UK Defence Forum

“The First Sea Lord has just said 60 F-35, then maybe more up to around 80 for 4 deployable squadrons.”

That sounds great news. From the article, and the spending commitment of £1,400 million, it does sound as if they are buying a 2nd tranche of another 12 (or maybe 13) F35b:
https://ukdj.imgix.net/2022/02/figure44 ... 6fca378c10

If they can then maybe follow up with a future 3rd tranche of another 20 later on, that would get us to 80 aircraft. Hopefylly enough for the 4 deployable squadrons mentioned plus a training squadron. With 16 aircraft each that would allow full squadron of 12, plus 4 spare airframes.

Good news.

Hopefully in time the full 74 will be transferred across to the Fleet Air Arm to allow the RAF to concentrate on Tempest.

https://www.navylookout.com/uk-to-purch ... f-35-jets/

I'd like to see FAA specific F-35B's and their pilots moved from Marham to Yeovilton. As it should have been.

Whatever the Final number, I hardly consider it to be an increase in view of the original intended number.
And we can't forget we've already lost one.
I would also like to see F35 as a Navy only asset. Just a shame we will never own enough to fill two carriers.

Digger22 wrote: ↑28 Apr 2022, 18:36 Whatever the Final number, I hardly consider it to be an increase in view of the original intended number.
And we can't forget we've already lost one.
I would also like to see F35 as a Navy only asset. Just a shame we will never own enough to fill two carriers.

If they get up to 74 *F35B, then we would just barely have enough for four operational squadrons and 1 training squadron, (with 15 airframes for each operational squadron and 14 for training squadron).

If these were dedicated to RN use, then could have two full squadrons with 12 aircraft per squadron for each Carrier Air Wing. That would allow one CSG to operate in rotation, with each carrier, it's own air wing, and the associated escort vessels would their refits and maintenance down time around that of the carrier.

Or might be able to occasionally surge the strike carrier to have 36*F35B onboard and the 2d carrier, used more in helicopter support rol could still carry one squadron of 12*F35B for self defence.

I have always thought the original number was for the production run. That we would purchase numbers late in the program to keep the carrier air wing operational as the flying hours removed early or high hours airframes. This would allow fixed wing carrier ops to continue without expensive refit of the flight deck in later years. Given that the eighty figure is now banded about. Giving four operationsl jet squadrons eighty airframes makes sense. We may be near the original quoted numbers over the life of the program. As later orders are placed at the end of the production run. Rather than the purchase of airframes that are then stored and rotated to keep flighing hours balanced needing upgrades.The only down side to this method of procurement is that you don't have stored airframes to expand your operational aircraft in time of need.

If all navy is the answer the diehards believe how come the navy only and navy budgeted merlins are barely capable of generating a single air wing let alone two?

The problem is the whole premise of the ships themselves was built on a foundation of sand.

Busy day tomorrow in the dockyard it seems, I also start a casual hours job after completing my wooden boat building course, yes it has been a whole year since I started that! I am now a deckhand on LCVP F8 of what was HMS Fearless, doing trips around Pompey harbour!

PhillyJ wrote: ↑02 May 2022, 13:49 I am now a deckhand on LCVP F8 of what was HMS Fearless, doing trips around Pompey harbour!

That sounds like an absolutely glorious job..

Timmymagic wrote: ↑02 May 2022, 14:12

PhillyJ wrote: ↑02 May 2022, 13:49 I am now a deckhand on LCVP F8 of what was HMS Fearless, doing trips around Pompey harbour!

That sounds like an absolutely glorious job..

To be honest, I'd be quite happy doing it for free! Up to 4 trips a day boring the public with my knowledge of the ships and dockyard.

Timmymagic wrote: ↑02 May 2022, 14:12

PhillyJ wrote: ↑02 May 2022, 13:49 I am now a deckhand on LCVP F8 of what was HMS Fearless, doing trips around Pompey harbour!

That sounds like an absolutely glorious job..

Congratulations on your new post, I hope it all leads to a permanent full time position.

A different perspective of watching QNLZ leaving Pompey Harbour, on Landing Craft F8 whilst doing engine and gearbox checks prior to letting the public on her for trips.

Well, she's not doing the Gosport Ferry route, I wonder where she's off to?

SKB wrote: ↑03 May 2022, 20:08 Well, she's not doing the Gosport Ferry route, I wonder where she's off to?

FOST apparently.

QE leaving Portsmouth yesterday.

(Portsmouth Harbour Boats) 3rd May 2022

Looks like QNLZ is doing FOST down in sunnier climes, a bit further afield than the normal cruise off the Dorset coast.

QE proceeding with FOST.....

Fleet Operational Sun Tanning ?

Its getting really tiresome seeing pictures of these carriers at sea with everything on the flight deck except the one bloody thing they were built to carry.

..are they wrapping these F35's up in cotton wool with a 'Break glass in case of emergency' deployment rule or something.

No, but it might be stickers saying “Do not expose to Salt or Water” that some wizard type from the Junior Service thought would be a way of retaining more control of OUR F35bs.

Cooper wrote: ↑11 May 2022, 13:26 Its getting really tiresome seeing pictures of these carriers at sea with everything on the flight deck except the one bloody thing they were built to carry.

..are they wrapping these F35's up in cotton wool with a 'Break glass in case of emergency' deployment rule or something.

Not worth letting the ONE operational Sqn we have recover from the last trip they did?

If (and when) we have more Sqns you will see them embarked more.

Even in the "glory days" of SHAR Sqns still did a significant time ashore.

Well, IT HAS been six months now, Perhaps they will venture out to join in the “Fleet Operational Sun Tanning” exercises ?

Is Gib able to have both carriers at the same time? Just wondering.

PhillyJ wrote: ↑12 May 2022, 08:04 Is Gib able to have both carriers at the same time? Just wondering.

hence my above question re Gib.