Search found 121 matches

by Dobbo
28 Mar 2024, 11:12
Forum: Royal Navy
Topic: SSN-AUKUS Future Astute Replacement (2030s) (RN) [News Only]
Replies: 239
Views: 86886
United Kingdom

Re: SSN-AUKUS Future Astute Replacement (2030s) (RN) [News Only]

Some further news stories this week on or related to this programme (eg in the FT which is paywalled).

The UK appears to be referring to this as the SSN-A.
by Dobbo
06 Feb 2024, 11:05
Forum: Royal Navy
Topic: Type 45 Destroyer (Daring Class) (RN) [News Only]
Replies: 1994
Views: 554895
United Kingdom

Re: Type 45 Destroyer (Daring Class) (RN) [News Only]

The question is - is this a short term reaction to an issue that demands an immediate solution, or is it a realisation that over the next 15 years or so of the T45’s service life there may be other situations where it is desirable to have the capability to carry a loud out of TLAM. The decision, if ...
by Dobbo
05 Feb 2024, 11:17
Forum: Royal Navy
Topic: Type 45 Destroyer (Daring Class) (RN) [News Only]
Replies: 1994
Views: 554895
United Kingdom

Re: Type 45 Destroyer (Daring Class) (RN) [News Only]

What I’m not clear about is whether the addition of MK41 and CAAM (ie the presently planned upgrade) are mutually exclusive.

For example are the CAAM cells covering the MK41 gym? If not, can they do both, if so, can they add MK41 and quad pack CAAMM?

I assume NSM is unaffected.
by Dobbo
05 Feb 2024, 10:25
Forum: Royal Navy
Topic: Type 45 Destroyer (Daring Class) (RN) [News Only]
Replies: 1994
Views: 554895
United Kingdom

Re: Type 45 Destroyer (Daring Class) (RN) [News Only]

Presumably this is a reference to introducing MK41 on the T45?

https://inews.co.uk/news/politics/jerem ... ea-2889506
by Dobbo
28 Jan 2024, 09:17
Forum: Royal Navy
Topic: Current & Future Escorts - General Discussion
Replies: 19147
Views: 7056036
United Kingdom

Re: Current & Future Escorts - General Discussion

I only have the following points to contribute: 1 - The RN / MoD / HMG was always going to be caught out by a capability gap / FFBNW issue sooner or later. I’m surprised it has taken this long. 2 - If you have an RN with a shrinking number of hulls, justified by their being more capable, they need t...
by Dobbo
13 Jan 2024, 11:45
Forum: Royal Navy
Topic: Current & Future Escorts - General Discussion
Replies: 19147
Views: 7056036
United Kingdom

Re: Current & Future Escorts - General Discussion

I think having the MK41 on the T31 is a very wise investment for the current scenario. I would also want a separate, dedicated, CAAM silo and CIWS but this would facilitate a weapons load out where the T31 could fire land attack missiles at the enemy positions, it could provide a fairly wide air def...
by Dobbo
16 Nov 2023, 21:30
Forum: Royal Navy
Topic: Current & Future Escorts - General Discussion
Replies: 19147
Views: 7056036
United Kingdom

Re: Current & Future Escorts - General Discussion

Shouldn’t we get some design indications for T83 in the next year or so?
by Dobbo
19 May 2023, 12:38
Forum: Royal Navy
Topic: Queen Elizabeth Class Aircraft Carriers - News and Discussion
Replies: 15443
Views: 4408858
United Kingdom

Re: Queen Elizabeth Class Aircraft Carriers - News and Discussion

Some questions on CSG 2025 of note.

Will the first FSS ship be ready? If not, can fort Victoria be relied upon?

Will Crowsnest be up and running?

Which new weapons will be integrated into F35?

Will any drones be operational or in trials by 2025?
by Dobbo
17 May 2023, 23:11
Forum: Royal Navy
Topic: Type 45 Destroyer (Daring Class) (RN) [News Only]
Replies: 1994
Views: 554895
United Kingdom

Re: Type 45 Destroyer (Daring Class) (RN) [News Only]

I’m thinking flexibility - yes as part of CSG, but also other task groups with allied navies as well as the RN. If we have fewer ships it stands to reason that they should be capable of carrying out a greater number of general purpose type tasks (eg long range fires, ASuW) in addition to the special...
by Dobbo
17 May 2023, 20:16
Forum: Royal Navy
Topic: Type 45 Destroyer (Daring Class) (RN) [News Only]
Replies: 1994
Views: 554895
United Kingdom

Re: Type 45 Destroyer (Daring Class) (RN) [News Only]

One of the reasons I assume the RN wish to fit T31 with MK41 May be that they now know CAAMM can be quad packed in MK41.

If that is so, would it not be good value for the RN to fit 16MK41 cells to T45 permitting the load out of CAAM and weapons such as FCASW or TLAM?
by Dobbo
17 May 2023, 20:13
Forum: Royal Navy
Topic: Type 26 Frigate (City Class) (RN) [News Only]
Replies: 5461
Views: 1464583
United Kingdom

Re: Type 26 Frigate (City Class) (RN) [News Only]

In light of todays news on T31 being fitted with 32 MK41 VLS, I wonder if T26 will be fitted with the additional 8 cells to take it up to 32. Why would it? No reason other than: 1 - I believe the T26 can accept an additional 8 cells. 2 - the RN is apparently now able to persuade the bean counters o...
by Dobbo
17 May 2023, 11:34
Forum: Royal Navy
Topic: Type 26 Frigate (City Class) (RN) [News Only]
Replies: 5461
Views: 1464583
United Kingdom

Re: Type 26 Frigate (City Class) (RN) [News Only]

In light of todays news on T31 being fitted with 32 MK41 VLS, I wonder if T26 will be fitted with the additional 8 cells to take it up to 32.
by Dobbo
17 May 2023, 11:33
Forum: Royal Navy
Topic: Type 31 Frigate (Inspiration Class) [News Only]
Replies: 8469
Views: 2142363
United Kingdom

Re: Type 31 Frigate (Inspiration Class) [News Only]

T31 to be fitted with 32 MK41 cells - see link below for further details.

A sensible decision.

https://www.navylookout.com/royal-navys ... ch-system/
by Dobbo
01 May 2023, 19:31
Forum: Royal Navy
Topic: Type 83 Destroyer (RN) [News Only]
Replies: 324
Views: 123412
United Kingdom

Re: Type 83 Destroyer (RN) [News Only]

And that, I think, answers the question pretty conclusively! Thank you!
by Dobbo
01 May 2023, 10:35
Forum: Royal Navy
Topic: Type 83 Destroyer (RN) [News Only]
Replies: 324
Views: 123412
United Kingdom

Re: Type 83 Destroyer (RN) [News Only]

Random thought - previously nuclear powered surface ships have been determined to be too expensive (most recently the decision that the QEC class were to be conventionally powered). I’m a world where AUKUS and SMR are being pushed, meaning possible economies of scale, and nuclear power generally see...
by Dobbo
30 Apr 2023, 16:49
Forum: Royal Navy
Topic: Type 32 General Purpose Frigate [News Only]
Replies: 553
Views: 112646
United Kingdom

Re: Type 32 General Purpose Frigate [News Only]

There is clearly a crewing issue - the RN needs more people power, and to be able to reasonably reduce the number of crew in its ships and boats over the next 20-30 years. Without a solution, any additional vessels are paper strength only. That said, in my view the direction is likely to be influenc...
by Dobbo
16 Apr 2023, 10:01
Forum: Royal Navy
Topic: Current & Future Escorts - General Discussion
Replies: 19147
Views: 7056036
United Kingdom

Re: Current & Future Escorts - General Discussion

I agree with this. If the mid to long term defence and economic strategy is to: (1) grow the economy faster; (2) increase defence spending to 3% of GDP; and (3) focus that increased spending on naval and air capability, that is a high level coherent strategy (if all are executed efficiently). I don’...
by Dobbo
15 Apr 2023, 11:01
Forum: Royal Air Force
Topic: Future UK Combat Aircraft (Project Tempest)
Replies: 4067
Views: 950331
United Kingdom

Re: Future UK Combat Aircraft (Project Tempest)

I’d have thought a large size would be conducive to a large internal payload for fuel (I imagine unrefueled range is a major requirement) and weapons…
by Dobbo
12 Apr 2023, 22:31
Forum: Royal Navy
Topic: Type 83 Destroyer (RN) [News Only]
Replies: 324
Views: 123412
United Kingdom

Re: Type 83 Destroyer (RN) [News Only]

“The Type 83 destroyer will replace the Type 45 destroyers and will be a key part of the Future Air Dominance System (FADS) that will provide area air defence and offensive strike options to the Carrier Strike Group from the mid-2030s.” Quote from the link below. Suggests the T83 will cover offensi...
by Dobbo
19 Mar 2023, 21:11
Forum: Royal Navy
Topic: Queen Elizabeth Class Aircraft Carriers - News and Discussion
Replies: 15443
Views: 4408858
United Kingdom

Re: Queen Elizabeth Class Aircraft Carriers - News and Discussion

You understand wrong. Currently vertical landing with a full weapons load (fuel would be dumped) isn't a problem. It might become one in the future with the heavier weapons in the pipeline but even then it would only be in the hottest of climates. With the expectation of engine thrust increases, th...
by Dobbo
19 Mar 2023, 14:03
Forum: Royal Navy
Topic: SSN-AUKUS Future Astute Replacement (2030s) (RN) [News Only]
Replies: 239
Views: 86886
United Kingdom

Re: SSN-AUKUS Future Astute Replacement (2030s) (RN) [News Only]

No provision for the carrying of lockout chambers for deployments of u.a.v,s and crews with submersible vessels as per the Astute class , should such a capability be included on the SSN -AUKUS I’d assume that if the diameter of the hull is equal to dreadnought that the VLS modules would be arranged...
by Dobbo
19 Mar 2023, 08:19
Forum: Royal Navy
Topic: Queen Elizabeth Class Aircraft Carriers - News and Discussion
Replies: 15443
Views: 4408858
United Kingdom

Re: Queen Elizabeth Class Aircraft Carriers - News and Discussion

You understand wrong. Currently vertical landing with a full weapons load (fuel would be dumped) isn't a problem. It might become one in the future with the heavier weapons in the pipeline but even then it would only be in the hottest of climates. With the expectation of engine thrust increases, th...
by Dobbo
13 Mar 2023, 23:08
Forum: Royal Navy
Topic: SSN-AUKUS Future Astute Replacement (2030s) (RN) [News Only]
Replies: 239
Views: 86886
United Kingdom

Re: SSN(R) Future Astute Replacement (2040s) (RN) [News Only]

It does seem that there is widespread reporting that the navy (ie not the government) want the SSN fleet to be “at least” doubled, ideally increased to 20. Who knows how long that lasts, but anything in the region of 12 SSN’s would be a significant step forwards, but that has to be matched by for ex...
by Dobbo
13 Mar 2023, 21:33
Forum: Royal Navy
Topic: SSN-AUKUS Future Astute Replacement (2030s) (RN) [News Only]
Replies: 239
Views: 86886
United Kingdom

Re: SSN(R) Future Astute Replacement (2040s) (RN) [News Only]

20 would be extraordinary / unrealistic. Suspect that might mean a total run of 8 RAN boats and 12 RN boats?

(I’m assuming there is some truth in the objective number, but the backdrop to it has been misunderstood)
by Dobbo
12 Mar 2023, 13:59
Forum: Royal Navy
Topic: Queen Elizabeth Class Aircraft Carriers - News and Discussion
Replies: 15443
Views: 4408858
United Kingdom

Re: Queen Elizabeth Class Aircraft Carriers - News and Discussion

My main thinking is the ability of the F35 to take off and return to ship with a full (or near full) load of fuel and weapons. As I understand it that is not possible with the current vertical landing solution You understand wrong. Currently vertical landing with a full weapons load (fuel would be ...