Queen Elizabeth Class Aircraft Carriers - News and Discussion

Contains threads on Royal Navy equipment of the past, present and future.
serge750
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Re: Queen Elizabeth Class Aircraft Carriers - News and Discussion

Post by serge750 »

Haven't we got about 18 x F35 at the moment ? so just under half for the 21 CBG,

Maybe a deployment of POW in late 2022/23 with a total pool of around 30 x F35 or so in the uk fleet, so maybe more available then, I would expect the Bedford array on POW & the increase in trained pilots help with the tempo.

Scimitar54
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Re: Queen Elizabeth Class Aircraft Carriers - News and Discussion

Post by Scimitar54 »

Do not forget that we will be operational with “8 plus 8” in on HMS QE in ‘21. Not sure what the length of deployment will be, but I guess it is likely to be for around 6 months (from May). Some UK aircraft are also likely to be needed for Westlant 21 (HMS PoW) in Autumn ‘21 and Pilots will also need to be trained to increase F35 qualified aircrew (207 Sqn.). Eight UK F35 plus Eight USMC F35 on HMS QE in 2021 is reasonable in such circumstances and of course the operation of increased numbers of aircraft on the carrier needs to be a gradual process. Roll on the Standing-up of 809NAS in 2023. It is necessary to walk before one can run. :mrgreen:

PhillyJ
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Re: Queen Elizabeth Class Aircraft Carriers - News and Discussion

Post by PhillyJ »

serge750 wrote:I was actually hoping for a couple of Apache's - no operational benefit, but just because i like them :D
Offtopic but I was lucky enough to join a trip to Middle Wallop around the AAC Apache's with the aircrew who had flown them in Afghanistan. Interesting story on how the AAC decided to remove some equipment to add extra fuel tanks to our Apaches, the Taliban had worked out how long they could hang around before having to fly back for refuelling so hid until that time came...they got a surprise when ours came back after turning tail to make it look like they were off to refuel! Trip was arranged by the sadly now gone Vulcan to the Sky Club.

Scimitar54
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Re: Queen Elizabeth Class Aircraft Carriers - News and Discussion

Post by Scimitar54 »

Another potential benefit from having an organic A2A refuelling capability on the QEC Carriers! :mrgreen:

abc123
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Re: Queen Elizabeth Class Aircraft Carriers - News and Discussion

Post by abc123 »

About airgroup, no Apaches or/and Chinooks or Junglies Merlins permanently onboard?
Fortune favors brave sir, said Carrot cheerfully.
What's her position about heavily armed, well prepared and overmanned armies?
Oh, noone's ever heard of Fortune favoring them, sir.
According to General Tacticus, it's because they favor themselves…

Scimitar54
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Re: Queen Elizabeth Class Aircraft Carriers - News and Discussion

Post by Scimitar54 »

You would not want either the Apaches or Chinooks permanently aboard, as neither have been marinised. In addition unless the Chinooks have been fitted with Mechanically operated Folding Rotor Blades, they would occupy FAR too much space on both the Flight and Hangar Decks, even on a QEC (being operated as a Strike Carrier).

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clivestonehouse1
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Re: Queen Elizabeth Class Aircraft Carriers - News and Discussion

Post by clivestonehouse1 »

Apaches work well off ships (proven in strikes on Libya) but do have the problem of being high risk over water due to very poor ditching dynamics.
Their high effectiveness once over land is of course beyond reproach and extremely useful in support of opposed beach landings.

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swoop
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Re: Queen Elizabeth Class Aircraft Carriers - News and Discussion

Post by swoop »

serge750 wrote:I was actually hoping for a couple of Apache's - no operational benefit, but just because i like them :D
The US AH-64E Version 6 will be much more effective against sea going targets.
Whether or not the UK variant follows suit though...?

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RichardIC
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Re: Queen Elizabeth Class Aircraft Carriers - News and Discussion

Post by RichardIC »

clivestonehouse1 wrote:Apaches work well off ships (proven in strikes on Libya) but do have the problem of being high risk over water due to very poor ditching dynamics.

Max Jones
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Re: Queen Elizabeth Class Aircraft Carriers - News and Discussion

Post by Max Jones »

abc123 wrote:About airgroup, no Apaches or/and Chinooks or Junglies Merlins permanently onboard?
There will be a few Merlin Mk.4s for SAR and replenishment, though they will be on the auxiliary vessels rather than the carrier itself.

In terms of amphibious warfare (the LHD role) I don't think that's really going to be a part of this deployment anyway.

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Tempest414
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Re: Queen Elizabeth Class Aircraft Carriers - News and Discussion

Post by Tempest414 »

RichardIC wrote:
clivestonehouse1 wrote:Apaches work well off ships (proven in strikes on Libya) but do have the problem of being high risk over water due to very poor ditching dynamics.
I was due to be back at Wattisham in early Aug for a week however this might now be pushed back to Oct this year due to covid

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SKB
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Re: Queen Elizabeth Class Aircraft Carriers - News and Discussion

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serge750
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Re: Queen Elizabeth Class Aircraft Carriers - News and Discussion

Post by serge750 »

Any body got any ideas when the F35 will start flying from her deck again?

I was thinking maybe a week ( @7th onwards ) in Portsmouth to store up, then maybe the third week ( 15th onwards ) in june start the F35 flying work up/pilot training ???

Scimitar54
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Re: Queen Elizabeth Class Aircraft Carriers - News and Discussion

Post by Scimitar54 »

Need to allow time for CV19 Quarantine as well, so perhaps not until the 21st (Longest Day)! :mrgreen:

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SKB
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Re: Queen Elizabeth Class Aircraft Carriers - News and Discussion

Post by SKB »

Image
Image
Image
(@HMSQNLZ) 3rd June 2020
We conducted our first assessed night Replenishment At Sea with our old friend
@RFATideforce. Whilst others sleep, we replenish fuel in the deep.

PhillyJ
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Re: Queen Elizabeth Class Aircraft Carriers - News and Discussion

Post by PhillyJ »

I see QNLZ has 'Pompey Revs' on then. A lot going on tomorrow in the Harbour, HMCS Fredericton out at 0800 and HMS Westminster out at 0830 busy Tug Boats. 8-)


dmereifield
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Re: Queen Elizabeth Class Aircraft Carriers - News and Discussion

Post by dmereifield »

Presumably the jets are included in the "equipment"?

PhillyJ
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Re: Queen Elizabeth Class Aircraft Carriers - News and Discussion

Post by PhillyJ »

dmereifield wrote:Presumably the jets are included in the "equipment"?
I wish, would love to see the 617 F35B's flying over Pompey and landing on QNLZ in the harbour...but this is not likely to happen (in fact probably 100% will not) and they will embark out at sea. :(

Scimitar54
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Re: Queen Elizabeth Class Aircraft Carriers - News and Discussion

Post by Scimitar54 »

dmeriefield.
Depends if any of the 617 Sqdn. Personnel are bringing a copy of a certain recording by Elton John aboard in which case they will be accompanying “Benny”. :mrgreen:

SDL
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Re: Queen Elizabeth Class Aircraft Carriers - News and Discussion

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SKB
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Re: Queen Elizabeth Class Aircraft Carriers - News and Discussion

Post by SKB »

QE has entered Portsmouth Harbour, passing Round Tower at 11:17 BST.


Timmymagic
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Re: Queen Elizabeth Class Aircraft Carriers - News and Discussion

Post by Timmymagic »

Christ...have you seen the length of the spent cases discard tube on the front minigun.....must be 16ft long.

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RichardIC
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Re: Queen Elizabeth Class Aircraft Carriers - News and Discussion

Post by RichardIC »

Timmymagic wrote:Christ...have you seen the length of the spent cases discard tube on the front minigun.....must be 16ft long.
Better than 6,000 rpm worth of FOD!

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Re: Queen Elizabeth Class Aircraft Carriers - News and Discussion

Post by Timmymagic »

PhillyJ wrote:Interesting story on how the AAC decided to remove some equipment to add extra fuel tanks to our Apaches,
IIRC they can flex the amount of cannon ammo carried onboard Apache to increase the amount of fuel carried.
abc123 wrote:About airgroup, no Apaches or/and Chinooks or Junglies Merlins permanently onboard?
Merlin HC.4 look to be a near constant presence as they're allocated for the CSAR role, and can help with planeguard, HDS and vertrep.
But Apache and Chinook will be occasional visitors. Even though the E variant for Apache has some adaptations for the marine environment its still not a full marinisation. The lack of powered blade fold for both Apache and Chinook will always limit their operations onboard, if we were really serious about taking them along on a more permanent basis we'd have to address that and other marinisation issues.
swoop wrote:The US AH-64E Version 6 will be much more effective against sea going targets.
Whether or not the UK variant follows suit though...?
The UK will be getting the same standard as the US. UK differences will primarily be the radio fit (possible Brimstone and CRV-7 fit nonewithstanding).

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