Queen Elizabeth Class Aircraft Carriers - News and Discussion

[Repulse]

Nothing new but some interesting context on F35B plans.

https://www.defensenews.com/interviews/ ... equipment/

[Ron5]

From the interview kindly posted by @Repulse:

We have now established two squadrons: a training unit and a front-line squadron. I’m looking to establish a third squadron, and I think I need at least three, probably four squadrons worth of F-35Bs to work off the carriers.

No "probably" in my mind!

So I’m not in any hurry to get to any final figure in the short term.

Let's hope the world stays at your pace then Hasn't in the past.

(should the UK buy model A's) It’s been a live topic over the years in the United Kingdom, and to that, I also say: “Never say never.” But that’s a decision for the future, and that’s something that perhaps my successor will come back to.

They never give up do they

But there is no question that for the Royal Air Force and the Royal Navy, our focus right now is on building sufficient F-35Bs that we can operate from our two carriers, and not be trying to do it with too few aircraft and too few people and putting unnecessary strain on the force.

That's better

getting our Mosquito loyal wingman in service by the end of this decade is my challenge to the team.

That's better yet and a good place to leave

[Jdam]

Getting there

[Anthony58]

Post re F-35 as well as RAF, also on RAF board

Britain’s Royal Air Force chief talks F-35 tally and divesting equipment

https://www.defensenews.com/interviews/ ... equipment/

[topman]

I wonder how the training for all the new skills we'll need will be managed. I see lots of talk about how we need to learn more but at the same time cut the amount of time we spend in formal training and do more on the job training.
Who is going to teach all these new skills, be interesting to see how we square this particular circle.

[abc123]

Post re F-35 as well as RAF, also on RAF board

Britain’s Royal Air Force chief talks F-35 tally and divesting equipment

https://www.defensenews.com/interviews/ ... equipment/

Seems like a pretty carrier-minded man. Nice to see, for a change.

The only thing that bothers me is his attitude of HIM buying the F-35Bs for the carriers. No FSL in that story.

[RichardIC]

The only thing that bothers me is his attitude of HIM buying the F-35Bs for the carriers. No FSL in that story.

Like it or not the F-35s are RAF assets. And the RAF aren't going to let the Royal Navy forget it.

[Timmymagic]

For example would the US of been ok overtly in a falklands situation or would the uk if they used a QEC in a Grenada type situation

Easy answer to that. A USMC pilot was attached to a Sea Harrier Squadron during the Falklands. In the rush to embark everyone 'forgot' about it. He was keen to go South. When the powers that be discovered his presence he was swiftly removed at Ascension Island and returned to the UK to his squadrons and his own chagrin. Apparently he had had a lot of air to air experience and was chomping at the bit...

[Jdam]

For example would the US of been ok overtly in a falklands situation or would the uk if they used a QEC in a Grenada type situation

Easy answer to that. A USMC pilot was attached to a Sea Harrier Squadron during the Falklands. In the rush to embark everyone 'forgot' about it. He was keen to go South. When the powers that be discovered his presence he was swiftly removed at Ascension Island and returned to the UK to his squadrons and his own chagrin. Apparently he had had a lot of air to air experience and was chomping at the bit...

Would love to read about that, was it in a book or something?

[Tempest414]

The only thing that bothers me is his attitude of HIM buying the F-35Bs for the carriers. No FSL in that story.

Like it or not the F-35s are RAF assets. And the RAF aren't going to let the Royal Navy forget it.

That's right but it is the Navies job to keep the pressure on to make sure they are a carrier only asset i.e not giving the RAF time to wonder off with them. Meaning if they do want to do anything other than carrier ops they will need 4 sqn's

[Tempest414]

I wonder how the training for all the new skills we'll need will be managed. I see lots of talk about how we need to learn more but at the same time cut the amount of time we spend in formal training and do more on the job training.
Who is going to teach all these new skills, be interesting to see how we square this particular circle.

Bang on with so few front line sqn's and the high tempo of ops training at this level will be hard. Same old story shave a bit more off training

[RichardIC]

That's right but it is the Navies job to keep the pressure on to make sure they are a carrier only asset i.e not giving the RAF time to wonder off with them. Meaning if they do want to do anything other than carrier ops they will need 4 sqn's

So the worrying concern from the article posted is that the RAF still haven't ruled the F-35A out of the mix, much reduced as we know it's going to be.

[Defiance]

Would love to read about that, was it in a book or something?

I'm pretty sure it comes up in Harrier 809 by Roland White

So the worrying concern from the article posted is that the RAF still haven't ruled the F-35A out of the mix, much reduced as we know it's going to be.

Keeps FCAS guys on their toes I guess, knowing there is a real alternative if they balls it up

[Tempest414]

That's right but it is the Navies job to keep the pressure on to make sure they are a carrier only asset i.e not giving the RAF time to wonder off with them. Meaning if they do want to do anything other than carrier ops they will need 4 sqn's

So the worrying concern from the article posted is that the RAF still haven't ruled the F-35A out of the mix, much reduced as we know it's going to be.

Again it is the navies job to stop that and push for more B's I think 60 is the magic number as this allows for max effort of say 25 jets per carrier with this being said if the RAF wanted A's then an order for 40 A's could be made after the 60 B's have been confirmed but which make an order for 100 F-35 or 2/3 of the 138 talked about but the money would have to come from cutting 3 typhoon sqn's or the Tempest budget

[Timmymagic]

Again it is the navies job to stop that and push for more B's I think 60 is the magic number as this allows for max effort of say 25 jets per carrier with this being said if the RAF wanted A's then an order for 40 A's could be made after the 60 B's have been confirmed but which make an order for 100 F-35 or 2/3 of the 138 talked about but the money would have to come from cutting 3 typhoon sqn's or the Tempest budget

Realistically to be able to get 24 to sea in an emergency on both carriers we'd need at least 75 (which in practice would mean 72 combat capable due to the 3 ITF aircraft). The dream would be mid-90's. That would give enough for both carriers and a limited expeditionary capability.

[abc123]

The only thing that bothers me is his attitude of HIM buying the F-35Bs for the carriers. No FSL in that story.

Like it or not the F-35s are RAF assets. And the RAF aren't going to let the Royal Navy forget it.

Wait, I thought that the F-35 is a JOINT asset?

[Ron5]

[SKB]

(Navy Lookout) 5th May 2021

Wildcats of 815 Naval Air Squadron taking off in formation as they deployed for 7 months with the Carrier Strike Group on 1st May 2021.
Video: Royal Navy / RNAS Yeovilton

(Navy Lookout) 11th May 2021

HMS Lancaster sailed to join up with HMS Albion and RFA Mounts Bay on the Littoral Response Group (North) deployment to Norway and the Baltic. Video: Portsmouth Proud

[serge750]

The V22 looks so good onboard !! maybe they could get painted in Royal Navy colours " no honestly Mr USMC officer they our ours ! " or perhaps since the US use our decks maybe get a few as payment....

[Scimitar54]

Well the precedent for Lend-Lease was set during WW2!

[inch]

Well we are best buddies , sure they be happy to donate say 3 to their pals ,they got loads

[SKB]

[Jdam]

We cant go more than 24 hours without an update



Amazing how they can make the QE look small and cramped

[SKB]

Which crate contains the Ark of the Covenant?! ^

[andrew98]

You'd have thought they'd have designed some storage areas other than the aircraft hangar.