Queen Elizabeth Class Aircraft Carriers - News and Discussion

[Jake1992]

What is the current situation with the Wasp-class in general? I've heard that the America-class are replacing them but with 11 built it seems like an expansion rather than direct replacement and considering they are being called LHAs to seemingly disassociate them.

If they were supposed to operate together, I assume one of the old Tarawa-class inn serve could be brought up.

I thought the initial idea was that they’d all be LHA ( no welldock better aviation set up ) but after the first 2 started build the USMC came to the conclusion that we’ll docks well still need so that change was made with 9 order to replace the existing wasps and the LHAs became extras.

[The Armchair Soldier]

I see that earlier announcement ruffled a few feathers.

UK needs a realistic view of its military strength

The HMS Queen Elizabeth, with a displacement of 65,000 tons, doesn't even have any UK-made fighter jets on it - not to mention that its sea trials were not as smooth as the UK expected.

Read More: https://www.globaltimes.cn/content/1194 ... w84yyLML3w

[Dave]

Any “Right Thinking” PM should restore the right of the individual Service Chiefs to see the Prime Minister at any time if they have concerns that are not being addressed. The removal of this right (by Cameron) was and remains an absolute disgrace.

No chance of that while Cummings controls access and pulls the strings of government.

[Scimitar54]

Well he would wish to feather his own nest wouldn’t he! Trouble is adequate though some of his advice may be, there is a strong likelihood that bad advice will be given in at least some areas and the PM and his government will end up being the fall guys. We elected them, not him! Hopefully he will put a serious foot wrong before long and be given a an immediate dishonourable discharge.

[SKB]

(@RNASCuldrose) 16th July 2020

As 'Table Top' exercises go - this has to be the best 'table' ever! Here's the
@HMSQNLZ Flight Deck Management Team discussing their forthcoming GROUPEX embarkation - an important milestone for #CarrierStrike that Culdrose personnel will play a key role in.

(@HMSQNLZ) 17th July 2020

A different #F35Friday as our flight deck crews practice how to move and operate aircraft on a busy deck.
This https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EdDHCSpWkAE ... =largewill become apparent during #Groupex when we will embark two #F35 squadrons and a full rotary wing group.

[Scimitar54]

Still only 10 x F35s and 6 x Merlins though. Perhaps an object lesson on why Aircraft numbers need to increase incrementally and not all in one go.

[SKB]

617 + USMC = 2 squadrons.

Wondering if the mug and bottle are there to catch leaks....

[Scimitar54]

Just spotted a Jungly, so that increase it to 7 x Merlins!

[Timmymagic]

Just wondering if anyone has ever seen this image before...its a Faradair Hybrid STOL aircraft currently under development in the UK. 18 seat, 1100 mile range, 10,000lb cargo (3 x LD3 containers). Un-pressurised (15,000ft altitude) and is aiming for a $4m pricetag...operating costs of $600 per hour...with a stall speed of c40 knots...thats means with a QE running at 20 knots she could hit the deck at c30 knots safely, add in some wind and its practically stationary. With the range and cargo listed thats pretty much the same performance as a C-2 Greyhound.

"It will be fully capable of landing and taking off from our new aircraft carriers, without the need of 'cats and traps', enabling 5t of cargo to be flown long range to the carrier if needed." according to Faradair.

At the prices mentioned, vastly cheaper than helicopters...fixed wing COD, AEW or ASW anyone?

Ghastly 'camo' though...

https://www.faradair.com/

[Scimitar54]

It would look much better in “Navy” (FAA) Blue!

[Jake1992]

Just wondering if anyone has ever seen this image before...its a Faradair Hybrid STOL aircraft currently under development in the UK. 18 seat, 1100 mile range, 10,000lb cargo (3 x LD3 containers). Un-pressurised (15,000ft altitude) and is aiming for a $4m pricetag...operating costs of $600 per hour...

"It will be fully capable of landing and taking off from our new aircraft carriers, without the need of 'cats and traps', enabling 5t of cargo to be flown long range to the carrier if needed." according to Faradair.

At the prices mentioned, vastly cheaper than helicopters...fixed wing COD, AEW or ASW anyone?

Ghastly 'camo' though...

https://www.faradair.com/

Big question I have could it fit in the hanger at all and if not do we really want a situation where air craft ( possible AEW ) being exposed to the weather and sea all the time.

[Timmymagic]

Big question I have could it fit in the hanger at all and if not do we really want a situation where air craft ( possible AEW ) being exposed to the weather and sea all the time.

Yes it could fit in the hangar and on the elevator.
Dimensions are:
Length 48 ft
Width 57 ft
Height 14 ft 10 inch

For comparison the F-35B dimensions are:
Length 51 ft 5 inch
Width 35 ft
Height 14 ft 4 inch

For COD, which is what they seem to be proposing it for, it would just be a visitor. Land on, drop the cargo off and straight off again. As for the QE Class elevator it would easily fit as they're sized for 2 F-35B.

But realistically, for any other role than COD, where it would need to stay aboard, there would need to be a solution for the wing. Quite what that would add to the weight (as there are 3 of them..) would I suspect make or break it as a concept.

Apparently the wings can take hardpoints as well...

[Ron5]

Define "under development"

[Scimitar54]

Different from under developed?

[Timmymagic]

Define "under development"

As ever in the world of GA they're after investors (they did make a rather good point about the £50m wasted on E-fan though..). Looks like the wing and general design have gone through a lot of research and review. Refreshingly the decision to remain unpressurised (which costs a lot and adds risk) does indicate some common sense.

[Ron5]

Only a paper project so far I think. Dime a dozen.

[Lord Jim]

If we are actually serious about Carrier Strike and all that entails, the RN is eventually going to realise it needs a COD platform if it wishes the Carriers to be able to stay at sea for an period of time. What fills that role could be a Merlin, a Chinook or least likely an Osprey.

[Aethulwulf]

Only a paper project so far I think. Dime a dozen.

Press release states first flight of prototype targeted for 2023/24...

...looks like lots of hurdles still to overcome before a prototype is built.

[Timmymagic]

Press release states first flight of prototype targeted for 2023/24...

...looks like lots of hurdles still to overcome before a prototype is built.

Absolutely, the odds would be on it never taking shape at all. But it does illustrate that there could be viable alternatives out there in the near future to hugely expensive V-22's or FVL etc.

[Aethulwulf]

Just wondering if anyone has ever seen this image before...its a Faradair Hybrid STOL aircraft currently under development in the UK. 18 seat, 1100 mile range, 10,000lb cargo (3 x LD3 containers). Un-pressurised (15,000ft altitude) and is aiming for a $4m pricetag...operating costs of $600 per hour...with a stall speed of c40 knots...thats means with a QE running at 20 knots she could hit the deck at c30 knots safely, add in some wind and its practically stationary. With the range and cargo listed thats pretty much the same performance as a C-2 Greyhound.

"It will be fully capable of landing and taking off from our new aircraft carriers, without the need of 'cats and traps', enabling 5t of cargo to be flown long range to the carrier if needed." according to Faradair.

At the prices mentioned, vastly cheaper than helicopters...fixed wing COD, AEW or ASW anyone?

The F135 engine inside its transport container is 9350 lbs. However, it is so bulky that it doesn't fit inside an Osprey. The engine has to be removed from its protective container and loaded on to a special skid before being loaded via the Osprey's rear ramp (leaving it exposed to weather, sea spray, etc during the loading / off loading). The Faradair aircraft does not appear to have a rear ramp. With its cargo transport being designed around LD3 containers, I can't see how a F135 engine could ever be loaded. This would appear to be a show stopper for this aircraft ever being used for COD/Maritime Intra Theatre Lift by the Navy.

[bobp]

With that wingspan you would have to clear a lot of QE deck space for a landing and take off,

[seaspear]

Why would you transport a nine and a half thousand-pound engine from shore when you could more easily have them or any other heavy cargo carried by the supply ship ?

[Lord Jim]

Alternatively, like the US and French navies you could have an Engine Bay and UETF on the carrier to repair and then test u/s engines, requiring only spares and at most replacement engine modules.

[serge750]

Would you not carry a couple of spare engines on a QEC aswell ?

[Ron5]

The USN needs COD to deliver an F-35 engine because it lacks the ability to transfer said engine from a supply ship to a carrier at sea. The transfer tackle thingies can't take the weight.

The Royal Navy doesn't in theory have that problem. The FSS, when ordered, built, and commissioned will have super duper tackle thingies that can take the weight as will the receptors on the QE's. Problemmo solved. And you thought the MoD didn't think ahead. You fule.

Of course there's no money, shipbuilding capacity or political backbone to order said FSS but minor detail.

The Royal Navy "need" for COD is for emergency and semi-emergency airlift for personnel & spares to and from the carriers when far, far away. I seem to remember the "to" part being taken care of in the Falklands campaign by stuff being parachuted into the sea close to the ships. Of course some made its way to the briny deep.

Personally, I can't see why Merlins and the long range Chinooks (mk 6?) handling the job. Not exactly an onerous task. And if the carrier is too far away, same as if it were a frigate or destroyer, c'est la vie (gallic shrug).