I don’t buy any of this vessels don’t need hangers as we have loads already, any vessel operating out side of UK or BOS waters should have at least a wildcat hanger IMO.Repulse wrote:The T31 does impact the decision - including the T31s and the RFAs, there is now planned hangar capacity for close 50 helicopters, that is not including the CVFs and any future FLSS. Adding more hangar space in itself is not a reason when there is more than enough already.shark bait wrote:The T31 decision has no effect on this; a T31 does not change how incredibly useful and organic helicopter is.
There are plenty of helicopters; the Navy has 28 wildcat at their disposal to spread between 17 active combatants.
I’m not suggesting a navy, as above with the carriers and future FLSS there is capacity for 170+ air assets. Think about these ships operating in U.K. waters, Falklands, the Med or the Gulf there are fully equipped air fields where air assets can Lilli pad or operate for short times of the existing flight deck.shark bait wrote:The whole point of a Navy is they can operate without fixed infrastructure. Suggesting a navy should only operate where there are land bases is stupid.
If the B2s become the new C3 then they will be more capable minor warships deploying first rate off board systems. I can think of occasions where a RFA Tanker could be escorted by a B2, or where a group of B2s with a RFA asset like Victoria could protect a convoy.shark bait wrote:If the patrol boat has to be paired with an auxiliary to be effective, just save all the money and leave the patrol boat at home
This is where the off board systems, including UAVs are the game changer.shark bait wrote:Without organic aviation the River Class will never be good for anything other than flag waving, or the most basic security operations. Without a helicopter the OPV's are just small slow ships with a tiny sphere of influence.
It’s not about how many spaces we have over all it’s about having the needed space available when needed. It’s all well and good saying we’ll have 170 space between QEs and LSS but they won’t always be where needed when needed.
I would much rather have a hanger empty 80% of the time but there when need than not have it at all.