Smokey wrote:More images can be found here:

https://resources.baesystems.com/pages/ ... 15ab8af275

The two drone .mp4 videos are especially good close up footage. Many angles that were not chosen to be made into stills. Thanks for the link.

Phil R

Those lighter patches on the flight deck are where the TMS was applied for F35 operations.

http://www.savetheroyalnavy.org/up-clos ... elizabeth/

Phil R

Pole mast is already lowered.

Phil R

The light grey areas are the parts of the deck covered with TMS (Thermal Metal Spray) for the F35 exhaust.

Phil R

Directive 2014/24/EU ensures that all public contracts over a threshold value are put out to EU wide tender process.
There are certian exemption criteria that can be invoked. UK Gov uses one of these criteria to keep complex warship design/construction a UK only tender process.

Phil R

It is a good photo, it gives a good sense of scale.
I still wish there was a red centre line on the flight deck.

Phil R

ArmChairCivvy wrote:So no circulation then? Until you step on the gas

Not no circulation, just that natural convection in the primary loop provides sufficient cooling (at low loads).

Phil R

Quite simply, this announcement has made my day.

Phil R

USS Mason targeted off the coast of Yemen, it appears that soft measures were effective.

http://www.reuters.com/article/us-yemen ... SKCN12A082

Phil R

Luckily no one was injured during this "learning experience" during the second flight.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-be ... s-37174417

Phil R

Small world arfah, i too saw that that Chinook whilst driving home Southend bound on the 127.

Phil R

Loving the anechoic two tone look.
Also in that last photo you can really appreciate the full size of the fin.

Phil R

http://www.expressen.se/nyheter/framman ... kt-vatten/

Wrecked mini-sub found well with Swedish territorial waters.
Cyrillic lettering visible on the outside of the hull.
I hope they raise the wreck.

This could be very embarrassing for Vlad.

Phil R

Realities aside and just for fun, what i would like to add to the RAF for £3000m:
C17 x7
A330 MRTT x 6
P1 x 12

Total Procurement Costs =£2950 m

Plugs one gap and significantly expands two useful capabilities.

Phil R

Astute Class x10 Vanguard Class x4 America Class (LHD version) x3 Karel Doorman Class x3 Type 26 x10 Type 45 x8 Black Swan Class x18 (Assuming mission modules work) Victoria Class x4 Total Procurement Costs =£31083 m Total Operational Costs =£1200 m My (in budget) fantasy fleet after a quick play wi...

Nothing has made my spine tingle more than the shear force of the sound from 4 Olympus engines roaring overhead at low level (500 ft). A sensation that I will never forget.

Phil R

I am now very confident that SDSR-15 will address the lack of MPA in a meaningful rather than token way. Radio 4 have just broadcast a five minute segment on a NATO ASW exersize in the North Sea. It is very rare for them to discuss the gaping holes in our defences, the need to rely on NATO partners ...

Michael Fallon to resume his position as Defence Secretary.

Phil R

Recommended read for those who are interested:
https://www.rusi.org/downloads/assets/W ... _Power.pdf

Phil R

Good idea to spit the Trident system from Successor SSBN.
D5LEP is progressing well and should ensure the system out to 2040.

Phil R

Go down to the archives and dig out the details of the British .280 from 1945.
Job jobbed.

Phil R

For Successor SSBN I am hoping for the B class:
1) Boadicea
2) Bellerophon
3) Banshee
4) Basilisk

Phil R

Another question is whether we stay with the current 5.56 calibre or start to move towards a new intermediate calibre?

Phil R

I hope (and wish) that SDSR15 will assess the potential threats faced by the UK, our overseas territories, crown dependencies and friendly countrys with which we have treaty obligations and state the capabilities required to meet these requirements and challenge the Treasury to fully fund them. Sadl...

I agree that P8 Poseidon is the logical choice, but i do like the interesting possibilities that Kawasaki P-1 would enable.