Queen Elizabeth Class Aircraft Carriers - News and Discussion

[SKB]

(Portsmouth Proud/Navy Lookout) 22nd March 2021

QE's arrival yesterday, Portsmouth. Lead by tug Apex (from S**th*mpt*n! ). SD Tempest only arrived back in Portsmouth at 07:00 today as it has a top speed of 13 kts (15 mph or 24 km/h)!

[Jensy]

Return of the Sea Vixen?



From Naval Technology: https://www.naval-technology.com/news/r ... rrier-uas/

The UK Royal Navy is exploring how a large fixed-wing uncrewed aerial system (UAS) could be used for strike and air-to-air refuelling missions as part of a future carrier air wing and maritime aviation force.

The conceptual work is being done under a programme called ‘Project Vixen’ that likely draws its name from the Royal Navy’s Sea Vixen carrier-based air defence fighter from the 1950s.

As it is only a conceptual project, the work on Project Vixen may not lead to any commitments to a future system.

Certainly fits in with the RFI for cats and traps.

Why none of this was in the Command Paper is anyone's guess... (Though perhaps suggests a slim likelihood of going forward).

[Ron5]

Return of the Sea Vixen?



From Naval Technology: https://www.naval-technology.com/news/r ... rrier-uas/

The UK Royal Navy is exploring how a large fixed-wing uncrewed aerial system (UAS) could be used for strike and air-to-air refuelling missions as part of a future carrier air wing and maritime aviation force.

The conceptual work is being done under a programme called ‘Project Vixen’ that likely draws its name from the Royal Navy’s Sea Vixen carrier-based air defence fighter from the 1950s.

As it is only a conceptual project, the work on Project Vixen may not lead to any commitments to a future system.

Certainly fits in with the RFI for cats and traps.

Why none of this was in the Command Paper is anyone's guess... (Though perhaps suggests a slim likelihood of going forward).

Excellent, excellent news, although as you said, they may have used up their entire budget producing the CGI. Which is very good. The UK does lead this particular segment of the defense industry by a country mile I'm talking about CGI generation if anyone is confused.

Shame its not the Aussie loyal wingman. I fear the Brits are making the mistake of thinking the interesting part is designing and manufacturing the airframe when it's really what goes inside that's key and should be focused on. Buy someone else's airframe and insert your unique innerds.

[Ron5]

I really enjoyed that. Good effort Colin. Thank you.

I very much agree. Who says the RAF has the best spotters??

Can't help thinking those silly cops slaloming away at 40 knots are going to see jack shit in the way of suspicious activity.

[SKB]

First Merlin Mk2 equipped with Crowsnest goes into service with RN


(Navy Lookout) 24th March 2021


More: https://www.navylookout.com/first-crows ... oyal-navy/
Crowsnest Thread: https://www.ukdefenceforum.net/viewtopic.php?f=41&t=739

[serge750]

She does look good

But talk about the "just in time" way of industry doing things

[Dahedd]

Looks good though I always liked the concept set of it mounted on the rear ramp

Hopefully in the future the radar could be carried aloft higher & longer by a UAV of some description.

[bobp]

Yes looks good, but also highlights the fact that there are not enough Merlin Helicopters to go round, to fulfil all the different roles required of it.

[Ron5]

Looks good though I always liked the concept set of it mounted on the rear ramp

Hopefully in the future the radar could be carried aloft higher & longer by a UAV of some description.

Merlin 2's do not have a rear ramp. You're thinking of Osprey AEW I suspect.

[Defiance]

Merlin 2's do not have a rear ramp. You're thinking of Osprey AEW I suspect.

He's referring to past concept art that showed the dome coming out of some sort of stern opening - see link for examples

https://www.thinkdefence.co.uk/2015/05/ ... -decision/

[serge750]

Would that be a commando merlin then ?

I do have to say i think the triangle dish on the osprey looks pretty good

[Jensy]

Would that be a commando merlin then ?

Short answer, yes.

However, as with anything Merlin related, there's a long twisted road leading to where we are now.

Once upon a time, when the carriers were still in a design stage, there was a requirement for a Future Organic Airborne Early Warning replacement for the Sea Kings. The, newly merged, AgustaWestland proposed a new-build Merlin ASaC variant, with compound wings to boost endurance, and an updated Searchwater 2000:

No one at the MoD or RN appears to have jumped at the concept. The E-2C was still in consideration, in case the carriers were fitted for cats and traps, and the V-22 AEW seemed a better option for a STOVL carrier:


The programme was relaunched as MASC (Maritime Airborne Surveillance snd Control) in 2005. Think V-22 was still in consideration but E-2 dropped as the carriers were configured for STOVL.

In 2010 Thales and, the now fully Italian, AgustaWestland offered a modular kit for the 25 ex-RAF HC1s and their ramps. Some suggestion there might have been new aircraft ordered or possibly rebuilding the (rampless) HM1s that never got upgraded:


Then came the 2010 Defence Massacre and the decision was made to use the HM2s instead. Was portrayed as the cheaper and easier option.

Judging by the time it's taken to get to service, and the loss of Ocean (or equivalent), probably the wrong choice.

[Ron5]

The story goes that Westlands used Hawker Hurricane wings as the source for the winged Merlin and borrowed a pair from a museum for measurements.

By the way, nice summary Jensy but I expect actual events were rather less joined up.

[Jensy]

The story goes that Westlands used Hawker Hurricane wings as the source for the winged Merlin and borrowed a pair from a museum for measurements.

By the way, nice summary Jensy but I expect actual events were rather less joined up.

I'd love that to be true, if for no other reason than bringing back the Merlin/Hurricane name combo! I wonder what would be required to fit the Wildcat's Weapon Wing in that position and give the HC4s the 'Hind treatment' for their new littoral taskings ... :

Yeah, very much an abbreviated overview I decided not to subject the thread/forum to a five page long 'Brief History of Medium UK Helicopter Procurement since 1981'!

Having come full circle, the cherry on the top would be if the carriers end up with means to launch and recover allied Hawkeyes, 18 years after it was ditched for the UK..

[PhillyJ]

Saw nipper for lunch today, he has been shifting live ammo on to the ship this week so I guess the locals in Turktown are restless.

[SKB]

(Forces News) 26th March 2021

A dedicated space specialist will soon be working onboard aircraft carrier HMS Queen Elizabeth, advising the Royal Navy on satellite communications.

It comes as the UK's first military Space Command is set to become operational next year – led by a former RAF pilot.

[Ron5]

I guess the locals in Turktown are restless

French fishermen?

[Scimitar54]

Frogmen?

[PhillyJ]

Frogmen?

Pompey harbour is Crabb free now!

[Jensy]

The Dutch are coming along for the ride:

[Scimitar54]

R09 in ‘23?

[Jensy]

R09 in ‘23?

Might be closer to home!

[Defiance]

Sounds good to me. I'm all for occasional deployments to the Far East (every 2-3 years?) but we shouldn't forget we have responsibilities nearer to home we can't ignore

[Scimitar54]

Quite,

That is why I referred to 2023!

[serge750]

Wasn't HMS Albions deployment to the pacific region in 2018 ? so maybe HMS POW in 23/24 sounds about right or maybe HMS Bulwark? maybe the french could participate with CdeG or a Mistral rather than just one of their submarines