Search found 1029 matches

by Aethulwulf
30 Aug 2020, 16:34
Forum: Royal Navy
Topic: Current & Future Escorts - General Discussion
Replies: 19150
Views: 7058593
United Kingdom

Re: Current & Future Escorts - General Discussion

Yet again MikeKiloPapa demonstrates his detailed professional knowledge, but Donald demonstrates he is an amateur who does know when to stop talking...

...sigh.
by Aethulwulf
27 Aug 2020, 02:08
Forum: Joint Service
Topic: F-35B Lightning (RAF & RN)
Replies: 6067
Views: 1725010
United Kingdom

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

Reduction in the UK commitment to buy 138 will not happen. I have $100 on it. Any takers? Politicians are rather famous for not doing pointless things and this would be totally pointless. Piss off the US and not save a penny! I think there will be an announcement that the UK will order a further X ...
by Aethulwulf
14 Aug 2020, 21:18
Forum: Royal Navy
Topic: Queen Elizabeth Class Aircraft Carriers - News and Discussion
Replies: 15445
Views: 4410557
United Kingdom

Re: Queen Elizabeth Class Aircraft Carriers - News and Discussion

Ron5 wrote:
dmereifield wrote:Wow! :clap:
If you look carefully at the model, Philly's boy is leaning against the aft Phalanx checking out the view.
Ron, the correct terminology would appear to be "Philly's nipper".
by Aethulwulf
12 Aug 2020, 17:16
Forum: Royal Air Force
Topic: Boeing P-8A Poseidon (MRA Mk.1) (RAF)
Replies: 1271
Views: 456518
United Kingdom

Re: Boeing P-8A Poseidon (MRA Mk.1) (RAF)

With current numbers of P8 Poseidon, I doubt they will be able to provide 24/7 surveillance of the Channel with the P8s. Even when all 9 are delivered, I doubt they could simultaneously maintain surveillance of the Channel and go sub hunting in the North. Maybe this is the point the RAF are try to m...
by Aethulwulf
11 Aug 2020, 12:21
Forum: Royal Air Force
Topic: Airbus A400M Atlas (RAF)
Replies: 392
Views: 155493
United Kingdom

Re: Airbus A400M Atlas (RAF)

These photos may help to answer why the A400M has been deployed in this role. After all, apart from eyeballs and fancy binoculars, it has little in the way of sensor to help detect very small surface craft. What it does have is size; it can be seen from a long way off. So maybe its primary role is t...
by Aethulwulf
03 Aug 2020, 02:07
Forum: Royal Navy
Topic: Future Solid Support Ship
Replies: 1972
Views: 547638
United Kingdom

Re: Future Solid Support Ship

Foreign firms could build new naval ships Ministry of Defence asks potential suppliers to consider taking part in the £1bn contract to build three Fleet Solid Support ships By Alan Tovey, INDUSTRY EDITOR 2 August 2020 • 4:53pm Foreign companies are being invited to take part in early plans to build ...
by Aethulwulf
26 Jul 2020, 22:04
Forum: Royal Navy
Topic: Type 26 Frigate (City Class) (RN) [News Only]
Replies: 5461
Views: 1465300
United Kingdom

Re: Type 26 Frigate (City Class) (RN) [News Only]

He appears to be showing off a bright yellow head crest, the summer mating season plumage. A second male can also be seen in the photo, who may be trying to encroach into the first male's territory. No doubt the dominant male will have issued out the haunting warning cry of the species, "Imm-go...
by Aethulwulf
26 Jul 2020, 17:39
Forum: Royal Navy
Topic: Queen Elizabeth Class Aircraft Carriers - News and Discussion
Replies: 15445
Views: 4410557
United Kingdom

Re: Queen Elizabeth Class Aircraft Carriers - News and Discussion

For that reason, I expect the UK will announce the purchase of a further 20-40 F35s, while still leaving open the possibility of more purchases later and keeping to the 138 total in theory. Only if / when the US decides to cut the numbers it is buying will it become politically acceptable for the UK...
by Aethulwulf
19 Jul 2020, 01:47
Forum: Royal Navy
Topic: Queen Elizabeth Class Aircraft Carriers - News and Discussion
Replies: 15445
Views: 4410557
United Kingdom

Re: Queen Elizabeth Class Aircraft Carriers - News and Discussion

The US experience of COD is that replacement engines are one of the most operationally important cargos. See https://www.thedrive.com/the-war-zone/16535/confessions-of-a-c-2-greyhound-carrier-onboard-delivery-pilot for a first hand account from a C2 Greyhound pilot. "During war fighting, aircra...
by Aethulwulf
18 Jul 2020, 20:50
Forum: Royal Navy
Topic: Queen Elizabeth Class Aircraft Carriers - News and Discussion
Replies: 15445
Views: 4410557
United Kingdom

Re: Queen Elizabeth Class Aircraft Carriers - News and Discussion

Just wondering if anyone has ever seen this image before...its a Faradair Hybrid STOL aircraft currently under development in the UK. 18 seat, 1100 mile range, 10,000lb cargo (3 x LD3 containers). Un-pressurised (15,000ft altitude) and is aiming for a $4m pricetag...operating costs of $600 per hour...
by Aethulwulf
18 Jul 2020, 19:20
Forum: Royal Navy
Topic: Queen Elizabeth Class Aircraft Carriers - News and Discussion
Replies: 15445
Views: 4410557
United Kingdom

Re: Queen Elizabeth Class Aircraft Carriers - News and Discussion

Ron5 wrote:Only a paper project so far I think. Dime a dozen.
Press release states first flight of prototype targeted for 2023/24...

...looks like lots of hurdles still to overcome before a prototype is built.
by Aethulwulf
17 Jul 2020, 08:48
Forum: Royal Navy
Topic: Queen Elizabeth Class Aircraft Carriers - News and Discussion
Replies: 15445
Views: 4410557
United Kingdom

Re: Queen Elizabeth Class Aircraft Carriers - News and Discussion

Top armed forces officers gagged by defence secretary Ben Wallace over aircraft carrier discussion It appears that Admiral Kidd (and others) have been told to stop... https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/top-armed-forces-officers-gagged-by-defence-secretary-ben-wallace-over-aircraft-carrier-discussio...
by Aethulwulf
15 Jul 2020, 15:58
Forum: Royal Navy
Topic: Type 26 Frigate (City Class) (RN) [News Only]
Replies: 5461
Views: 1465300
United Kingdom

Re: Type 26 Frigate (City Class) (RN) [News Only]

The contract for the second batch is expected to be awarded in 2022. However, given how difficult and protracted the contract negotiations with BAE were for the first batch, MOD is not being specific at this stage.
by Aethulwulf
14 Jul 2020, 23:37
Forum: Royal Navy
Topic: Queen Elizabeth Class Aircraft Carriers - News and Discussion
Replies: 15445
Views: 4410557
United Kingdom

Re: Queen Elizabeth Class Aircraft Carriers - News and Discussion

Admiral Kidd could be forgiven for being a bit surprised that an almost throwaway comment during a obscure webinar resulted in a front page story in the Times. When you get to Captain Kidd's level of seniority you really shouldn't do throwaway comments in a public forum. And I think the political c...
by Aethulwulf
14 Jul 2020, 20:26
Forum: Royal Navy
Topic: Queen Elizabeth Class Aircraft Carriers - News and Discussion
Replies: 15445
Views: 4410557
United Kingdom

Re: Queen Elizabeth Class Aircraft Carriers - News and Discussion

https://youtu.be/2kIm3A4rOHw This is the IISS Webinar that the whole Times article was based on, along with quotes from "defence sources". Admiral Kidd's comments about forward basing a carrier in the Indo-Pacific are an unscripted reply to a question. While he is very definite about the ...
by Aethulwulf
07 Jul 2020, 23:08
Forum: Royal Navy
Topic: Queen Elizabeth Class Aircraft Carriers - News and Discussion
Replies: 15445
Views: 4410557
United Kingdom

Re: Queen Elizabeth Class Aircraft Carriers - News and Discussion

HMS Defender was accepted back into the fleet in Summer 2018, following a refit that included the installation of the Shaman communications electronic support measures (CESM) fit to used to gather signals intelligence. HMS Diamond returned to sea a few days ago after completing a long maintenance pe...
by Aethulwulf
07 Jul 2020, 22:14
Forum: Royal Navy
Topic: Queen Elizabeth Class Aircraft Carriers - News and Discussion
Replies: 15445
Views: 4410557
United Kingdom

Re: Queen Elizabeth Class Aircraft Carriers - News and Discussion

The four escorts selected to accompany the CSG 2021 deployment are HMS Daring, HMS Defender, HMS Kent and HMS Richmond. https://twitter.com/navylookout/status/1280445769204596738?s=21 Nice, shame.about the airwing, though. Are both the T23 ASW? I'm somewhat doubtful if we could muster 4 escorts reg...
by Aethulwulf
05 Jul 2020, 19:46
Forum: Royal Navy
Topic: Current & Future Escorts - General Discussion
Replies: 19150
Views: 7058593
United Kingdom

Re: Current & Future Escorts - General Discussion

Just wouldn't surprise me that after the first batch there will be either a massive slow down (24months per ship) or cut to the numbers to help with the financial "black hole" Just thinking what would be an ok outcome, it would keep the workforce working, the politicians could spin that t...
by Aethulwulf
02 Jul 2020, 18:40
Forum: Royal Navy
Topic: Type 26 Frigate (City Class) (RN) [News Only]
Replies: 5461
Views: 1465300
United Kingdom

Re: Type 26 Frigate (City Class) (RN) [News Only]

Australian shipbuilder pushes back against reports of frigate design concerns The builder of the Royal Australian Navy’s new Hunter-class frigates has told Defense News that the ship’s design remains “within agreed weight and space envelopes,” despite a recent report in Australian media claiming re...
by Aethulwulf
01 Jul 2020, 15:58
Forum: Royal Navy
Topic: Queen Elizabeth Class Aircraft Carriers - News and Discussion
Replies: 15445
Views: 4410557
United Kingdom

Re: Queen Elizabeth Class Aircraft Carriers - News and Discussion

For CSG21, Jane's is reporting that Cdre Orchard (FAA Head) states the group will deploy with: 5 Crowsnest Merlin 4 Wildcat HM2, with Martlet, operating primarily on T45 and T23 1 Merlin HC4 (Plus F35s and Merlin HM2.) In addition, although Sea Venom IOC is delayed until 2022, some Sea Venom may be ...
by Aethulwulf
22 Jun 2020, 21:30
Forum: Royal Air Force
Topic: Eurofighter Typhoon (RAF)
Replies: 2804
Views: 764277
United Kingdom

Re: Eurofighter Typhoon (RAF)

Leonardo is the design authority for AESA Radar 0, which will be fitted to the aircraft for Kuwait, Qatar and initially Germany for their tranche 2 and 3 aircraft. Kuwait is expected to receive their first aircraft in September. Hensoldt will assume the role of design authority for Radar 1, which wi...
by Aethulwulf
22 Jun 2020, 20:05
Forum: Joint Service
Topic: AW159 Wildcat Helicopter (RN & AAC)
Replies: 488
Views: 211318
United Kingdom

Re: AW159 Wildcat Helicopter (RN & AAC)

You just have to look at the wing/fin designs of the two missiles. They are clearly designed for very different flight profiles. Very much doubt if Spear could fly 10 m altitude for sea skimming.
by Aethulwulf
22 Jun 2020, 18:47
Forum: Royal Air Force
Topic: Eurofighter Typhoon (RAF)
Replies: 2804
Views: 764277
United Kingdom

Re: Eurofighter Typhoon (RAF)

Leonardo UK builds the current Captor E-Scan. This baseline AESA is referred to as Radar Mk 0, and is the system slated for Kuwait and Qatar, as well as initially for Luftwaffe Tranche 2 and 3 Eurofighters. The E-Scan radar Mk1 will be built in Germany by HENSOLDT and will be retro-fitted to the Luf...
by Aethulwulf
22 Jun 2020, 11:16
Forum: Joint Service
Topic: AW159 Wildcat Helicopter (RN & AAC)
Replies: 488
Views: 211318
United Kingdom

Re: AW159 Wildcat Helicopter (RN & AAC)

Can some one help explain to me the logic of Sea Venom (100kg weapon, 30kg warhead, 25+km range) when the UK is about to bring into service SPEAR3 (100kg weapon, 30kg warhead, 140km range) which is also network enabled? Sea Venom is a sea skimming missile using passive infrared image tracking. It i...
by Aethulwulf
21 Jun 2020, 14:18
Forum: Royal Navy
Topic: Current & Future Coastal Forces - General Discussion
Replies: 40
Views: 13999
United Kingdom

Re: Current & Future Coastal Forces - General Discussion

Far more likely that such a UUV could be used for laying mines in shipping channels than attacking warships in harbours. Get an autonomous system to navigate over long distances, on its way in to the shallow waters of a harbour, taking into account tides and currents and avoiding other vessels, then...