Like I've said before, there needs to be a full, open and unbiased NATO trial for a new calibre. The last 2 have been US biased and haven't really been successful, lets try and avoid the hat-trick. If penetration is the primary concern then long thin projectiles driven at high velocity is the way t...

The 6.8x51 at those pressures is a complete dead end. It will cause no end of trouble. And yet it's being adopted quite widely by the USA... it's being adopted quite widely by the USA..." Can you quote examples as have seen none other than the US Army. The Sig Sauer XM7 and XM250 with the 6.8m...

When the Tempest program starts showing its full potential late this decade or early 2030, perhaps the raf will offer up lightnings to the RN in exchange for the funds for the potential xtra f35b to be transfered to tempest product airframes.....but if the FAA get the 48 f35b that will a huge drain...

Totally agree with the above as an end state. Predicting there are going to be some delicate trade offs around timing. In terms of the last 27 I think we have already missed lot 18 and 19 which are in the 2026-28 delivery space. That window is gone. Lot 20 seems to be a different ball game as it is...

Guesstimate of hope : . Joint RN-RAF loyal wingman programme, for what protector is for an uncontested environment, this is for contested. Focus on numbers and affordability. . 74 Bravo lightnings, split RN-RAF ops pre-tempest, all transferred to RN post tempest. . Tempest in volume replacing both ...

Yes I was, sorry I should have been more clear... In a previous post you said 2030, that's a little over 6 years away. You implied that we should just go with the 6.8, an unproven, experimental round. Could you expand on your second point, as I'm not sure what point you're trying to make. Morning L...

Little J wrote: ↑22 Sep 2023, 19:00 lol... You want to change to 6.8 but not 6.5???

Sorry, are you referring to me??

I'm not advocating a change of calibre yet, not for another 10 or so years

Secondly, there is a huge difference in energy between 6.5 and 6.8x51mm.

It's a drain on logistics is the obvious reason why. He wasn't criticising the round itself. If the LMG's are equipped with 7.62 what is going to happen when the designated marksman needs resupplied with 6.5 and all he can find is crates of 7.62? Now I didn't see that one coming, a curious decision...

I totally agree, however, we all know F35A is waiting in the wings as the runner up prize if GCAP gets cancelled.... The nonsense about integrating UK technology is just that, nonsense! Stray too far from the path and the development costs to the UK of a hypothetical 'F35UK would rapidly get out of...

Sounds like Justin Bronk was on a soapbox at DSEI: https://twitter.com/NavyLookout/status/1704883235526775158?s=20 I've gone on a twitter rant about this, which I'll save you good people from. However I cannot see a single positive argument for this, that is unless you have some Lockheed stock. Lik...

Very interesting, especially this part. In this sense, the RN is not seeking a replacement for Type 45 as such, but an upgrade to its capabilities. Intriguing. LIFEX for T45? Not a problem due to light use of the T45’s. Govan would need a third batch of T26 to maintain the drum beat. It's blatantly...

I understand that Spain will need F-35B for its carrier. I wonder if the forthcoming Typhoon order means that Spain will not be ordering any F-35A as Hornets are retired at the end of the decade but rather replace them with Typhoon. I presume that outcome would make FCAS partner Germany happier. Th...

Poiuytrewq wrote: ↑19 Sep 2023, 17:00 Hopefully a step in the right direction.

Probably best to start with the hot water.

https://www.gov.uk/government/news/defe ... -personnel

Quite, absolutely bloody disgraceful isn't it.....

One could argue that if the RN is going all in on CEPP then a 3rd flattop in the 230 by 40 meter range is a must as we would need one in full strike mode and a second in LHA so 3 flattops are needed to maintain 2 ready anything else would be a bodge I think this argument does make sense, and should...

…it's giving up any ability to move equipment from ship to shore without permanent infrastructure, and it relegates the Royal Marines to a maritime security force with a small air mobile infantry unit. Completely disagree here. Not sure how you came to this conclusion? If RN is intending to use the...

I understand that Spain will need F-35B for its carrier. I wonder if the forthcoming Typhoon order means that Spain will not be ordering any F-35A as Hornets are retired at the end of the decade but rather replace them with Typhoon. I presume that outcome would make FCAS partner Germany happier. It...

I think that 70 knots is taking into account the ship going full tilt at 25 KTS into the wind on an SRVL approach, so even on the odd mill pond day, the F35 will be coming down the slope at 70 kts, touch down will actually be at 45kts deck speed. That's a gentle brake to halt for the B model, but o...

Of course, what should be happening is a cross party concesus on GCAP. It's incredibly important for so many excellent reasons. By the time the next government is finding its feet, the GCAP contract will be negotiated, fixed and with all parties going into signing imminent. Unless they go full TSR2...

How fast is F-35B in SRVL? In the landing? 70 knots has been mentioned before. I think that 70 knots is taking into account the ship going full tilt at 25 KTS into the wind on an SRVL approach, so even on the odd mill pond day, the F35 will be coming down the slope at 70 kts, touch down will actual...

Everyone that could order a 6th generation is in the team making process. As by now hypothesis since they keep changing Germany <- Korea -> UAE as the latest news ( UK + ITA + JAP ) <- KSA France -> India (this is my hypothesis and all starting from SCAF not going very far) NGAD+ Israel since the K...

Everyone that could order a 6th generation is in the team making process. As by now hypothesis since they keep changing Germany <- Korea -> UAE as the latest news ( UK + ITA + JAP ) <- KSA France -> India (this is my hypothesis and all starting from SCAF not going very far) NGAD+ Israel since the K...

the 3rd, 5th/6th and 8th/9th largest economies, with massive defence budgets and highly skilled defence industries, can do it if they want to. They certainly don't need 2-3 more G20 economies to make the numbers add up Completely disagree. Lots of optimism with Tempest but very little of the overal...

I think of we can bring in Saudi Arabia and they inject another 5 billion, we will have enough to launch. I think 40 billion is a realistic programme cost 15 billion each Japan and the UK 5 billion each Italy and Saudi Arabia. The UK is going to have to dig very deep to find 15 billion, no doubt ab...

Everyone that could order a 6th generation is in the team making process. As by now hypothesis since they keep changing Germany <- Korea -> UAE as the latest news ( UK + ITA + JAP ) <- KSA France -> India (this is my hypothesis and all starting from SCAF not going very far) NGAD+ Israel since the K...

for many nations F-35 will be their 6th gen, all be it with a few more block 4 moments. Many nations also don't have a threat to require tempest or ever F-35, look Brasil. Gripen is already more than enough for there. Indeed, Gripen is actually overkill, it's streets ahead of anything in Latin Amer...