(Navy Lookout/RFA Tideforce) 11th November 2019
Jet takes off from HMS Queen Elizabeth while Replenishment at Sea underway with RFA Tideforce
Jet takes off from HMS Queen Elizabeth while Replenishment at Sea underway with RFA Tideforce
Don't forget that the flight trials start with a very small, conservative flight envelope and gradually expand it through flying different profiles. Not only would they want the first attempt to be within the permitted envelope for safety reasons but they also needed need it to match the test perimeters so that they can reliably draw conclusions from the data. Coming in too high, too low, too slow, too fast in the early attempts could render the data useless.cockneyjock1974 wrote:I take it from episode 3, SRVL is a tricky one. Or perhaps artistic licence from the director. Is it the case that SRVL can only be performed in calm seas/weather or were they playing it cautious?
If anybody can throw some light on this, it would be good. I just hope it’s not a red hearing. I Just feel it should be the norm for QE class landings, engine wear and tear alone.
I'm guessing , but I suspect the bad weather was a little early for an SRVL in bad weather. They did mention 20 SRVL's in the programme so its more than likely that they have primarily been done with regard to different speeds, different wind of deck etc. Its doubtful if they were confident enough with those limited number of flights to try much heavier weights or adverse conditions. Be interesting to see if they attempted it at night though.cpu121 wrote:In the later stages of testing they can sometimes skip ahead - e.g. when they exploited the bad weather in the previous episode to demonstrate capability in a higher sea state than was planned for that stage of testing.
Welcome to the Queen Elizabeth Carrier Strike Group, USS Philippine Sea and USS Truxtun @USNavy. The Ticonderoga-class guided missile cruiser and Arleigh Burke-class destroyer have joined us as #UKF35 jet trials continue in the USA
I notice from the latest photos there are no skid marks from tyres on the deck which would indicate there have been no SRVL landings so far this trip.cockneyjock1974 wrote:Thanks for the replies, my naivety, of course they’ll play it safe to start with and as per strict parameters. A question I’ve long thought about and will probably never know due to OPSEC reasons, is can a fully laden (fuel & weapons) F35B take off from the deck of the QE class? If so I would imagine take off would be much closer to the stern.
The RN are being very thorough in going through the family photo album and recreating the most treasured images.SKB wrote:Photos for above post by jcs1959
You must be thinking of the Forts, actually. And we don't really know how many helos would be on the new Solid Support Ships. I think 2-3 Merlin spaces will still be in the requirement.Perhaps also an explanation to why the number of helos carried on the latest batch of tankers has gone lower in priorities