Queen Elizabeth Class Aircraft Carriers - News and Discussion

[shark bait]

but I cannot see them operating UAVs the size of Predator or larger.

It will depend if the USMC get their own way, the Marines more or less want a tilt-rotor Reaper.

If they move ahead with the MUX project the RN really need to get involved, being able to conduct Reaper style operations from sovereign territory anywhere in the world is a massive boon for the carriers.

Could be a good thing to buy and operate MQ-8c from the carriers to help with learning how to operate UAVs within the carrier wing flow of ops

Would it? There is no operational benefit to that aircraft, requiring the same crew and same maintenance to offer the same capabilities of its manned equivalent.

[Tempest414]

Would it? There is no operational benefit to that aircraft, requiring the same crew and same maintenance to offer the same capabilities of its manned equivalent.

I did not know that Wildcat could conduct a 15 hour eyes over horizon sortie 50 nm from the Carrier. However for me it is more about inducting UAV ops into the carrier air wings flow of operations without the need to add cats & traps

[RNFollower]

I wonder if the old King George V drydock in Southampton could be another potential option? Close proximity to Portsmouth and should be large enough to accommodate the carriers. Though if its going to cost a pretty penny to bring back into use you may as well spend the money on rebuilding a Dock in Portsmouth.

I was thinking the same thing, I know it would need some work, new gate for starters but must be cheaper than the work required to build a new dry dock at Portsmouth. You could still do the majority of the refit at Portsmouth and then just cover the below the waterline jobs in Southampton.

[shark bait]

15 hour eyes over horizon sortie 50 nm from the Carrier.

15 hours? That is a lot, is the thing all fuel tank?

[Tempest414]

They have ready done 11 + hours sorties

[ArmChairCivvy]

it is more about inducting UAV ops into the carrier air wings flow of operations without the need to add cats & traps

definitely worth thinking about.

If we want to start with hydraulic catapults that can be driven/ towed around (borrowing from land systems), then
- the max throw-weight would be about a 1/3 ton
- though the avg accelaration would be around 5g, it does not come a long smoothly, so construction of the UAV should allow for 8... adding w8

How useful would such a UAV be (sensor load, duration of sorties...) in the MTF context? Cutting the 9+5 Merlins down in number (if some of the work can be 'transferred') could work wonders for strike punch/ vertical insertation capacity

[Jake1992]

it is more about inducting UAV ops into the carrier air wings flow of operations without the need to add cats & traps

definitely worth thinking about.

If we want to start with hydraulic catapults that can be driven/ towed around (borrowing from land systems), then
- the max throw-weight would be about a 1/3 ton
- though the avg accelaration would be around 5g, it does not come a long smoothly, so construction of the UAV should allow for 8... adding w8

How useful would such a UAV be (sensor load, duration of sorties...) in the MTF context? Cutting the 9+5 Merlins down in number (if some of the work can be 'transferred') could work wonders for strike punch/ vertical insertation capacity

If the idea is to use UAVs to cut the work load of the merlins ideally in AEW then why not go with the tilt-rotor option that is be developed by Bell.

From what Iv read they are developing a UAV version of there v-280 with the idea of them conducting the roles currently done by helos such as AEW and ground attack.

If we partner with the USMC over this we could help lead the way in the next gen of very capable tilt-rotor and STOVL UAVs, bringing a whole new level of capablity to smaller flat tops and showing that the need for cat and traps are not always nessasery

[SKB]

[serge750]

Really !!! awesome !!!! if Apaches are there aswell I will go mental !

I read that as march this year but now I realize it could be anytime this year...

[SKB]

Autumn probably, like last year.

[Ron5]

"immense flying machines"


Say what?

[serge750]

Perhaps they meant the airlander airships will be flying from the decks aswell

[Bring Deeps]

I find myself in Queensferry having lunch with a view of the POW set against a backdrop of snow covered mountains.

Sadly didn't have time to get any closer so you need to look closely.

[SKB]

[Timmymagic]

If the idea is to use UAVs to cut the work load of the merlins ideally in AEW then why not go with the tilt-rotor option that is be developed by Bell.

From what Iv read they are developing a UAV version of there v-280 with the idea of them conducting the roles currently done by helos such as AEW and ground attack.

The V-247 is the one. And the USMC have talked about tanking and AEW options. With 15 hour sortie duration. It's never going to happen, but the pressure that could take off the Merlin fleet would be enormous.

[Timmymagic]

Interesting news....looks like the USN is abandoning the CAT. I wonder if this will mean more work for Ultra Electronics for the passive SSTD systems that the UK deploys, never seen those on any USN warships.

Hell even if it's unproven I'd be tempted to ask the USN what they're doing with the CAT that they're stripping off the CVN and buy them for next to nothing and stick on the QE....the rest of the gear is pretty much all there.

http://alert5.com/2019/02/05/usn-abando ... -for-cvns/

[SDL]

[SKB]

Its another piano isn't it? (!)

[Tempest414]

So China are now thinking of selling there first carrier to Pakistan

[R686]

So China are now thinking of selling there first carrier to Pakistan

Link to above mentioned, but maybe more appropriate in either China/Pakistan thread

http://www.navyrecognition.com/index.ph ... istan.html

[ArmChairCivvy]

looks like the USN is abandoning the CAT. I wonder if this will mean more work for Ultra Electronics for the passive SSTD systems that the UK deploys

CAT is just half of the system, paired with TWS. For the CAT part you could buy Rafael's active decoy or a hard-kill system from Germany as replacements.
- the wake is so noisy (as is the carrier, making it) that now wonder the TWS is placed in it, a good distance from the ship itself

[Poiuytrewq]

So China are now thinking of selling there first carrier to Pakistan

Link to above mentioned, but maybe more appropriate in either China/Pakistan thread

http://www.navyrecognition.com/index.ph ... istan.html

I can only imagine India will be less than impressed with the news. A good time to order a QE?

I think this quote sums up the scale of China's ambition,

"Therefore, China has decided to build 5 aircraft carriers and launch them by 2025-2030. Another 6th could even be considered but whether this one will be built remains uncertain."

If China stay on this course, it's entirely possible both QE's will be needed in the CVF role for two separate CSG's along with an increased number of T26's to escort them.

Currently HMG might think it's unaffordable, but before long it could become a strategic necessity.

The USA cannot contain this alone, Europe will have to do a lot more.

[ArmChairCivvy]

Currently HMG might think it's unaffordable, but before long it could become a strategic necessity.

The USA cannot contain this alone, Europe will have to do a lot more.

Pivot to Pacific has not been abandoned (just the term is not used as it is an "Obama Policy".
- Europe will need to do more in the wider Gulf region
- Europe is not UK alone, so would be a good time to take stock?

[Jake1992]

So China are now thinking of selling there first carrier to Pakistan

Link to above mentioned, but maybe more appropriate in either China/Pakistan thread

http://www.navyrecognition.com/index.ph ... istan.html

I can only imagine India will be less than impressed with the news. A good time to order a QE?

I think this quote sums up the scale of China's ambition,

"Therefore, China has decided to build 5 aircraft carriers and launch them by 2025-2030. Another 6th could even be considered but whether this one will be built remains uncertain."

If China stay on this course, it's entirely possible both QE's will be needed in the CVF role for two separate CSG's along with an increased number of T26's to escort them.

Currently HMG might think it's unaffordable, but before long it could become a strategic necessity.

The USA cannot contain this alone, Europe will have to do a lot more.

And there is the crux of it right there, with the rise of certain nations in the world ( China, India, Rearmed Russia and now even Pakistan with a carrier ) HMG really needs to consider raising defence to the 3% plus mark for us to stay relivent in the world.

I have my doubts that in a world that looks ever more likely that even 2 fully equipped QE CSG would be enough to give us the voice we need.

[Sunk at Narvik]

Odd story, either the PLAN is facing budget cuts or they are entirely dissatisfied with their carrier. Or both.