Good article from NavyLookout https://www.navylookout.com/the-royal-navy-has-ambitious-plans-for-its-future-maritime-aviation-force/ Funding is far from assured and this would not be realised before the 2030s but the ultimate ambition is to have a highly capable hybrid carrier that can still operat...

Incorrect. The budget was fixed by Geo Osborne and his merry troupe of Whitehall warriors in the Treasury. Lot's of good and useful stuff did not fit that budget. Hence the type 31's only being useful for fighting pirates and flying its flag while hosting embassy parties. Hence the type 31's only b...

Jdam wrote: ↑02 Jun 2023, 12:20

Who doesn't love the energetic launched of a Sea Viper Missile

Those hatches looked very clean compared to after.... I wonder if someone is going to have to clean that, poor sailor.

I like this hull form https://t.co/wioWsoClWR Reminds me of LSV plans, except ours will be 5000+ (Both RFA Proteus and RFA Stirling castle are, so the likelihood is that the rest of the castle class will be) and slow. But get one of these, add a second higher deck to function as a helipad and add a ...

Why are the RN wasting time and money on this. Launch and recovery gear for UAVs for refuelling , AWACS and Loyal Wingman is fine. But trying change to a full CATOBAR carrier again? There are umpteen other more pressing requirements than that. 1. How do you think they're gonna get AWACS, AAR and Lo...

wargame_insomniac wrote: ↑01 Jun 2023, 18:39 I thought Vampire was one of the many UAV Projects that RN looking into?

it is.

SW1 wrote:- The issue dates back to post 98 defence review and early 00s. The last couple of type 23 were coming online and ballooning out of control costs on aircraft carriers meant frigates were sacrificed to pay for them. Not to mention the horizon/type 45 shambles. Total BS ! …………. The real rea...

The time for this was during construction, we were going to build it as CATOBAR in 2010 and we bottled it. You can make the argument it was due to the economic issues at the time or the increase in costs of doing so but all short sighted decisions have consequences and here we are. We have spent ne...

RN has many FMAF (Future Maritime Aviation Force) project. UPDATED . F-35B (Obivious) Sounds for new Tranche and a aimed FOC of 24 jets in a CSG. . Aircraft carrier modification possibilities being looked into project ARK ROYAL. https://www.navalnews.com/event-news/cne-2023/2023/06/uk-project-ark-r...

Imagine In the RAF right now where there is the ominous fact that they're going to want to start doing rugged F-35B ops to show its value of STOVL.

Some more details on the planned Mojave STOL UAS trial aboard HMS Prince of Wales: https://www.navalnews.com/event-news/cne-2023/2023/05/royal-navy-plans-carrier-trial-for-mojave-stol-uas/ Beat me to it! 2023 PoW deployment is going to be interesting with all the trials; Mojave, F-35B SRVL. As for ...

Could a modified FSS design forfill MRSS? Existing design, gives work to H&W, existing fleet, could also do Supply ship roles, Large heli deck, 2x Merlin hangers + UAV hanger, no shortage of supplies on the mission, means LRG can have very long legs, e.c.t. It's even been shown with LPCV and 12 ...

Maybe also speeding up T83. because, if the MoD wants 12, +12 SSNR which are both roughly at the same time period it is going to be hell on earth to fund, with a total of +£50bn. If you think it's hard right now wait until that happens. 8 for both is much more realistic and would still be a substant...

MK41 on T31. Assuming that per 32 (8x4, 8 pack costing ~£12m) costs ~£50m, that is £250m, or 1/8 of inital programme cost and probably 1/10 of eventual programme cost. How does this compare to TA/PS with torpedo launch method (Other than heli's, can include UAV). According to Shephard Media, the co...

MK41 on T31. Assuming that per 32 (8x4, 8 pack costing ~£12m) costs ~£50m, that is £250m, or 1/8 of inital programme cost and probably 1/10 of eventual programme cost. How does this compare to TA/PS with torpedo launch method (Other than heli's, can include UAV). According to Shephard Media, the co...

MK41 on T31. Assuming that per 32 (8x4, 8 pack costing ~£12m) costs ~£50m, that is £250m, or 1/8 of inital programme cost and probably 1/10 of eventual programme cost. How does this compare to TA/PS with torpedo launch method (Other than heli's, can include UAV). According to Shephard Media, the co...

MK41 on T31. Assuming that per 32 (8x4, 8 pack costing ~£12m) costs ~£50m, that is £250m, or 1/8 of inital programme cost and probably 1/10 of eventual programme cost. How does this compare to TA/PS with torpedo launch method (Other than heli's, can include UAV).

Opinions on potencial solutions? BAE has SeaKeeper Fast Assault Craft concept featured at the bottom of this article featured alongside BAE ASF. https://www.navalnews.com/naval-news/2023/02/norway-looking-for-new-coastal-ranger-commando-vessels/ BAE has their FIC, if stern beaching is an option the ...

Norwegian navy looking for future frigates (6), UK in listing of potential partners. https://marineschepen.nl/nieuws/Amerikaanse-en-Britse-schepen-genoemd-als-kandidaten-voor-nieuwe-Noorse-fregatten-290523.html On the UK side they could get A) relatively expensive but ASW capable T26. £6bn B) T31 Ch...

Look at the pictures: MROSS and no.1 of castle class with stuff

Not hard to identify the antennae and dishes on the DE&S/Babcock CGI to see they're a pretty skimpy lot. Same exercise on the T26 images reveals a much richer set. Then look at the published Constellation equipment. Comms & ESM can be very expensive. Easy place to save money with little vis...

I’m not saying the Vard or other designs are right, but ships like these could be modified to RN standards and built under licence in a fraction of the time and cost it takes currently. Completely agree. Using familiar hull forms Vard is able to rapidly tailor each vessel to each navies requirement...

Tempest414 wrote: ↑29 May 2023, 12:20

Scimitar54 wrote: ↑29 May 2023, 12:00 Inaugural T31 EoS deployment (Showing the Flag/T31 Promotional Visit) ?

HMS POW on the 2025 CSG 25 tour

Scimitar54 wrote: ↑29 May 2023, 12:24 With the Prince of Wales on board ?

Missed the HMS bit hmm?

To be real about T32, if the royal navy wants more frigates it should get a T31 B2 with improved capabilities (~£2.5bn?) Don't make another class for no reason If the RN needs a better RM carrier, get more MRSS. If the RN needs a mother-ship, get more LSV / start a MHPC/LSV/OPV programme of initiall...

Poiuytrewq wrote: ↑28 May 2023, 13:46

new guy wrote: ↑28 May 2023, 12:24 what is EoS?

East of Suez

many thanks.