UK Defence Forum

I was refering to the "Protector" or mq-9 with a twenty metre wingspan that had benn raised for its endurance ,I believe an advantage of using an f35b with extra fuel tanks even though not stealthy would have significantly better sensors than any uav and would be easier on the ships logistics ,of Crowsnest equipped helicopters will also be deployed from the crriers believed this year ,I cant speculate on the capabilities of Crowsnest and how its complementry to the f35 in sensor abilities
The article below suggests that the F35 can detect ballistic misssile launches which could be handy in an aircraft from its ship which may be the target of such ,but this is all just speculation of course
https://nationalinterest.org/blog/buzz/ ... iles-79426

Considering that the RN can't fund a few Boeing Scan Eagle small and simple UAVs all this talk is a moot point.

Its not possible to compare uavs and their unit prices are likely confidential Im sure if the U.S.M.C got serious about drop tanks or conformal tanks for their f35b the R.N would certainly be interested would expect other countries flying the f35b to also be involved to bring costs down ,I have posted this on the carrier thread as having an enhanced range for the f35b is critical for the carrier and may not be so important when operated on land bases
https://www.nationaldefensemagazine.org ... s-for-f-35

An onboard A2A refuelling capability would, as I have posted previously be far better than either drop or conformal tanks as it would not restrict F35B MTOW.

Agree thats a great option , but I can not find any news on this since this earlier article
https://ukdefencejournal.org.uk/shipbor ... -carriers/

(Nick Francis) 9th April 2020

HMS Queen Elizabeth “clapping” for carers.
#clappingforcarers

And from PoW too:

The Sunday Times reporting that HMS Queen Elizabeth will sail on April 27.

With the events on other naval carriers concerning the virus is there a testing regime before the crew embarks ?

Just some lockdown missing but going back to the ISR requirement up thread any consideration that you may get a Britten Norman defender on and off a carrier to conduct such missions.

SW1 wrote:Just some lockdown missing but going back to the ISR requirement up thread any consideration that you may get a Britten Norman defender on and off a carrier to conduct such missions.

As opposed to Merlin with or without Crowsnest or an F-35B? I don't think so.

SKB wrote:(Nick Francis) 9th April 2020

HMS Queen Elizabeth “clapping” for carers.
#clappingforcarers

Heard them from the house in Fareham as we were out clapping, my nipper said it was quite emotional hearing all the ships horns, he was pretty sure all RN ships in port sounded theirs.

An interesting post from Xavier for all those that think the RN should acquire this capability ..

https://www.navalnews.com/naval-news/20 ... rettyPhoto

Ron5 wrote:An interesting post from Xavier for all those that think the RN should acquire this capability ..

https://www.navalnews.com/naval-news/20 ... rettyPhoto

USMC should soon have a few they don't need...

Ron5 wrote:An interesting post from Xavier for all those that think the RN should acquire this capability ..

Thanks for posting Ron, not only was the article interseting but I got to see a pic of a Greyhound in flight which I haven't seen for ages!

Repulse wrote:The Sunday Times reporting that HMS Queen Elizabeth will sail on April 27.

My nipper said that is still what he heard, end of April. He is off ship from today for 2 weeks as they are alternating Port/Starboard crews for duty, but staying at his Sisters as my Wife and youngest Daughter both suffer from Asthma so not worth risking it...not that we do not like our eldest Daughter (!) but her husband-to-be (unfortunately they had to postpone their wedding which was supposed to be 2 weekends ago) is in the Army and back and forth to local camp anyhow.

PhillyJ wrote:

Repulse wrote:The Sunday Times reporting that HMS Queen Elizabeth will sail on April 27.

My nipper said that is still what he heard, end of April. He is off ship from today for 2 weeks as they are alternating Port/Starboard crews for duty, but staying at his Sisters as my Wife and youngest Daughter both suffer from Asthma so not worth risking it...not that we do not like our eldest Daughter (!) but her husband-to-be (unfortunately they had to postpone their wedding which was supposed to be 2 weekends ago) is in the Army and back and forth to local camp anyhow.

Do you why they are sailing? I heard it was related to training but I'm not sure if that means more sea trials, pilot qualifications or something completely unrelated.

Definitely training mission for QE. Suspect more carrier qualifications for aircrew, plus carrier crew exercises.

Is there any information on the "Prewetting "system used on the Queen Elizabeth carriers , this is a system that was originally used to wash off nuclear and chemical weapon residue but later found to be useful to assist in masking the infrared red signature
http://www.leongalle.com/Documents/Gall ... atures.pdf
It would be interesting to to know the amount of water sprayed as a mist on the ship there have been some good pictures on twitter I cant though recall if these were on the forum or as a discussion about this

bobp wrote:Definitely training mission for QE. Suspect more carrier qualifications for aircrew, plus carrier crew exercises.

The Navy previously stated that QE will be in a period of basic operational training until CSG Exercise Crimson Ocean in June. And then, in the Fall the entire CS group will exercise together prior to their certification in early 2021.

seaspear wrote:Is there any information on the "Prewetting "system used on the Queen Elizabeth carriers

USS George H.W. Bush (CVN-77)


HMS Illustrious (R06)

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/live:bbc_radio_fourfm

Interview on C-19 on aircraft carriers in general and QEs in particular at 16:54. Will be available on play again later.

Thanks S.K.B the film footage of the demonstration of fire fighting was interesting ,the footage of the Prewetting with fine mist spray on the Illustrious was what I meant , this had some measure of signature reduction providing a slight cloud over some of the ship how this would go though if had to be activated after repeated aircraft activity on a hot thermion deck , could be a bit steamy

(@WarshipPorn/reddit) 12th April 2020

HMS Queen Elizabeth testing her pre wet system

Nice picture probaby the aftermath of the spray which would also be another good picture