UK Defence Forum

New ACA video

Fast Cruise today for a week.
Window for sea 21-28 June

An ACA spokesperson told the UK Defence Journal via email earlier:

"The Ship’s Company is now living on board the HMS QUEEN ELIZABETH and working with industry colleagues to prepare for maiden sea trials in the summer as well as undertaking a period of training.

The Training Cruise is part of this training programme and, whilst alongside, exercises a number of scenarios which the Ship’s Company may experience at sea."

Training cruise = fast cruise in this case.

KyleG wrote:SD Tempest officially named

Does anyone have information on the purpose of the cladding (rectangular plates) which has been fitted to the forward island? Is this armour plating?

gandalf wrote:Does anyone have information on the purpose of the cladding (rectangular plates) which has been fitted to the forward island? Is this armour plating?

It's just the stressed skin, typical of most vessels now. It's more obvious because of the size.

SKB wrote:

KyleG wrote:SD Tempest officially named

For anyone on Twitter, it's well worth following Rob Hinton (@TugmasterRob) as he works for Serco Marine * as a Tug Master (funnily enough), has been trained to command SD Tempest and he has rehearsed QEs entry into Portsmouth!

* Proud to say he and I work for the same company!

gandalf wrote:Does anyone have information on the purpose of the cladding (rectangular plates) which has been fitted to the forward island? Is this armour plating?

I would be pretty sure it isn't stressed steel as suggested.
It is most definitely some sort of cladding. When you look at the areas it is could it be possibly something to do with the radars.

The Nimitz and ford classes are better
GO CVN72
USA USA USA USA USA

bubby wrote:The Nimitz and ford classes are better
GO CVN72
USA USA USA USA USA

For what 6 times the cost? I would hope so!

bubby wrote:The Nimitz and ford classes are better
GO CVN72
USA USA USA USA USA

As you are a foreigner we will make allowances for your poor grasp of the English language. But the word you are looking for is "bigger", not "better"

HTH

10x fully equipped CVN's. Excellent.

I prefer an NHS tbh

Ebro wrote:Fast Cruise today for a week.
Window for sea 21-28 June

Humour me please? What's a fast cruise if she does not sail?

Not being provocative, just asking.

The "fast cruise" is described here: https://ukdefencejournal.org.uk/hms-que ... ng-cruise/

rbw91 wrote:Humour me please? What's a fast cruise if she does not sail?

Not being provocative, just asking.

Naval term. Shortened form of "made fast" as in tied up alongside. Essentially a practice run of procedures without leaving the wall.

Roberto wrote:

gandalf wrote:Does anyone have information on the purpose of the cladding (rectangular plates) which has been fitted to the forward island? Is this armour plating?

I would be pretty sure it isn't stressed steel as suggested.
It is most definitely some sort of cladding. When you look at the areas it is could it be possibly something to do with the radars.

Roberto wrote:

gandalf wrote:Does anyone have information on the purpose of the cladding (rectangular plates) which has been fitted to the forward island? Is this armour plating?

Thanks for your replies Timmymagic and Roberto.

There seems to be a divergence of opinion re. the purpose of the cladding on the forward island. Enigmatically - I wonder if this is something you might be able to resolve (providing this doesn't compromise confidentiality)?

What it is not is armour or steel cladding.
It serves a specific purpose and has been used for years on all RN warships. Can't tell you what it is, ( I do know) but it doesn't need to be publicised.

Look to images of former ships being towed out of Pompey. You may notice that their superstructureshave been stripped ! This may indicate that the panels were removed before going to Turkey, which is Defo the case as this stuff is very not in the public domain.

Well all that sounds very RAM.

Many thanks Ebro. Much appreciated.

WhiteWhale wrote:Well all that sounds very RAM.

Nah. It's Kingspan. Keeps the heating bill down. Each Island has an A class energy efficiency rating.

Could it be some kind of stealthy cladding to minimize the heat signature? Afterall, this cladding appears to be fitted around near the funnels.

SKB wrote:Could it be some kind of stealthy cladding to minimize the heat signature? Afterall, this cladding appears to be fitted around near the funnels.

I would have thought that it would be better to put the insulation around the funnel itself rather then trapping it all in the island with the crew!

Its not near the funnels, its near the radars, specifically its where all the power electronics and processing cabinets sit.

Its not uncommon to armour compartments or mission critical equipment to prevent a ‘cheap kill’.