth Class Aircraft Carriers - News and Discussion

"getting ready to deploy @HMSQnlz next week"
by benny14
14 Aug 2018, 22:39
Forum: Royal Navy
Topic: Queen Elizabeth Class Aircraft Carriers - News and Discussion
Replies: 15445
Views: 4409709
United Kingdom

Re: Queen Elizabeth Class Aircraft Carriers - News and Discussion

Little J wrote:That's always been the plan hasn't it? UK pilots have done any UK specific work (as well as other test duties) and any of the test pilots can (and do) use what ever aircraft is available on that day.
US planes, UK pilots.
by benny14
14 Aug 2018, 13:43
Forum: Joint Service
Topic: F-35B Lightning (RAF & RN)
Replies: 6067
Views: 1724410
United Kingdom

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

sunstersun wrote:It will have a minor impact.
Some estimates have said losing the facility and having to find new manufactures for the components made in Turkey will set the program back 1-2 years.
SKB wrote:Any more RAF/FAA F-35's coming to the UK this year?
Not likely. Only 1-2 more F-35s delivered this year.
by benny14
14 Aug 2018, 12:40
Forum: Joint Service
Topic: F-35B Lightning (RAF & RN)
Replies: 6067
Views: 1724410
United Kingdom

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

Jdam wrote:What does Turkey contribute to the project?
A small amount of initial funding, the main European engine maintenance facility and a certain percentage of the aircraft itself.
by benny14
14 Aug 2018, 01:30
Forum: Joint Service
Topic: F-35B Lightning (RAF & RN)
Replies: 6067
Views: 1724410
United Kingdom

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

sunstersun wrote:in other Turkey related news.

https://www.dailysabah.com/americas/201 ... lly-turkey

Turkey's probably going to get kicked out the JSF program. NATO withdraw is probably on the table soon enough.
Was on twitter earlier, everything F-35 related had masses of salty Turks commenting. Now I know why.
by benny14
14 Aug 2018, 01:21
Forum: Royal Navy
Topic: Queen Elizabeth Class Aircraft Carriers - News and Discussion
Replies: 15445
Views: 4409709
United Kingdom

Re: Queen Elizabeth Class Aircraft Carriers - News and Discussion

The next two daytime high tides for Portsmouth Harbour are: Tuesday 14th August 2018 - 14:31 (125% Spring Tide) Wednesday 15th August - 15:30 (115% Spring Tide) Wednesday or Thursday is my bet. Do we know which T23 is heading out with her? Current available ships are: HMS St Albans (Tail) HMS Westm...
by benny14
13 Aug 2018, 00:56
Forum: General Discussion
Topic: Fantasy T31 and Fantasy Fleet Builder [New]
Replies: 1811
Views: 76360
United Kingdom

Re: Fantasy T31 and Fantasy Fleet Builder [New]

Do you mean you think one will be mothballed like the Albion class? That's not the plan as it currently stands, and even dropping one to low readiness ala the Albion's would be too visible and too damaging There is not going to be two standing strike carrier groups as only one carrier will be opera...
by benny14
12 Aug 2018, 15:37
Forum: Royal Navy
Topic: Queen Elizabeth Class Aircraft Carriers - News and Discussion
Replies: 15445
Views: 4409709
United Kingdom

Re: Queen Elizabeth Class Aircraft Carriers - News and Discussion

Also are they not having a joint RM USMC exercise with the merlins & chinooks? Yes. L Company (Joint Personnel Recovery), 42 Commando is onboard. Commando aviation assault ex, and JPR integration training. Have we seen any Apaches on Big Liz yet? With all the talk of ciws etc those monsters do ...
by benny14
08 Aug 2018, 13:48
Forum: Joint Service
Topic: F-35B Lightning (RAF & RN)
Replies: 6067
Views: 1724410
United Kingdom

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

For the jobs we have at the moment, our lack of tools isn’t really hurting us, but we’re taking a risk that it won’t hurt us before we can get more. If we have a sudden job that needs more tools, then we still have the option to get more to put in our van. If we had a smaller van, then we would nev...
by benny14
06 Aug 2018, 23:21
Forum: Royal Navy
Topic: Type 31 Frigate (Inspiration Class) [News Only]
Replies: 8470
Views: 2142786
United Kingdom

Re: Type 31 General Purpose Frigate [News Only]

What is the difference between the 117m and 120m variant? Flightdeck? Classification: Lloyds Naval Ship Rules ✠100A1, NS2 Frigate, SA1, AIR, ESA, RSA, LA, LAP, TA2, LMC, PSMRL, CCS, RAS(ABV)(NT), ELS, FIRE**, ESC**, LSAE**, CEPAC2, MD, SH, POL(I, IV, V, VI, AFS), ENV(A, BWT, OW, IHM, NOx-3, SOx, RS)...
by benny14
06 Aug 2018, 23:14
Forum: Joint Service
Topic: F-35B Lightning (RAF & RN)
Replies: 6067
Views: 1724410
United Kingdom

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

mr.fred wrote:A better analogy might be a builder buying a large van that he can’t afford to fill with tools yet.
A good investment. He has room to expand the amount of tools he can carry, which he wouldn't be able to do if he had purchased a small van.
by benny14
06 Aug 2018, 14:15
Forum: Joint Service
Topic: F-35B Lightning (RAF & RN)
Replies: 6067
Views: 1724410
United Kingdom

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

It sure as hell didn't take the French over a decade to get a half decent sized airwing on their carriers. That's for sure. HMS QE is operational by 2020. Two squadrons available (24) by 2023, with the ability to reinforce from the OCU, in addition to its helicopters. As for France, they had three ...
by benny14
06 Aug 2018, 13:16
Forum: Joint Service
Topic: F-35B Lightning (RAF & RN)
Replies: 6067
Views: 1724410
United Kingdom

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

It obviously does because having 48 Aster missiles and 80 Aster missiles isn't the same thing. With CAAM or ESSM on carrier ( and larger number of missiles ) the whole thing is even better. Neither is the same thing when you have just 3 Phalanx and when you have 3 Phalanx and say 32 Aster missiles ...
by benny14
06 Aug 2018, 13:00
Forum: Joint Service
Topic: F-35B Lightning (RAF & RN)
Replies: 6067
Views: 1724410
United Kingdom

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

THIS. So, when carryng 8-12 F-35, not because they are not needed ( action against Sierra Leone frex ), but because HMG didn't buy more than that needed or not, wouldn't you call that useless? 12 is merely an initial operating capability, the capability is still building up. At a slower rate than w...
by benny14
06 Aug 2018, 12:48
Forum: Joint Service
Topic: F-35B Lightning (RAF & RN)
Replies: 6067
Views: 1724410
United Kingdom

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

This is nothing to do with experience, and everything to do with not buying enough aircraft. Clearly, but stop pretending France had a full carrier capability from day one, it took them years to build it up to where it is now. They may have done it better than us, but it still takes years to build ...
by benny14
06 Aug 2018, 12:33
Forum: Joint Service
Topic: F-35B Lightning (RAF & RN)
Replies: 6067
Views: 1724410
United Kingdom

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

his patently is not the case. Nations with smaller budgets (France) have full, supported, equipped, and dedicated airwings that can ensure their carrier is permenantly stocking between 70-100% of its total capacity on deployment, and they don't even have the advantage of sharing the planes with lan...
by benny14
05 Aug 2018, 11:49
Forum: Joint Service
Topic: F-35B Lightning (RAF & RN)
Replies: 6067
Views: 1724410
United Kingdom

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

Yeeeep. Fully agreed. Better say 3 small carriers like Cavour-class with one serving as strike carrier and second as amphibious carrier. That should be just about the cost of one QE-carrier. And use the money from other for say additional SSN or pair of Type 26... That would be absolutely useless i...
by benny14
04 Aug 2018, 18:42
Forum: Joint Service
Topic: F-35B Lightning (RAF & RN)
Replies: 6067
Views: 1724410
United Kingdom

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

As aircraft numbers and the numbers available and what can be sustained is flavour of the month, when was the last time a single fleet deployed 36 aircraft? 28 Sea Harriers in the Falklands, across three squadrons, split across two carriers. And 10 GR3s in one squadron. Gulf war - 45 Tornado GR1 Ir...
by benny14
04 Aug 2018, 17:13
Forum: Joint Service
Topic: F-35B Lightning (RAF & RN)
Replies: 6067
Views: 1724410
United Kingdom

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

I am not concerned about the initial deployment, a single squadron to conduct trial etc if total correct. What I am annoyed about is that the original plan was for 36 F-35 to be deployed on the QEs to achieve the desired sortie rate. Why does it have to be all or nothing? The whole purpose of these...
by benny14
04 Aug 2018, 13:50
Forum: Joint Service
Topic: F-35B Lightning (RAF & RN)
Replies: 6067
Views: 1724410
United Kingdom

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

A single small squadron may appear to be adequate for "Wave the flag", deployments but can you imagine the French or US navies deploying a carrier overseas with say a single squadron on board. It doesn't matter how you try to spin it we have built two magnificent carriers but cannot affor...
by benny14
04 Aug 2018, 10:47
Forum: Joint Service
Topic: F-35B Lightning (RAF & RN)
Replies: 6067
Views: 1724410
United Kingdom

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

12 for her first deployment (excluding the half a dozen or so USMC) seems pretty weak. Not really. That has always been the plan and it is perfectly adequate for a peacetime wave the flag deployment. Can you elaborate on this a bit please? I can't understand how we will have enough squadrons to do ...
by benny14
04 Aug 2018, 00:19
Forum: Joint Service
Topic: F-35B Lightning (RAF & RN)
Replies: 6067
Views: 1724410
United Kingdom

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

Will 1 squadron each be notionally dedicated to each carrier, so that thier readiness cycles are aligned to ensure maximum availability when the carriers deploy? Excuse my ignorance, but kinda like the escorts will be? So, judging by the timeline you describe, the maximum UK F35b complement on QE's...
by benny14
03 Aug 2018, 23:56
Forum: Joint Service
Topic: F-35B Lightning (RAF & RN)
Replies: 6067
Views: 1724410
United Kingdom

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

9 is a squadron??! Even the Red Arrows have a tenth! Nothing to worry about, they are going up to 12 eventually. It was mentioned awhile back that the reason it was going to be 9 in the meantime is so that they can stand up 207 Squadron OCU for mid next year. This is due to the F-35 buy rate been v...
by benny14
03 Aug 2018, 19:38
Forum: Joint Service
Topic: F-35B Lightning (RAF & RN)
Replies: 6067
Views: 1724410
United Kingdom

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

A thread on the journey...