Queen Elizabeth Class Aircraft Carriers - News and Discussion

Contains threads on Royal Navy equipment of the past, present and future.
jonas
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Re: Queen Elizabeth Class Aircraft Carriers - News and Discussion

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SKB
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Re: Queen Elizabeth Class Aircraft Carriers - News and Discussion

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Photos:
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SKB
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Re: Queen Elizabeth Class Aircraft Carriers - News and Discussion

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(Navy Lookout/RN) 29th September 2021
QinetiQ Banshee Jet 80+ target drones have been launched from HMS Prince of Wales operating off the Scottish coast during exercise Joint Warrior 26/9/21.

This is part of a trial to assess Bashee's potential to simulate missile/aircraft threats for training purposes. (Max speed 400knots). The Hawk Jets currently used in the training role will be withdrawn in Spring 2022.

At end of the run, Banshee descends by parachute for recovery on land

Parachute recovery at 5:00.
Meggitt Defence Systems Ltd were acquired by Qinetic in 2016: https://www.qinetiq.com/en/news/qinetiq ... et-systems

PhillyJ
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Re: Queen Elizabeth Class Aircraft Carriers - News and Discussion

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JW over, nipper had quite a few other Naval craft to track in the ops room. Assume Pompey Revs now happening for PWLS 8-)

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SKB
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Re: Queen Elizabeth Class Aircraft Carriers - News and Discussion

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Some more Banshee photos, from Navy Lookout
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PoW has a new third island. :mrgreen:
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Ron5
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Re: Queen Elizabeth Class Aircraft Carriers - News and Discussion

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Loyal Wingman Mk 1 :)

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SKB
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Re: Queen Elizabeth Class Aircraft Carriers - News and Discussion

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That grey one, number 7450, could be considered the first "fixed wing aircraft" (Launched from a carrier) to have "Royal Navy" painted on its side since Sea Harriers last left HMS Ark Royal in November 2010.

EDITED

abc123
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Re: Queen Elizabeth Class Aircraft Carriers - News and Discussion

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SKB wrote:That grey one, number 7450, could be considered the first "fixed wing aircraft" to have "Royal Navy" painted on its side since Sea Harriers last left HMS Ark Royal in November 2010.
Lightnings will not have before 2023?
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Oh, noone's ever heard of Fortune favoring them, sir.
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Timmymagic
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Re: Queen Elizabeth Class Aircraft Carriers - News and Discussion

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SKB wrote:That grey one, number 7450, could be considered the first "fixed wing aircraft" to have "Royal Navy" painted on its side since Sea Harriers last left HMS Ark Royal in November 2010.
I'm guessing you mean onboard a ship? Because if not the Hawk T1's of 736 NAS and Beechcraft Avengers of 750 NAS want to have a word...

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SKB
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Re: Queen Elizabeth Class Aircraft Carriers - News and Discussion

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Yes, specifically from a carrier. ^

PhillyJ
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Re: Queen Elizabeth Class Aircraft Carriers - News and Discussion

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PhillyJ wrote:JW over, nipper had quite a few other Naval craft to track in the ops room. Assume Pompey Revs now happening for PWLS 8-)
confirmed that Pompey Revs are indeed on...

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Tempest414
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Re: Queen Elizabeth Class Aircraft Carriers - News and Discussion

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Some really great shots of POW with Albion , Mounts Bay , Karl Doorman , Rotterdam a Tide class plus two T-23's and the escorts of SNMG-1. If only POW had a flight deck full of F-35 it would be some battle group

Repulse
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Re: Queen Elizabeth Class Aircraft Carriers - News and Discussion

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It is really great to see the RN coming together and creating credible task groups.

Complete fantasy - but just think how a third carrier (and a 3rd CBG) would give the RN a new dimension, and a much more credible global projection capability.
”We have no eternal allies, and we have no perpetual enemies. Our interests are eternal and perpetual, and those interests it is our duty to follow." - Lord Palmerston

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Tempest414
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Re: Queen Elizabeth Class Aircraft Carriers - News and Discussion

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From a NATO Europe point of view the 3rd carrier battle group could or would be built around the French carrier and maybe a forth around the Italian light carrier

But yes it is great to see the RN at sea heading two large naval groups

Poiuytrewq
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Re: Queen Elizabeth Class Aircraft Carriers - News and Discussion

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Repulse wrote:...just think how a third carrier...
Little hope of that I'm afraid but basing the LSG's around an Ocean sized LPH/LHD is neither unaffordable or unattainable IMO.

Maybe if Navantia get the nod for the FSS a couple of Canberra's will roll down the pipe in time.

Adding an F35 capability would then be a natural progression especially if other Allied nations were doing likewise.

PhillyJ
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Re: Queen Elizabeth Class Aircraft Carriers - News and Discussion

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PhillyJ wrote:
PhillyJ wrote:JW over, nipper had quite a few other Naval craft to track in the ops room. Assume Pompey Revs now happening for PWLS 8-)
confirmed that Pompey Revs are indeed on...
Hmm, 0220 entry into Pompey tomorrow morning for PWLS, not sure I'll make that! :o

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Tempest414
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Re: Queen Elizabeth Class Aircraft Carriers - News and Discussion

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Poiuytrewq wrote:
Repulse wrote:...just think how a third carrier...
Little hope of that I'm afraid but basing the LSG's around an Ocean sized LPH/LHD is neither unaffordable or unattainable IMO.

Maybe if Navantia get the nod for the FSS a couple of Canberra's will roll down the pipe in time.

Adding an F35 capability would then be a natural progression especially if other Allied nations were doing likewise.
If I had my way I would have a cross between a Invincible class and Ocean say 220 x 40 meters able to make 22 knots and operate 10 F-35 and 10 Helicopters or 25 Helicopter

Repulse
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Re: Queen Elizabeth Class Aircraft Carriers - News and Discussion

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Tempest414 wrote:
Poiuytrewq wrote:
Repulse wrote:...just think how a third carrier...
Little hope of that I'm afraid but basing the LSG's around an Ocean sized LPH/LHD is neither unaffordable or unattainable IMO.

Maybe if Navantia get the nod for the FSS a couple of Canberra's will roll down the pipe in time.

Adding an F35 capability would then be a natural progression especially if other Allied nations were doing likewise.
If I had my way I would have a cross between a Invincible class and Ocean say 220 x 40 meters able to make 22 knots and operate 10 F-35 and 10 Helicopters or 25 Helicopter
A third “escort” carrier does make a lot of sense. I’m not talking about a LHD or even a RM platform.

The RM LRGs will be a combination of smaller platforms that can distribute across a wider area to open the door. What comes next has to be an Army Brigade, which would be transported using logistical RFAs, chartered ROROs and STUFT.

The gap I see is the need for an Escort Carrier for the Army Group. Sure a QE could do it but it’s over kill and having a third platform will give 100% availability of this and a CBG. The Escort carrier would solely be focused on CAP, AEW and ASW so something in the order of 8 F35B + 8 Merlins, perhaps something the size of Cavour.
”We have no eternal allies, and we have no perpetual enemies. Our interests are eternal and perpetual, and those interests it is our duty to follow." - Lord Palmerston

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Jensy
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Re: Queen Elizabeth Class Aircraft Carriers - News and Discussion

Post by Jensy »

I still have memories of when a theoretical third carrier was being spoken of semi-seriously under Blair but I suspect it was to ensure that two would be seen as the absolute minimum.

Far too late now to gain any economies of scale from the QE Class.

The Trieste seems like a perfect LHD solution, and delivered for less than a B1 Type 26. Ideally suited for a country that already operates Lightning B and Merlin.... :shh:

However, with finances the way they are, we might need to set out sights considerably lower:

Max Jones
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Re: Queen Elizabeth Class Aircraft Carriers - News and Discussion

Post by Max Jones »

Jensy wrote:I still have memories of when a theoretical third carrier was being spoken of semi-seriously under Blair but I suspect it was to ensure that two would be seen as the absolute minimum.

Far too late now to gain any economies of scale from the QE Class.

The Trieste seems like a perfect LHD solution, and delivered for less than a B1 Type 26. Ideally suited for a country that already operates Lightning B and Merlin.

However, with finances the way they are, we might need to set out sights considerably lower:
As far as a single ship goes I think Trieste (or a similar LPH) would be a perfect addition to the RN - it would bring amphibious capability back up with the option for a full ARG, filling that gap, and would be able to perform some additional roles like humanitarian aid and maybe even supporting ASW.

There isn't really the support network in place for another carrier in the present climate but an extra LHD/LPH would be manageable if the crew was kept low. Might need to improve the helicopter force a bit but no one else is using the HC3/4s in large quantities that were fine on HMS Ocean so I would assume there is enough availability.

Repulse
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Re: Queen Elizabeth Class Aircraft Carriers - News and Discussion

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I don’t believe the UK will ever have a ARG again, the direction is small groups of RMs, dispersed on smaller platforms, and coming together for larger ops - no 30k LHD.

Also, given budget constraints, I think the key for a 3rd flat top is not to try and build a mini strike carrier. It should be purely a defensive Escort Carrier, built to commercial standard with a handful of F35Bs and Merlins enough to protect a “Army Transport Group”.
”We have no eternal allies, and we have no perpetual enemies. Our interests are eternal and perpetual, and those interests it is our duty to follow." - Lord Palmerston

serge750
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Re: Queen Elizabeth Class Aircraft Carriers - News and Discussion

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For my 2 cents worth - a 3rd QEC would be overkill but a Mistral or two would be good replacements for the Albion class or as said if a escort carrier was needed a Cavour would be perfect as would be able to re-role as a LPH :thumbup:

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SKB
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Re: Queen Elizabeth Class Aircraft Carriers - News and Discussion

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HMS Prince of Wales declared "ready for operations".


More: https://www.royalnavy.mod.uk/news-and-l ... rrior-ends

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SKB
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Re: Queen Elizabeth Class Aircraft Carriers - News and Discussion

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(@HMSPWLS) 1st October 2021
Her Majesty's Starship Prince of Wales is returning home to HMNB Portsmouth.
Operating with F35s ✔
Operating with helicopters ✔
Operating with NATO partners ✔
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PoW passed Portsmouth's Round Tower at 02:45 BST (01:45 GMT)

Poiuytrewq
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Re: Queen Elizabeth Class Aircraft Carriers - News and Discussion

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Repulse wrote:Also, given budget constraints, I think the key for a 3rd flat top is not to try and build a mini strike carrier. It should be purely a defensive Escort Carrier, built to commercial standard with a handful of F35Bs and Merlins enough to protect a “Army Transport Group”.
serge750 wrote:For my 2 cents worth - a 3rd QEC would be overkill but a Mistral or two would be good replacements for the Albion class or as said if a escort carrier was needed a Cavour would be perfect as would be able to re-role as a LPH :thumbup:
A class of 2 modernised Oceans at around £500m each seems like tremendous value for money compared to the other options available.

Much better than using PWLS as an LPH.

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