It's not only River B2. All RN asset lacks UAVs. But, in other words, once a UAV type is selected, many of the RN assets, including River B2 will carry it.Tempest414 wrote:great pic's above of the containers fitted shame she is not carrying a UAV to help give eyes on over the Horizon for anti drug or recon op's
By the way, I happen to find good "manned" helicopter.
How about EC145 T2, upgraded with "five bladed" rotor? A new plan to be certificated this spring, and be on sale within year. (See https://www.verticalmag.com/news/airbus ... 45-upgrade )
Importantly,
1: the blade is "foldable". Of course, manually, but it becomes very compact, as small as 11.7 x 2.7 x 4.0 m.
2: it also provides "another 150 kg" of useful loads.
3: the new "five (foldable) blades" system can be retrofitted to existing EC145T2s, also used in the UK "Defence Helicopter Flying School" (so the logistic problem is not large (anyway it is very popular helicopter and maintenance system surely exists around Caribbean sea.))
Looking at the River B2's waist, I guess adding a fixed, 12 m long, 4.5 m wide, and 4.5 m high hangar is doable. Also, UK can either ADD a few "new EC145T2 with five bladed rotors", or even PFI it, for operating onboard River B2. We do not need a fully equipped expensive Wildcat for APT(N). As EC145 is small, its maintenance load and operation crew will be not so large, and anyway will fit within the 50 troops accommodation area. EC145 can carry sniper (manned) and can be used for SAR operations as well as HADR.
The hanger, when not used, can be any kind of "garage" to carry ORC boats, USV/UAV/UUVs, or just for store.
Just a fantasy, I agree, but how about adding the hangar on hull 4 and 5 of River B2?