UK Defence Forum

(ON THE ROGER) 28 January 2020

At least two planes, identified as BK11 (ZM145) and BK15 (ZM149)

Got to say I think the flight deck guy who just grabs a tie down and hangs on might have the better approach...

The popularity of the DAVE-B's must be spreading. Singapore has signed up for a squadron.
Potentially a good stopping point on a World Cruise to show the flag, and conduct some op's with the Singaporean AF?

swoop wrote:The popularity of the DAVE-B's must be spreading. Singapore has signed up for a squadron.
Potentially a good stopping point on a World Cruise to show the flag, and conduct some op's with the Singaporean AF?

I actually wonder why Israel, Poland and S. Korea didn't buy it as well.

I think South Korea are, if not definitely then at least looking at it for their new LHD's.

This article from last march may address many of the reasons for Singapores choice of the F35B
https://www.lowyinstitute.org/the-inter ... t-purchase
Singapore also has the Aster 30 providing another layer of defence inits anti missile capability
https://www.defensenews.com/land/2018/0 ... ideo-post/

Well she's got one that works

^ That's the Phalanx on the portside stern sponson if anyone's wondering.

There was a previous test last year on 7/7/2019 where both were tested. And before its asked again, QE will get her third Phalanx 'by the end of 2020'.

I wonder if it was possible to attach a three or five round LMM bundle to a Phalanx mount, adaption the EO system for guidance. Obviously they would not be fired in full auto mode, but rather in cases where the Phalanx was being manually target surface contacts.

Lord Jim wrote:I wonder if it was possible to attach a three or five round LMM bundle to a Phalanx mount, adaption the EO system for guidance. Obviously they would not be fired in full auto mode, but rather in cases where the Phalanx was being manually target surface contacts.

Why when they can have an already proven LMM mount?

You have a point there. I assume you are talking about the remote 30mm + LMM mount trialled on the T-23. The benefit of using a Phalanx mount is that it has the EO sensor on the mount rather than relying on a separate system which may help on some platforms such as RFA or possibly the B2 Rivers if they operated in a conflict zone. Always good to have options already thought through when you actually need them.

Not sure where to post, Admin please move if appropriate

Telegraph last Thursday, 1st Sea Lord Adm Radakin plans for RN, interesting, some to be welcomed, others controversial and some news on drones.

In a cost saving drive aiming to reduce Portsmouth headquarters count by half, 1,000, onto ships and bases, reduce Admirals from thirteen to eight.

“We are redesigning our headquarters so that we have a flatter structure and we empower high quality people to take decisions and quite simply to get on with stuff.” “We would send them back to work on a ship, while their jobs would be done by either reducing the rank that it’s done at or we would potentially civilianise them.” 

Citing the Danish navy’s Huitfeldt class of frigates, he said: “They have only three different grades of engineer on board. We have nine different grades. So can we get flatter, leaner and more efficient? 

“Can we slow down or even stop the constant churn that we have in our personnel structures?  The Navy says their current personnel deficit against the workforce requirement is 5.2 per cent, or 1,500 people. They have only increased the number of regular forces by 100 since October 2016. In 2000, Britain had 39,000 sailors. It now has just over 30,000. In 1990, the government spent about four per cent on defence, while that is now closer to two per cent. Today, the Navy has 77 commissioned vessels, including six destroyers, 13 frigates and 10 submarines. 30 years ago, it had 138 ships and 33 submarines.

Another shot was fired across the bows by Dominic Cummings, the Prime Minister’s chief special advisor, who described the procurement of Britain’s new aircraft carriers, HMS Queen Elizabeth II and HMS Prince of Wales as “a farce” and said “they have built platforms that already cannot be sent to a serious war against a serious enemy."

Adm Radakin also announced plans to test “large drones” on aircraft carriers for the first time next year. In the future, the Navy wants to be able to launch and land devices that could undertake reconnaissance missions and also deploy missiles.

Full text
From <https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2020/0 ... edeployed/>

Back in Invergordon again for some fuel, and a run ashore...

Portsmouth doesn't count?

Shame the photo shows her on her First (or second) visit, No Heat Resistant Deck Coating!

NickC wrote:Adm Radakin also announced plans to test “large drones” on aircraft carriers for the first time next year. In the future, the Navy wants to be able to launch and land devices that could undertake reconnaissance missions and also deploy missiles.

He announced a desire/hope/target/challenge but most definitely not a plan.

NickC wrote: Another shot was fired across the bows by Dominic Cummings, the Prime Minister’s chief special advisor, who described the procurement of Britain’s new aircraft carriers, HMS Queen Elizabeth II and HMS Prince of Wales as “a farce” and said “they have built platforms that already cannot be sent to a serious war against a serious enemy."

As noted before, mad as a box of frogs. His claims no doubt still supported by his belief that any teenager could sink either carrier using a toy drone bought at a neighborhood store.

If he persists in that view, then his “high profile” career will soon be sunk.

In fact our carriers were Catobar, he should be launched in a gaming chair and see whether during his brief flight time he could so disable the launching carrier with a toy drone taking off from it’s deck.

Inevitable result: An early bath for him and a Still functioning Carrier.

F-35B Lightning BK11 (ZM145) currently on the QE, was in last night's Top Gear, re-doing the old Richard Hammond in car vs RAF Typhoon thing.

PWLS turning bows south tomorrow lunchtime at 1300.

21 1300 HMS PRINCE OF WALES PRJ WIND SHIP BOWS S T TEMPEST, INDULGENT, INDEPENDENT, POWERFUL, SUZANNE, CHRISTINA MR A BANNISTER

If anyone is around and about in Liverpool at the end of the month.

You mean I have to go to Liverpool to go aboard as a visitor, on a ship class that's based in my own home city and has never been open to the public?!
Pfft...

SKB wrote:You mean I have to go to Liverpool to go aboard as a visitor, on a ship class that's based in my own home city and has never been open to the public?!
Pfft...

Fraid so, it's like when you see all the other RN ships opening their gangways when visiting national and foreign ports, yet people in Pompey and Plymouth get limited access to them. How I miss Navy Days, mind you, the RN dockyard was a lot more accessible in those days.

I replied to that tweet to ask if they will be doing a Portsmouth open day, so if lots of peeps tweet.... does look likely IMO to publicise great Britain's global ambitions or maybe they think Portsmouth would be to busy !