Question for anyone - How long does it take for a boat to go from roll out to 1. sea trials then 2. acceptance into the fleet? Hey Pete, Thanks for the link. See Note (b) of my Astute webpage for the previous Naming, First Dive, Sea Trials, Delivery and Commissioning dates: http://www.pymes75.plus....

Enigmatically wrote:BTW Brake blade swap out has started.

Excellent news! Thanks for the update.

Was the swap out started recently? Just wondering.

Enigmatically wrote:Well i logged in today to give an update, but I found this so I won't bother.

Can I just ask, is the wardroom carpet still planned to be 'Jointery Purple' or have they gone back to 'Navy Blue'?

By the way, how fast the PASCAT is? Here I assume 30knots loaded, but I couldn't find those numbers on web. Also, BMT Caimen 22kt loaded / 40kt light, if it is as cheap as "only" twice as LCU Mk.10, and less than half the PASCAT, will be another good option, I guess ? I think RN shall tes...

I personally like the idea of combining Griffon 8100TD LCACs launched from LHDs with PASCAT Landing Craft replacing the LCUs deployed aboard the Albions/Bays or suitable LSD replacements. The LCACs have the inherent speed to launch from further from the shore plus also the ability to land further up...

LordJim wrote:Doesn't the F-35 have in integral designator under the nose?

Yep, it's effectively an LM Sniper XP pod built into the fuselage. Another reason why the F-35's weapons capacity is greater than people realise as it doesn't need to hang a designator from one of the hardpoints.

£1.4 billion deal for Royal Navy’s new attack submarine The MOD has negotiated a new £1.4 billion contract for the Royal Navy’s new attack submarine, the sixth in a total fleet of seven, which will protect the UK’s new aircraft carriers and nuclear deterrent. https://www.gov.uk/government/news/14-b...

Whats the betting Fort Victoria will get Withdrawn onces the MARS start being commissioned. I still think the RFA will have serious manpower issues crewing x4 MARS / 2 Wave class / 3 SSS in the future based on current levels of activity. There are always going to be manpower pressures on HM Forces ...

Repulse wrote:

marktigger wrote:when is Argus being withdrawn? there's a comment on facebook its next year?

Thought it was 2020

Apparently, it's been extended out to 2024:

https://www.theyworkforyou.com/wrans/?i ... .h&p=13077

Clive F wrote:bye bye Argus? Med Facilities across the fleet?

I should hope not! From what I can see in the video, the Tides have a 3-bed hospital with a single Operating Theatre. Compare this to Fort Victoria's 12-bed complex and O/T, never mind Argus' 100-bed complex with 4x O/Ts and a CT scanner...

Just seen an update of her position on Marine Traffic and she's approaching Cornwall!

http://www.marinetraffic.com/en/ais/hom ... 65/zoom:10

Wow! A new issue of Carrier Waves is up:

http://www.aircraftcarrieralliance.com/ ... 7-full.pdf

I thought it would never return....

According to Patria's information there are versions of the AMV xp that are amphibious - just with the weight limited to 28t rather than the full fat 32t.

I've always liked the Patra AMV amongst the 8x8s - especially the Polish 'Rosomak' version. If it's at all possible to produce an amphibious version with a 40mm CTAI turret and still fit 6-8x dismounts then that would be perfect!

ArmChairCivvy wrote:

Pymes75 wrote:no plans to launch LCVPs from the QEC davits

That would be v little effect for getting the 3 bn asset so close to shore (add the airwing, and double the 3 bn)

Yes. Which is why the reply was, "there are no plans to launch LCVPs from the davits".

whitelancer wrote:Could a LCVP be carried instead of the PTB? Maybe that's one of the mods being carried out on POW.

This has been asked before and I believe the answer was there are no plans to launch LCVPs from the QEC davits.

Gab is correct. When we last toured her, it was confirmed that the two large openings on the underside of the port sponson are for the davits to launch the 2x PTBs. IIRC, there are no PTBs on the starboard side given everything else it's hosting (a/c lifts, weapons lifts, G/T and DG up/down takes, e...

Yep that was the dream: 777s too expensive for what they do; before even considering the logistics (titanium parts over steel etc, for air-portability) Supacat was not quite up to it in the trials: the axels coud not take the added weight Therefore: - the LG will stay (it is a good piece, and every...

IMHO, if it works as advertised the Portee is a no brainer. Having 777s which can be flown by Chinook or moved around by Supacat HMT800 Portees either mounted or towed with ammunition just makes for an incredibly flexible artillery capability. Add Excalibur and you have precision effect into the bar...

IMHO, the RAF will only consider the F-35A when it's time to replace the Typhoon, although they might still form part of the original 138x a/c planned.

As an aside, I know on very good authority that the original drive train suppliers are working on an engine upgrade to bring CR2 up to the 1,500bhp seen on other western MBTs as part of the LEP but I haven't seen it documented in any of the press releases (apologies if I've missed one!). Drivetrain...

Top find, Gab! Many thanks for posting.

I was reading an article the other day that stated there are now 5 production F35b in RAF service. Also read that six more have been ordered in LRIP9. Perhaps Gabriele can help with that information. The development and test aircraft are separate and likely to remain in the US. Yeah, the 5th a/c wa...

As an aside, I know on very good authority that the original drive train suppliers are working on an engine upgrade to bring CR2 up to the 1,500bhp seen on other western MBTs as part of the LEP but I haven't seen it documented in any of the press releases (apologies if I've missed one!).

The F-35 database on F16.net is showing all four UK LRIP 8 aircraft * as 'delivered'. Does anyone know of a source that can corroborate this? I've updated my webpage but then thought I ought to double-check.

* ZM139, ZM140, ZM141 and ZM142