RN Aircraft Carriers: Queen Elizabeth Class

[Pelican]

FROM NAVY LOOKOUT

RN won't comment about HMSQNLZ and CSG22 deployment as plans are continually changing. Looks likely carrier and escorts will deploy to Mediterranean soon. (Not to the Baltic as had previously been pencilled in).

[Pelican]

QEC CLASS COMPARED WITH USS FORD

[Pelican]

Could Maritime Protector RPAS operate from Royal Navy aircraft carriers?


In May 2022 General Atomics announced they are developing a Short-Takeoff and Landing (STOL) option for their MQ-9B Remotely Piloted Aircraft System (RPAS). This opens up the possibility of operating from aircraft carriers and here we examine this in the context of the RN’s Future Maritime Aviation Force (FMAF) concept.

Protector
The RAF will take delivery of its first Protector, a Medium Altitude Long Endurance (MALE) Remotely Piloted Air System (RPAS) this year and should achive Full Operating Capability by 2024. Protector is a modified MQ-9B SkyGuardian UAV made by General Atomics-Aeronautical Systems-Inc (GA-ASI) and will be used for armed ISTAR, carrying Brimstone missiles and Paveway IV Laser Guided Bombs. 16 Protectors will replace the legacy Reaper fleet and the UK contract with GA includes the option for a further 13.

As part of the FMAF, the RN envisions operating a land-based Maritime Protector variant. GA has developed the SeaGuardian derivative of the MQ-9B with a range of 6,000nm, able to stay on station for up to 25 hours, it has nine hard-points for a sensor or weapon payload of up to 2,100 kg. SeaGuardian can be equipped with a variety of maritime radar and EO sensors and even conduct ASW when equipped with a sonobuoy dispenser. Whether the UK will purchase SeaGuardian for this requirement is unclear for now but with Protector already in service, it would make sense as there would be commonality of logistic support and training. Although a US-made product, the Protector deal includes the involvement of British industry. For example, Isle of Wight-based GKN Aerospace now manufactures the V-tails for all MQ-9B variants.

Continues at - https://www.navylookout.com/could-marit ... -carriers/

[Pelican]

Navy Lookout

The Simon Jenkins Guardian article on Britain’s defence policy is witless, sloppy 'journalism' by someone who does not assess Russia as a threat and at heart wants to disband UK defence.

The pinstripedline takedown: https://thinpinstripedline.blogspot.com ... nking.html

[Both carriers and 'Tour of Duty' are also mentioned in the above blog.]

"Genuine don’t understand how stuff like this gets published. A catalogue of falsehoods longer than the Argos book."
Referring to:
Britain’s defence policy is not British, not defensive and not even a policy. It’s a mess
Simon Jenkins
See - https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfr ... en-wallace

[Pelican]

Congratulations to the Queen Elizabeth Class Logistics Centre project at HMNB Portsmouth, winner of the Sanctuary Awards Sustainable Business Award for the best larger scale or commercial project delivering sustainable solutions to support the Armed Forces.

Video at - https://twitter.com/mod_dio/status/1638161160137588739

[Brian James]

HMS Queen Elizabeth.

[Brian James]

Bridge comparison...HMS Queen Elizabeth.....USS Gerald R. Ford.

[Pelican]

Hi-tech tug training to support Royal Navy carriers’ safe movement in and out of Portsmouth Naval Base

https://www.royalnavy.mod.uk/news-and-l ... BGyWgwBTjY

[Pelican]

At the First Sea Lord’s Sea Power Conference, Admiral Sir Ben Key presented his compelling vision for the future of the Royal Navy.

With an emphasis on the evolution towards a blend of crewed and uncrewed aircraft, he described a path that is set to redefine the nature of maritime operations.
See - https://ukdefencejournal.org.uk/british ... UmZR14kAkw

[ivorthediver]

Well...... you may recall whilst these carriers were being built I said that UAV's would almost certainly be used in the future IMO, which seemed to cause a ripple of disbelief on a placid lake of comments , but here we are a few years down the line and it seems I've been second guessed by the First Sea Lord.....but I suppose in the my score of getting things right occasionally is not so bad eh