could we see Hydrography vessels take on "Patrol" taskings to? We already do, one of the echo's was deployed to patrol the med. I'm unsure we will see much more of that though, unless we are seriously desperate. It is clear we are going to be using the rivers as global patrol vessels. Tha...

MLP is really a niche capabilty one the US can cover with Military Sealift Comand and is another capabilty RFA can't compete with. As it stands yes, but if the RFA where to replicate the model it would be modified to better fit British needs, so perhaps a bit smaller with a focus on aviation and me...

or are LHDs simply a better option for the UK in all circumstances? I think so. They enable almost all the capabilities of a LPD, with most of the capabilities of a LPH thrown in, add a ski jump and you have a sprinkling of carrier capabilities on top. It just seems like a much more valuable and fl...

Perhaps, in which case we would like to see two properly crewed, leaner, amphibious platform's. (it's why I never specifically reference the Albion's

my thinking was more along the lines of once all the T23's are replaced by T26's there will be 520 sailors free for other duties, perhaps a couple of extra lighter frigates and the other amphib. It is indeed a good capability to have both available, makes me wonder of an upgrade could bring them in ...

True that, idealists whining that nothing is ideal.

Neither are unrealistic scenarios. One things for sure, we do need an up turn in capabilities. Perhaps once we've fully regenerated out carrier capabilities, attention will turn to regenerating our amphibious capabilities. I think we can be optimistic, as the T26's begin to enter service with their ...

Does Phalanx need an operator sat there? I was under the impression it operated automatically as a self contained unit, that being why it is a more attractive system.

Would cutting Trident and saving £100 billion over 40 years do anything to change this? Works out to be somewhere between 4-6% of defence spending over that period. Sure that could be used to fix some of the holes in our conventional forces, but spent that way the effect wouldn't be as profound, po...

It's about making the carriers as effective as possible, given the limitations of STOVL, so Ospresy for inflight refuelliny and AEW would make sense on that count . It is, and for that reason we will defiantly see tilt rotors in Royal Navy colors operating from QE's decks. However I don't see the M...

rec wrote: terrorist groups (who wont be deterrred by CASD)

I hate this argument, often repeated throughout the media and is just the most illogical, ill though out case.
It is not the point CASD to deter terrorists. Just like our 10 drones aren't there to deter nuclear blackmail.

unknown, I suppose that would depend on the layout. With a hybrid system the power train can be distributed for extra robustness, so perhaps more hot spots. Perhaps an application for BAE's adaptiv tank demo.

Yes, direct driving from a GT is a poor choice.

rec wrote:I would like to seesome carrier based Ospreys for inflight refeulling of F35B and Transport helicopters, that would extend the reach of the QES

Let's hope the US marines bring some of there's.

Where are the resources for these 3 new amphibious ships going to come from? Something has to be cut if we want to increase number's. Either that or some extreme lean manning. What ever new platforms we get, they will be at the expense of existing assets. We don't have the resources to facilitate an...

CASD is the only safe basket to put your eggs in. All other method's have holes in them. I don't support the notion it makes the rest of our forces weak either, rather it makes them stronger. Any peer on peer war could so easily go nuclear, and if we lacked the capability we could easily be destroye...

What makes Canada and New Zealand such a design authority on complex warship's? I must have missed the last battle they had. The type 26 is a ship perfectly designed for the Royal Navy, all managed without the Brazilians or Australians or many others who were reportedly cooperating in the program. W...

The UK needs faster landing craft, first of all, for launch from further away, It certainly does, the current method is archaic and not really up to the job any more. However every landing craft that takes up space on the carrier's does so at the expense of aviation, the whole point of our most val...

POW should not carry landing craft. It is a horrible, horrible idea.
Using an auxiliary is a much more sensible suggestion.

I would rather keep diesel to be honest! I work in a gas turbine factory, so I'll declare my bias now, but I think both have advantages. A GT applied in an electric hybrosy drive train is a hell of a lot more attractive than the direct drive method the Americans use. In my head, my concept would be...

WhiteWhale wrote:Hell at this point we should be looking at hybrid diesel/electric

We absolutely should! Probably a bit much for the chally though.

They could then make me very happy and replace the diesel with a gas turbine!

other option if you look at USNS Benavidez (T-AKR 306) and with a bit of modifying could become the next Argus and Ocean replacement. That was very much along the line of my thinking, I just had no idea that class existed. I very much like this idea for an Ocean / Argus replacement, especially as @...

I doubt a matelot or bootneck cares about how many magic beans she's worth to the treasury? They should do. They can't do a very good job without those magic beans. The entire program needs to be judged, including the capitol cost, the operational costs, the availability and its operational perform...

The T26 & FLF programs should have input from Australia, New Zealand, Canada as well as the United Kingdom and we might actually produce a world beating design Or we have a ship that satisfies a bit of everyone's requirement, but doesn't excell for any particular navy. Don't need another joint ...

Why are we designing frigates for New Zealand? That is totally the wrong way to do things. We need to build the perfect frigate for the Royal Navy and if other countries like it then its good news.