MK 41 vertical launch system along with ExLS (Exstensible Launching System) https://apple.news/A2eA4cRzqSeCDcY7bh_u8ug Great info. As RN has not ordered Mk41 in any sense by now, this means the T31 of RN will be (at least) at the first step be delivered WITHOUT Mk.41 VLS (which is clear from schedu...

SW1 wrote: ↑29 Jan 2024, 21:15 They’ve been there 2 months and used probably 8 missiles and been to port at least once. They’ve at least 40 left if they haven’t reloaded. They’ve a few other ships with them how much

I wanted more resilience than clearly you do. But thats ok - these are just are respective opinions, not facts.

That’s probably sadly fair, but for a project that should be low risk for a ship FFBNW the country needs to do better - if we are really so close to war, we need a new mindset. TLAM on ships maybe new for the RN but is not new with our closest ally. Thanks, I am NOT AGAINST adding Mk 41 to T45. But...

An AAW variant of the T26 is a no brainer and costs can be shared with the RAN and RCN. Given the new frigate factory, another six AAW variants could be achieved without Gaps with the T45s. However given the threat, there is no logical reason not to repurpose the five T31s also to become AAW ships,...

The simple fact is we had the perfect balance of flight deck and dock space with Ocean , 1 x LPD and 3 LSD's and we let it go When all things are considered a completely conventional Amphibious force may still be the way to go. Before even beginning on the MRSS design or considering an Enforcer LPD...

That’s probably sadly fair, but for a project that should be low risk for a ship FFBNW the country needs to do better - if we are really so close to war, we need a new mindset. TLAM on ships maybe new for the RN but is not new with our closest ally. Thanks, I am NOT AGAINST adding Mk 41 to T45. But...

Just go steadily with NSM. Many to be blamed in the past, many options in future, but what should be done now is clear. But these things need to be done in parallel, simultaneously rather than consecutively. For example the T45's have the following upgrades due: *5 to go through PIP (*3 to start &a...

serge750 wrote: ↑27 Jan 2024, 17:09 Hope they are getting a lot of support etc for $23bn..... just seems like a lot of wonga !!!

They have some 243 F16 older variants, with apparently 157*F16C and 86*F16D.

So the 40 new aircraft might be rougly just one fifth of the total F16 covered by this contract.

I think the RN ishoing to want to trial deoying MCM USV and USuV from a variety of platforms to see what works best in practice in a variety of locations i a variety of Sea States. Ininitialy they were being triialled in Persian Gulf of Lyme Bay, they are shortly be about to be trialled in UK Home W...

https://twitter.com/NavyLookout/status/1750455509465882941 Worst of all outcomes, no clear direction for the FCF, wasting money and kicking the can another decade down the road. I doubt it will be 2030's. I fully expect them to be rotated between active service annually (as per current) and then re...

... I have said for sometime now that the RB2's due to there overseas takings need upgrading with the same NS50 radar plus a UAV and a 40mm with 3P rounds for all round better eyes and ears plus self defence I agree some of the River B2 needs it, but some do not. What is a realistic OSD for the RB2...

SAAB received an order for MSHORAD for Swedish Armed Forces, based on BvS10 ATV. https://ukdefencejournal.org.uk/saab-secures-order-for-mobile-short-range-air-defence/ The UK had previously ordered 60*BvS10 for RM Commandos as part of joint procurement with Sweden and Germany, to replace old BvS6 ve...

I notice lots of criticism around the bazars about the weapons outload on RN vessels (lately aboutT45 HMS Diamond), with same commentators staying strangely silent on the lesser outload of allied vessels. https://twitter.com/NavyLookout/status/1749359803112083484 So far only USN and RN have sent sh...

The above is far from a complete or exhausustive list forany of the 3 services -just realised that I had forgotten to add design and construction of new AUKUS SSN, not to mention wider issues such as long delays in equipment refit and maintenance, or the awful state of the MOD's estates portfolio wh...

I think the same can be asked for all three services. All 3 services already have a lot to be done with implementing current and imminent equipment orders at a time when all 3 services are suffering from both poor retention and be unable to meet recruitment targets. For Navy (in no particular order...

Good news, although it needs to happen sooner as there are no several potential global flashpoints thanks to the likes of Russia, China and even Iran and North Korea pushing to find weaknesses of the West, at a time when increasing risk of 2nd Donald Trump US Presidency causing US to become more iso...

Some more good news with another T23 getting ready to upgrade to NSM.

Portland having her old Harpoon mounts removed prior to receiving NSM. Hopefully she will shortly be following Somerset over to Norway.

The destroyers would absolutely benefit from a modern, smaller and more usable gun. However it benefits more from engines that actually work, increased missile capacity, and ABM upgrades. All of these things sound pricey, and it seems unlikely the Navy would prioritise a gun swap above these. For m...

I didn't say they were being used in exclusively GP roles but they are being used for tasking that would have used an escort previously. Yes embarked helicopter costs are high but do these territories were visiting have the relevant land based aviation support? There is a difference between a local...

With all this real world data perhaps it’s time to consolidate around 57mm, 40mm and 127mm Surely this "real world data" suggests that the T45 current fit works and doesn't need replacing? By "current fit works" do you mean spending £1m+ Aster 30 Missiles to take down drones tha...

Concerning the T31 weapons fit - are they not getting the NSM from the T23 when they retire ? so instead of getting possible 8,16 or 32 mk 41 would it be better ( cheaper ) to fit ExLS for just CAMM, as they will be our tier 2 ships & save the high end FCASW stock for the T26 & tier1 ships ...

With all this real world data perhaps it’s time to consolidate around 57mm, 40mm and 127mm Surely this "real world data" suggests that the T45 current fit works and doesn't need replacing? By "current fit works" do you mean spending £1m+ Aster 30 Missiles to take down drones tha...

The bodged together Supacat HMT / ASRAAM has achieved 90% hit success in Ukraine. Maybe it might be a good idea to have a few ourselves, to supplement the few assets that we currently have. https://www.gov.uk/government/news/the-uk-bolsters-ukraines-air-defence-after-putins-latest-air-strikes Benif...

donald_of_tokyo wrote: ↑08 Jan 2024, 09:23

wargame_insomniac wrote: ↑08 Jan 2024, 08:57 "Job advert for Able Seafarer working 5 weeks on, 5 weeks off on an unnamed RFA ship"
That, to me, seems to suggest a UK based RFA with quite short deployments or tasks....

I understand ALL RFA vessels are operated as such?

Ah. Thanks for clarifying.

Interesting post. By doing this, "cheapish salary" issue can be solved? The moment you out source something, "man-power cost" can be converted into "(service) procurement cost". However, if the salary of these posts are higher than those in RN and RFA, this action may ...