UK Defence Forum

Old RN wrote:There are 15 F35Bs at Marham, so assuming you could get 12 deployed in emergency that would be a pretty effective force.

With a squadron of U.S. marines f35 would be more prudent.

(@Sebh1981)
PoW gets her Three Feathers.



(@MaritimePhotos)

The last thing we would want to do is send the QE anywhere near someone who might try to put holes in her especially the Gulf. A Squadron of Typhoons would be far more use.

Lord Jim wrote:The last thing we would want to do is send the QE anywhere near someone who might try to put holes in her especially the Gulf. A Squadron of Typhoons would be far more use.

Apparently there were 2 Wildcats (armed with 50 cal guns and other goodies) based in the area but they were shipped back home in a C17 recently.

QE is now bows south.


(@BibbysBoutique)

SKB wrote:QE is now bows south.

...boo, they could have kept whatever part of the Harrier was on her bow for a while!

(PortsHistDockyard) 23rd July 2019

HMS Queen Elizabeth recently changed direction and we recorded every minute of it - just sped up by 6000%. If you were lucky enough to see it in action, you were one of the few.

Old RN wrote:There are 15 F35Bs at Marham, so assuming you could get 12 deployed in emergency that would be a pretty effective force.

Real issue is which pilots are qualified for it, I feel. Only a couple have actually operated on QE thus far I feel. Going from "never touched the ship before" to "launching into combat" is a big jump.

One of the key issues, given Iranian tactics, would be to get her third Phalanx and 4 x 30mm mountings installed (with Martlett?).

Lord Jim wrote:The last thing we would want to do is send the QE anywhere near someone who might try to put holes in her especially them

QE wouldn't be in the Gulf. It'd use the same thing the Americans do, which is lurk around the entrance to it, well out of range, and use the range of the carrier to launch strikes. Remember just how far planes can go.

RetroSicotte wrote:

Old RN wrote:There are 15 F35Bs at Marham, so assuming you could get 12 deployed in emergency that would be a pretty effective force.

Real issue is which pilots are qualified for it, I feel. Only a couple have actually operated on QE thus far I feel. Going from "never touched the ship before" to "launching into combat" is a big jump.

One of the key issues, given Iranian tactics, would be to get her third Phalanx and 4 x 30mm mountings installed (with Martlett?).

Lord Jim wrote:The last thing we would want to do is send the QE anywhere near someone who might try to put holes in her especially them

QE wouldn't be in the Gulf. It'd use the same thing the Americans do, which is lurk around the entrance to it, well out of range, and use the range of the carrier to launch strikes. Remember just how far planes can go.

Also, what weapons are integrated on F-35 now? Just ASRAAMs and AMRAAMS?

Another problem are AEW helicopters, could Crowsnest produce at least 3-4 with crews trained to use them?

Recorded on Monday 15th July 2019:

(Razorback Max) 24th July 2019

HMS Queen Elizabeth at Portsmouth Harbour. Filmed as I was heading across to Normandy on the Ferry, the HMS Queen Elizabeth is absolutely gigantic and absolutely breath taking when you first see her. She is without doubt the most beautiful ship I have ever seen. Enjoy

ITS Cavour (C550) next ship to conduct trials with F-35Bs in 2020.

Link: http://seawaves.com/2019/07/23/cavour-b ... b-upgrade/

abc123 wrote:Also, what weapons are integrated on F-35 now? Just ASRAAMs and AMRAAMS?

And Paveway IV. They've been flying over Syria with them.

RetroSicotte wrote:

abc123 wrote:Also, what weapons are integrated on F-35 now? Just ASRAAMs and AMRAAMS?

And Paveway IV. They've been flying over Syria with them.

Not a bad combination.One of the joys of the F35 program is that all the planes are the same so in emergency the UK could buy any currently qualified weapons and deploy them immediately - such as AIM9X or SDB?

Old RN wrote:Not a bad combination.One of the joys of the F35 program is that all the planes are the same so in emergency the UK could buy any currently qualified weapons and deploy them immediately - such as AIM9X or SDB?

"Immediately" is relative. People still need trained on new munitions.

Old RN wrote:

RetroSicotte wrote:

abc123 wrote:Also, what weapons are integrated on F-35 now? Just ASRAAMs and AMRAAMS?

And Paveway IV. They've been flying over Syria with them.

Not a bad combination.One of the joys of the F35 program is that all the planes are the same so in emergency the UK could buy any currently qualified weapons and deploy them immediately - such as AIM9X or SDB?

I wouldn't say they were all the same.

whitelancer wrote: "While (HMS) Indefatigable was still conducting builder's trials, a de Havilland Mosquito landed aboard on 25 March 1944, piloted by Lieutenant Eric Brown. This was the first landing by a twin-engined aeroplane on a carrier."

Sorry I know this is slightly OT, but this seems to be the most relevant thread: Came across a short YT video on exactly this. Well worth a watch if you've not seen it:

Brown's autobiography 'Wings on my Sleeve' is a great read and sort of relevant to this thread given his work on experimental carrier landings. Hearing him speak so lucidly brings the book to life.

Highlights video (14 minutes) of Westlant 18. Sound is a bit low.

A good Navy Lookout article about the history of ski jump ramps:
https://www.savetheroyalnavy.org/royal- ... a-history/

Got to be getting close to the Prince of Wales going on sea trials?

Interesting article

An earlier takeoff by Eugene Ely november 14th 1911 from USS Birmingham
https://airandspace.si.edu/multimedia-g ... 2010640jpg

Jdam wrote:Got to be getting close to the Prince of Wales going on sea trials?

Yep, it is.

https://www.fifetoday.co.uk/business/45 ... -1-4983775