Portsmouth to show its pride in the Navy with rare Freedom parade
The people of Portsmouth are encouraged to line the city’s streets on Friday March 11 as more than 120 sailors and Royal Marines march through.
Personnel from Portsmouth Naval Base – including the reservists of HMS King Alfred – will parade through the heart of the city, exercising their right to do so 'with fixed bayonets and colours flying' as they celebrate the Freedom of the City.
Despite an association between the city and Navy going back well over 500 years – long before the name Royal was added – the Senior Service has only enjoyed Portsmouth’s highest honour since the mid-1960s… and has rarely exercised the privilege.
Continues at - https://www.royalnavy.mod.uk/news-and-l ... n8jE3bmzHw
General Naval Topics
-
Pelican
- Posts: 10037
- Joined: Thu Aug 09, 2018 10:10 pm
Re: General Naval Topics
HMS Pelican 1938 - 1958 GGCV L86 U86 F86 What I Have I Hold ~ A wonderful bird is the Pelican its beak can hold more than its belly can.
-
Pelican
- Posts: 10037
- Joined: Thu Aug 09, 2018 10:10 pm
Re: General Naval Topics
From Sea Wolf to Sea Ceptor – the Royal Navy’s defensive shield
In this article, we look at the Sea Wolf missile, and its successor, Sea Ceptor which was formally accepted into RN service in 2018.
The RN’s first missile-killer – Sea Wolf
Sea Wolf began in development began in 1967 and was finally accepted into service in 1979, initially fitted to the Type 22 and some modified Leander frigates. The system was considered the best short-range point defence missile of its time and reputedly intercepted at 4.5” shell in flight during trials. Combat-tested in the 1982 Falklands war, of the 8 missiles fired in anger, it is thought to have achieved 5 aircraft kills. The three Sea-Wolf equipped frigates present never had the opportunity to intercept an Exocet anti-ship missile but acted a ‘goalkeeper’ to the aircraft carriers, providing important defensive reassurance. The weaknesses of the system were primarily due to limitations of radar and computing technology of the time rather than the capabilities of the missile and performance has been considerably evolved over the last 40 years.
The original GWS-25 Conventionally-Launched Seawolf (CLSW) version was manually-loaded into a heavy 7.3-tonne Vickers sextuple launcher which required frequent maintenance and several minutes to reload. Although a lightweight missile, the single-headed CLSW fitted to the Leander class frigates, including fire control radar and computers, had a significant footprint and added a total of 13.5 tonnes to the ship before any rounds were embarked.
As early as 1981, British Aerospace was awarded a £40M contract for the development of the lightweight GWS-26 Mod 2 version for fitting to the Sea-Dart equipped Invincible class carriers and the Batch III Type 42 destroyers. This was based on a 4-barrel launcher designed by Rose Forgrove Ltd weighing just 2.1 tonnes. Vickers also designed a twin-barrelled launcher with automated loading from below, although no prototype was ever built. A smaller Type 911 Mod 3 fire-control radar was also developed and had begun production when the entire lightweight Sea Wolf project was axed as an economy measure as part of the post-Cold War ‘peace dividend’.
The GWS-26 Mod 1 Vertical Launch Seawolf (VLSW) first went to sea in 1990 on board the first Type 23 frigate, HMS Norfolk fitted with a 32-cell silo. Vertically-launched missiles have several advantages over a trainable launcher. As the missile is fired straight upward above the ship’s superstructure there are no blind arcs and the missile can engage targets at 360º. The missiles do not need to be struck down into a magazine in harbour and then and later brought up to the launcher when in action. They are loaded in sealed containers and the full outfit can be fired rapidly if needed. The disadvantages are that the silo is potentially more vulnerable than a magazine deep in the ship and for very close-in engagements, the trainable launcher may be fractionally quicker, allowing direct flight in line of sight to the target. VLS are also very awkward to replenish at sea and no navy has yet to satisfactorily solve this problem. The first VLSW was test-fired in September 1982 and the full £250M production contract was placed in 1984. Vertical launch systems have now almost entirely replaced trainable launchers in modern naval vessels.
Continues at - https://www.navylookout.com/from-sea-wo ... ve-shield/
In this article, we look at the Sea Wolf missile, and its successor, Sea Ceptor which was formally accepted into RN service in 2018.
The RN’s first missile-killer – Sea Wolf
Sea Wolf began in development began in 1967 and was finally accepted into service in 1979, initially fitted to the Type 22 and some modified Leander frigates. The system was considered the best short-range point defence missile of its time and reputedly intercepted at 4.5” shell in flight during trials. Combat-tested in the 1982 Falklands war, of the 8 missiles fired in anger, it is thought to have achieved 5 aircraft kills. The three Sea-Wolf equipped frigates present never had the opportunity to intercept an Exocet anti-ship missile but acted a ‘goalkeeper’ to the aircraft carriers, providing important defensive reassurance. The weaknesses of the system were primarily due to limitations of radar and computing technology of the time rather than the capabilities of the missile and performance has been considerably evolved over the last 40 years.
The original GWS-25 Conventionally-Launched Seawolf (CLSW) version was manually-loaded into a heavy 7.3-tonne Vickers sextuple launcher which required frequent maintenance and several minutes to reload. Although a lightweight missile, the single-headed CLSW fitted to the Leander class frigates, including fire control radar and computers, had a significant footprint and added a total of 13.5 tonnes to the ship before any rounds were embarked.
As early as 1981, British Aerospace was awarded a £40M contract for the development of the lightweight GWS-26 Mod 2 version for fitting to the Sea-Dart equipped Invincible class carriers and the Batch III Type 42 destroyers. This was based on a 4-barrel launcher designed by Rose Forgrove Ltd weighing just 2.1 tonnes. Vickers also designed a twin-barrelled launcher with automated loading from below, although no prototype was ever built. A smaller Type 911 Mod 3 fire-control radar was also developed and had begun production when the entire lightweight Sea Wolf project was axed as an economy measure as part of the post-Cold War ‘peace dividend’.
The GWS-26 Mod 1 Vertical Launch Seawolf (VLSW) first went to sea in 1990 on board the first Type 23 frigate, HMS Norfolk fitted with a 32-cell silo. Vertically-launched missiles have several advantages over a trainable launcher. As the missile is fired straight upward above the ship’s superstructure there are no blind arcs and the missile can engage targets at 360º. The missiles do not need to be struck down into a magazine in harbour and then and later brought up to the launcher when in action. They are loaded in sealed containers and the full outfit can be fired rapidly if needed. The disadvantages are that the silo is potentially more vulnerable than a magazine deep in the ship and for very close-in engagements, the trainable launcher may be fractionally quicker, allowing direct flight in line of sight to the target. VLS are also very awkward to replenish at sea and no navy has yet to satisfactorily solve this problem. The first VLSW was test-fired in September 1982 and the full £250M production contract was placed in 1984. Vertical launch systems have now almost entirely replaced trainable launchers in modern naval vessels.
Continues at - https://www.navylookout.com/from-sea-wo ... ve-shield/
HMS Pelican 1938 - 1958 GGCV L86 U86 F86 What I Have I Hold ~ A wonderful bird is the Pelican its beak can hold more than its belly can.
-
Pelican
- Posts: 10037
- Joined: Thu Aug 09, 2018 10:10 pm
Re: General Naval Topics
UK defence budget could be increased in wake of Russia's invasion of Ukraine
Two sources have told Sky News that defence spending is the most likely of any budget to rise, with additional money for lethal aid for Ukraine and the potential for increases in other areas of defence in the face of the increased threat to NATO from Russia.
Continues at - https://news.sky.com/story/uk-defence-b ... e-12559092
Two sources have told Sky News that defence spending is the most likely of any budget to rise, with additional money for lethal aid for Ukraine and the potential for increases in other areas of defence in the face of the increased threat to NATO from Russia.
Continues at - https://news.sky.com/story/uk-defence-b ... e-12559092
HMS Pelican 1938 - 1958 GGCV L86 U86 F86 What I Have I Hold ~ A wonderful bird is the Pelican its beak can hold more than its belly can.
-
Pelican
- Posts: 10037
- Joined: Thu Aug 09, 2018 10:10 pm
Re: General Naval Topics
Transporting military hardware around the world – UK strategic sealift
A Private Finance Initiative provides the UK Ministry of Defence with four roll-on, roll-off (Ro-Ro) ships available to deliver military vehicles and other equipment around the globe. Here we look at these ships, plans to replace them and their tasks, including recent work to reinforce the British Army in Europe.
Background
The 1998 Defence Review identified a need for six Ro-Ro vessels to provide logistic support for Joint Rapid Reaction Forces and MoD freighting tasks. Reliance on ad-hoc charters or Ships Taken Up From Trade (STUFT) was seen as both expensive in peacetime and uncertain during times of conflict especially as the UK merchant fleet continued to shrink. Designated project SR(Sea) 7047, in October 2000, the MOD signed a 25-year contract with AWSR Shipping to provide six vessels, funded through a £1.25Bn Private Finance Initiative. AWSR was responsible for constructing the ships and providing all-British crews that are eligible to be called out as Sponsored Royal Navy Reservists (under the Reserve Forces Act 1996) if operational requirements demanded.
Continues at - https://www.navylookout.com/transportin ... c-sealift/
A Private Finance Initiative provides the UK Ministry of Defence with four roll-on, roll-off (Ro-Ro) ships available to deliver military vehicles and other equipment around the globe. Here we look at these ships, plans to replace them and their tasks, including recent work to reinforce the British Army in Europe.
Background
The 1998 Defence Review identified a need for six Ro-Ro vessels to provide logistic support for Joint Rapid Reaction Forces and MoD freighting tasks. Reliance on ad-hoc charters or Ships Taken Up From Trade (STUFT) was seen as both expensive in peacetime and uncertain during times of conflict especially as the UK merchant fleet continued to shrink. Designated project SR(Sea) 7047, in October 2000, the MOD signed a 25-year contract with AWSR Shipping to provide six vessels, funded through a £1.25Bn Private Finance Initiative. AWSR was responsible for constructing the ships and providing all-British crews that are eligible to be called out as Sponsored Royal Navy Reservists (under the Reserve Forces Act 1996) if operational requirements demanded.
Continues at - https://www.navylookout.com/transportin ... c-sealift/
HMS Pelican 1938 - 1958 GGCV L86 U86 F86 What I Have I Hold ~ A wonderful bird is the Pelican its beak can hold more than its belly can.
-
Pelican
- Posts: 10037
- Joined: Thu Aug 09, 2018 10:10 pm
Re: General Naval Topics
PM drives up regional investment with 30-year strategy to secure shipbuilding future
The Prime Minister will visit a Merseyside dockyard today as he announces a £4 billion injection into the UK’s regional shipbuilding industry.
See - https://www.gov.uk/government/news/pm-d ... ing-future
The Prime Minister will visit a Merseyside dockyard today as he announces a £4 billion injection into the UK’s regional shipbuilding industry.
See - https://www.gov.uk/government/news/pm-d ... ing-future
HMS Pelican 1938 - 1958 GGCV L86 U86 F86 What I Have I Hold ~ A wonderful bird is the Pelican its beak can hold more than its belly can.
-
Pelican
- Posts: 10037
- Joined: Thu Aug 09, 2018 10:10 pm
Re: General Naval Topics
Some reactions:Pelican wrote: ↑Thu Mar 10, 2022 11:52 am PM drives up regional investment with 30-year strategy to secure shipbuilding future
The Prime Minister will visit a Merseyside dockyard today as he announces a £4 billion injection into the UK’s regional shipbuilding industry.
See - https://www.gov.uk/government/news/pm-d ... ing-future
https://twitter.com/NavyLookout/status/ ... 7051285511
https://twitter.com/NavyLookout/status/ ... 8304675842
https://twitter.com/NavyLookout/status/ ... 1266072576
https://twitter.com/NavyLookout/status/ ... 9030575104 - Wot no Andypandy hat & suit?
HMS Pelican 1938 - 1958 GGCV L86 U86 F86 What I Have I Hold ~ A wonderful bird is the Pelican its beak can hold more than its belly can.
-
Pelican
- Posts: 10037
- Joined: Thu Aug 09, 2018 10:10 pm
Re: General Naval Topics
MASTTPelican wrote: ↑Thu Nov 26, 2020 5:49 pm Uncrewed minehunters to replace conventional vessels
The UK has invested £184 million in the Maritime Mine Counter Measures (MMCM) programme through a joint production contract with France, say DE&S.
The contract sees the UK purchase three sets of equipment. Each set comprises a portable operation centre, an autonomous surface vessel, towed sonar and a mine neutralisation system.
Continues at:
https://ukdefencejournal.org.uk/uncrewe ... pJYiTSKKvQ
Here we are, carrying out Towed Sonar trials from a remote control centre.
MCM autonomy is the future, this exciting capability will be operated by Mine Warfare ratings to ensure a global Navy manoeuvres safely and freely.
See - https://twitter.com/MASTT123456789/stat ... 3475440654
HMS Pelican 1938 - 1958 GGCV L86 U86 F86 What I Have I Hold ~ A wonderful bird is the Pelican its beak can hold more than its belly can.
-
Pelican
- Posts: 10037
- Joined: Thu Aug 09, 2018 10:10 pm
Re: General Naval Topics
THE NATIONAL FLAGSHIP
The design competition for the National Flagship is underway - expect the winning design to be announced in late May.
The build competition will commence soon after with first steel cut by end of 2022.
See - https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2022/0 ... -platinum/
The design competition for the National Flagship is underway - expect the winning design to be announced in late May.
The build competition will commence soon after with first steel cut by end of 2022.
See - https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2022/0 ... -platinum/
HMS Pelican 1938 - 1958 GGCV L86 U86 F86 What I Have I Hold ~ A wonderful bird is the Pelican its beak can hold more than its belly can.
-
Pelican
- Posts: 10037
- Joined: Thu Aug 09, 2018 10:10 pm
Re: General Naval Topics
Britain sets out shipbuilding plans for next 30 yearsPelican wrote: ↑Thu Mar 10, 2022 4:13 pmSome reactions:Pelican wrote: ↑Thu Mar 10, 2022 11:52 am PM drives up regional investment with 30-year strategy to secure shipbuilding future
The Prime Minister will visit a Merseyside dockyard today as he announces a £4 billion injection into the UK’s regional shipbuilding industry.
See - https://www.gov.uk/government/news/pm-d ... ing-future
https://twitter.com/NavyLookout/status/ ... 7051285511
https://twitter.com/NavyLookout/status/ ... 8304675842
https://twitter.com/NavyLookout/status/ ... 1266072576
https://twitter.com/NavyLookout/status/ ... 9030575104 - Wot no Andypandy hat & suit?
The refreshed National Shipbuilding Strategy has set out how many ships and of what types are to be built in the United Kingdom over the next 30 years.
According to the document: See - https://ukdefencejournal.org.uk/britain ... JwafhPZDNQ
HMS Pelican 1938 - 1958 GGCV L86 U86 F86 What I Have I Hold ~ A wonderful bird is the Pelican its beak can hold more than its belly can.
-
Pelican
- Posts: 10037
- Joined: Thu Aug 09, 2018 10:10 pm
Re: General Naval Topics
Royal Navy to take control naval base support fleets
The refreshed National Shipbuilding Strategy has set out Britain’s shipbuilding plans.
According to the document:
“In December 2022, the Royal Navy will take ownership of a fleet of vessels which currently provide In-Port towage, transportation of passengers, and harbour movements of commodities such as stores, ammunition, waste, fuel and other liquids for the UK Naval Bases in Devonport, Faslane and Portsmouth.
An estimated 37 vessels from the current fleet will require replacing from 2025 to ensure these critical services continue to be provided safely and effectively to the Royal Navy.
The vessels will be Government owned but contractor operated. Subject to approved funding, the replacement vessels will be purchased on behalf of the MOD, with it being the responsibility of the contractor to identify the shipyard(s) that best meet the requirement in respect of design, delivery time, and value for money.”
According to a Government statement:
Continues at - https://ukdefencejournal.org.uk/royal-n ... rt-fleets/
The refreshed National Shipbuilding Strategy has set out Britain’s shipbuilding plans.
According to the document:
“In December 2022, the Royal Navy will take ownership of a fleet of vessels which currently provide In-Port towage, transportation of passengers, and harbour movements of commodities such as stores, ammunition, waste, fuel and other liquids for the UK Naval Bases in Devonport, Faslane and Portsmouth.
An estimated 37 vessels from the current fleet will require replacing from 2025 to ensure these critical services continue to be provided safely and effectively to the Royal Navy.
The vessels will be Government owned but contractor operated. Subject to approved funding, the replacement vessels will be purchased on behalf of the MOD, with it being the responsibility of the contractor to identify the shipyard(s) that best meet the requirement in respect of design, delivery time, and value for money.”
According to a Government statement:
Continues at - https://ukdefencejournal.org.uk/royal-n ... rt-fleets/
HMS Pelican 1938 - 1958 GGCV L86 U86 F86 What I Have I Hold ~ A wonderful bird is the Pelican its beak can hold more than its belly can.