Search found 129 matches

by Simon82
09 Jan 2019, 18:52
Forum: Royal Navy
Topic: Queen Elizabeth Class Aircraft Carriers - News and Discussion
Replies: 15445
Views: 4410510

Re: Queen Elizabeth Class Aircraft Carriers - News and Discussion

Just in case anyone is interested HMS Queen Elizabeth is going back to Rosyth for dry-docking in the summer. https://www.gov.uk/government/news/scottish-yard-awarded-hms-queen-elizabeth-contract?utm_source=924696db-7f47-4b0a-9e9f-5ebe4b9c9e66&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=govuk-notifications...
by Simon82
02 Jan 2019, 13:25
Forum: Royal Air Force
Topic: Puma Helicopter (RAF)
Replies: 380
Views: 89643

Re: Puma Helicopter (RAF)

Any of the American tilt rotor options will result in much reduced number being bought. While either the Bell/Lockheed Martin or Sikorsky/Boeing products will undoubtedly be expensive that might be offset to some extent against European rivals by the massive numbers ordered by the US Army, which wi...
by Simon82
01 Jan 2019, 17:19
Forum: Royal Air Force
Topic: Puma Helicopter (RAF)
Replies: 380
Views: 89643

Re: Puma Helicopter (RAF)

As has been said before, AW139 or 149 would have been a better option for AAC. Maybe even NH90 (still probably an option to replace Puma if the bugs get fixed). Or the U.K. could piggy-back on the US Future Vertical Lift program, perhaps even get a bit of industry participation if they jump in earl...
by Simon82
19 Dec 2018, 20:56
Forum: Royal Navy
Topic: RN anti-ship missiles
Replies: 1030
Views: 242297

Re: RN anti-ship missiles

ArmChairCivvy wrote:Let's revisit our F-111 project and get a squadron of B-1s
If money was limitless two squadrons of B-21s to replace the Tornadoes would be lovely. I can see long-range global strikes becoming the norm in future decades with long-range and stealth becoming ever more desirable.
by Simon82
18 Dec 2018, 19:31
Forum: Defence Elsewhere
Topic: USA Armed Forces
Replies: 2089
Views: 108906

Re: USA Armed Forces

ArmChairCivvy wrote:they are busy elsewhere, for a while
Do you think the MoD could slip them onto the shopping list whilst the Treasury is distracted? They could say it’s part of the preparations for ‘no deal’ ;)
by Simon82
18 Dec 2018, 13:28
Forum: Defence Elsewhere
Topic: USA Armed Forces
Replies: 2089
Views: 108906

Re: USA Armed Forces

BAE and GDLS selected for Mobile Protected Firepower program's prototype phase. Both Michigan-based General Dynamics Land Systems and BAE Systems will have the next 14 months to build and begin delivering 12 prototypes of the Mobile Protected Firepower vehicle. BAE Systems will build an M8 Buford A...
by Simon82
16 Dec 2018, 00:43
Forum: Defence Elsewhere
Topic: Australian Defence Force
Replies: 2617
Views: 480029

Re: Australian Defence Force

Design for new $535 million Osborne shipyard unveiled 24 August 2017 funded by Australian Government for the build of the nine Hunter class frigates, BAE Systems canned their plans for a frigate factory on the Clyde in 2015 and scaled back investment to £100M for upgrade to the Govan and Scotstoun ...
by Simon82
06 Dec 2018, 21:48
Forum: Royal Navy
Topic: Dreadnought Class SSBN
Replies: 706
Views: 278179

Re: Dreadnought Class SSBN

Whilst the name Valiant has a proud Royal Navy history and is far from being a bad choice I’m not sure it’d be on my shortlist of four based on fame and historical resonance. Surely Invincible, Conqueror, Warspite, Warrior or Temeraire* would all rank above Valiant in the public conscience and that’...
by Simon82
05 Dec 2018, 20:12
Forum: Royal Navy
Topic: Dreadnought Class SSBN
Replies: 706
Views: 278179

Re: Dreadnought Class SSBN

Four historical names from a technical innovation point of view: HMS Dreadnought (first turbine powered, all big gun battleship / first Royal Navy nuclear submarine) HMS Devastation* (first battleship to dispense with sails and broadside guns in favour of steam engines and turrets) HMS Warrior (firs...
by Simon82
26 Nov 2018, 00:21
Forum: Royal Navy
Topic: Type 26 Frigate (City Class) (RN) [News Only]
Replies: 5461
Views: 1465279

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

I suspect it’s most likely to be Edinburgh. A new HMS Exeter would be nice, but I suspect it’ll have to wait like Liverpool and York for the yet to be announced improved Type 26 Batch 2 order ;)
by Simon82
24 Nov 2018, 11:01
Forum: British Army
Topic: Ajax Armoured Vehicles (British Army)
Replies: 2432
Views: 526701

Re: Ajax Armoured Vehicle Variants (British Army)

At the very end of that Janes video, before it stops with a teaser about JLTV, Ajax and Boxer are shown together - with a turreted version for the latter? If you mean the computer generated image right at the end, I don’t think that’s a Boxer. In fact it looks more like a member of the Piranha/LAV ...
by Simon82
08 Nov 2018, 22:53
Forum: Royal Navy
Topic: Astute Class Attack Submarine (SSN) (RN)
Replies: 846
Views: 301311

Re: Astute Class Attack Submarine (SSN) (RN)

Why waste the space... when you can have a big gun: https://cdn1.lockerdome.com/uploads/bfd ... 5a95_large Quite a clever idea those M-class submarines. Getting round the slow running speeds of period torpedos by firing a supersonic, sea skimming 12” missile from a virtually submerged position befo...
by Simon82
08 Nov 2018, 01:22
Forum: Royal Navy
Topic: Type 45 Destroyer (Daring Class) (RN) [News Only]
Replies: 1995
Views: 555305

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

abc123 wrote:"The destroyer used her sonar and Wildcat helicopter – armed with Sting Ray torpedoes – to hunt the Trafalgar-class boat...”
Optimistic perhaps, but not particularly strange.
by Simon82
03 Nov 2018, 13:48
Forum: Royal Navy
Topic: Current & Future Escorts - General Discussion
Replies: 19150
Views: 7058477

Re: Current & Future Escorts - General Discussion

Would we be perhaps best admitting that the Type 31e as it stands will be an ineffective waste of money (too large and expensive for patrol and training, unsuitable for disaster relief and all but useless in warfare), reallocating their budget to something the armed forces actually need and acceptin...
by Simon82
03 Nov 2018, 11:33
Forum: Defence Elsewhere
Topic: Italian Armed Forces
Replies: 936
Views: 61084

Re: Italian Armed Forces

The Italian Navy really have embraced the idea of multiple medium calibre guns as dual purpose defensive anti-surface, anti-aircraft and CIWS weapons. Perhaps the gun hasn’t had it’s day after all!
by Simon82
01 Nov 2018, 13:38
Forum: Royal Navy
Topic: Current & Future Escorts - General Discussion
Replies: 19150
Views: 7058477

Re: Current & Future Escorts - General Discussion

For the lowest cost just use the Army’s launcher, the one that already comes with every CAMM missile. ExLS is pretty much a marinised by design equivalent of the Army’s CAMM launcher. However, to start with the existing army launcher and then secondarily marinise it might be a much more expensive p...
by Simon82
28 Oct 2018, 18:12
Forum: Defence Elsewhere
Topic: French Armed Forces
Replies: 1869
Views: 125811

Re: French Armed Forces

xav wrote:Sorry for some of the accents.
I’m always impressed by the fantastic grasp of English that all those interviewed have, accent or not. It puts my foreign language skills to shame. Keep up the amazing work :thumbup:
by Simon82
28 Oct 2018, 15:01
Forum: Royal Navy
Topic: Type 26 Frigate (City Class) (RN) [News Only]
Replies: 5461
Views: 1465279

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

Ron5 wrote:I thought 2023 was in service.
Yes it is. In fact on the graphic I saw I’m sure all five Type 31s are supposed to be commissioned Royal Navy warships before HMS Glasgow is finally handed over in 2027 following what sounds like it’ll be a 5 - 6 year sea trial period.
by Simon82
27 Oct 2018, 13:35
Forum: Royal Air Force
Topic: Boeing P-8A Poseidon (MRA Mk.1) (RAF)
Replies: 1271
Views: 456508

Re: Boeing Poseidon MRA Mk.1 (Maritime Reconnaissance Attack) (RAF)

Iam not saying it would be an accident,I am saying that they already saying that P8 are controlling drones and are now looking as hostile targets when the next time it seems drones are attacking their airfield. If the Syrians (Russians) wanted to shoot down a P-8 orbiting over the Mediterranean to ...
by Simon82
27 Oct 2018, 12:21
Forum: Royal Navy
Topic: Current & Future Escorts - General Discussion
Replies: 19150
Views: 7058477

Re: Current & Future Escorts - General Discussion

If the RN does ever develop a sea launched version of Spear 3, its primary role will probably be land attack. It would supplement naval gunfire support, providing a precision strike capability against fixed and mobile targets. In terms of range, I suspect the RN would want at least 70 km and desire...
by Simon82
26 Oct 2018, 19:15
Forum: Royal Navy
Topic: Current & Future Escorts - General Discussion
Replies: 19150
Views: 7058477

Re: Current & Future Escorts - General Discussion

Iv heard rumours that the future spear 3 will have a naval version with the possibility of it being quad packable in mk41 Could this combined with say LRASM ( then future Anglo French ASM ) make a very could base point for the T26 and other T class vessels. It depends if anyone is willing to pay fo...
by Simon82
26 Oct 2018, 16:51
Forum: Royal Navy
Topic: Type 26 Frigate (City Class) (RN) [News Only]
Replies: 5461
Views: 1465279

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

And hull completion by the end of 2020 and possible launch early 2021. Seems to be a very long time to outfit and test prior to commissioning in 2025. The aircraft carrier was outfitted and tested quicker than that. I’d honestly be surprised if the Type 31e beats the Type 26 into service now as I b...
by Simon82
26 Oct 2018, 13:19
Forum: Royal Navy
Topic: Type 26 Frigate (City Class) (RN) [News Only]
Replies: 5461
Views: 1465279

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

Anyone got a clear picture of the front silos? Still uncertain how many are on it. I don’t have a clear picture I’m afraid, but it looks like it’s 4 x 8 cell modules on the model at Euronaval 2018. So, 32 Mk.41 silos in all. Although you’re right, the configuration seems to differ depending in whic...
by Simon82
26 Oct 2018, 12:45
Forum: Royal Navy
Topic: Current & Future Escorts - General Discussion
Replies: 19150
Views: 7058477

Re: Current & Future Escorts - General Discussion

" performance of the Freedom Class Littoral Combat Ship [compared] with five similar international frigates and corvettes in a littoral combat environment. The alternative ships are: Formidable class frigate, Singapore Navy; MILGEM (Milli Gemi) class corvette, Turkish Navy; Steregushchiy class...
by Simon82
25 Oct 2018, 17:41
Forum: Royal Navy
Topic: Current & Future Escorts - General Discussion
Replies: 19150
Views: 7058477

Re: Current & Future Escorts - General Discussion

donald_of_tokyo wrote: You are proposing to mount, SeaBrimstone on T31e, T26, and T45s? It will be good, I agree, if RN thinks Iran is the main threat I agree that harpoon, or similar, is not the weapon to deal with a swarm attack on a lone vessel by Iranian missile boats and that either a guided 3...