Big new boats on the way!!!

[Catchpole]

I can see the need for a carrier strike force, on a practical level, how on earth are we to protect them on operations?  Where are the Frigates and destroyers that are needed as Fleet protection?

[Perdu]

Had a senior moment there, couldn't remember which of the "I"s was first, Invincible then!

We can always borrow other vessels from the rest of Europe of course, committed aint they?

 

[Catchpole]

Too true Bill, that is what happens when say NATO goes to war, it would be a mixed strike force, something like the Gulf at present, but during normal peace time, unless they are on exercise, we don't have enough surface ships to cover the need.  Belgium has more ships than us

[Leftie]

Too true Bill, that is what happens when say NATO goes to war, it would be a mixed strike force, something like the Gulf at present, but during normal peace time, unless they are on exercise, we don't have enough surface ships to cover the need.  Belgium has more ships than us

All we have now is the equiverlent to a 'Fisheries Protection Force'.

Bring back the Cod Wars and we'd be *ucked!

[Perdu]

As long as the SUN readers keep voting as Murdoch tells them we will always have Gordon the Scottish Taxer ruling what used to be a kingdom.

It really honestly scares me because the tree hugging idiot the cowardly tories gave their "MAIN MAN" job to is little, if anything, better

I think a UKIP or BNP vote is all I can do to protest with...

And once we had a Navy that was bloody worth the money

An Air Force that spelled out "FORCE"

And an Army that stood proud across the world and was looked up to, even by its adversaries...

And even a police force, not a police service...

My God, must be time for bed...

[Leftie]

As long as the SUN readers keep voting as Murdoch tells them we will always have Gordon the Scottish Taxer ruling what used to be a kingdom.

It really honestly scares me because the tree hugging idiot the cowardly tories gave their "MAIN MAN" job to is little, if anything, better

I think a UKIP or BNP vote is all I can do to protest with...

And once we had a Navy that was bloody worth the money

An Air Force that spelled out "FORCE"

And an Army that stood proud across the world and was looked up to, even by its adversaries...

And even a police force, not a police service...

My God, must be time for bed...

Perdu,

Can't argue with anything you've said.  100% with you.

Get everyone out voting, if they don't vote they have no right to complain.

BNP, probably no no, but UKIP!  Farage seems to be doing a good job but are they really serious about forming an 'administration?

Lib' Dems, only chance would be in a co-alition.

Tories, At least we'd get a referendum on the 'treaty'.

Labour,  more taxes, more regulation, etc.  Have you read George Orwell?  1984 is Labour's bible.

Why the f**k I'm still in this rain sodden, God forsaken, over taxed country I don't know, but it's my choice through necessity.

[Canada Phil]

WTF is a JSF?

Thanks Matt. I bet it turns out to be some kind of flying thingy like we used to call Aeroplanes which morphed into Airplanes What ever it is it's over budget already and it may or may not actually fly
Phil

[Dobbo]

I can see the need for a carrier strike force, on a practical level, how on earth are we to protect them on operations?  Where are the Frigates and destroyers that are needed as Fleet protection?

There are currently 6 Type45 Destroyers being built in Glasgow (possibly more to follow). 2 have been launched already and ship 3 is sitting proudly on the side of the Clyde.
The type 23 friggates aren't that old either. They were built all through the 90s.

[John Boy]

Yup, 6 Type 45 only.  Originally was going to be 12, then cut back to 10, then 8.  6 are under contract, the other 2 aren't and if they every are it'll be so far into the future that they'll probably be a new class of 2 anyway.  So bascially we'll have two shiney new carrrier, with nothing to fly off them, and no frigates/destroyers to protect them.   

Finally a topic on here I know something about.  I can be a nerd too. 

[Catchpole]

Excellent news, it's great having that little bit extra of griff, with a bit of luck we can get indignantly pissed off too

Our military is in a right old state all the juicy postings have long gone, so not much chance of a posting other to the sandpit again after coming back from operations.

[Lorry]

................So bascially we'll have two shiney new carrrier, with nothing to fly off them, and no frigates/destroyers to protect them.   ......

Isn't this where we were 5 years ago?

And whilst shiny new carrier 1 is in for a respray, we only have one left to rule the world.  Having 3 was a better idea, ,as one would always be in dock

[Lee Self]

WTF is a JSF?

Thanks Matt. I bet it turns out to be some kind of flying thingy like we used to call Aeroplanes which morphed into Airplanes What ever it is it's over budget already and it may or may not actually fly
Phil

JSF images here:
http://www.lockheedmartin.com/wms/findPage.do?dsp=fec&prfr=false&ci=15401&sc=400&ti=&mm=&dd=&yy=&cpi=&bs=&es=&fti=&rsbci=15401&rsbi=

-Lee

[Chris24]

Certainly hope it fly's since the rear fuselage is constructed about 150 yards away from where i build Eurofighter wiring looms !

[mgmark]

WTF is a JSF?

Thanks Matt. I bet it turns out to be some kind of flying thingy like we used to call Aeroplanes which morphed into Airplanes What ever it is it's over budget already and it may or may not actually fly
Phil

Phil,

Aircraft please...... JSF is the big programme for the Lockeed Martin F-35 Lightining II  http://www.airforce-technology.com/projects/jsf/.  The STOVL variant is the one they've having weight issues with (like too much of it), but the various variants will end up replacing a lot of aircraft give nt enumber of nat5ions signed up to the production and beyond phase

MG Mark

[John Boy]

As far as I'm aware we are the only ones committed to the STOVL version at the mo.  The US don't want it for their carriers.  The US marines (I think?) may want it as a replacement for their harriers.  But if they don't sign up we could be in trouble as it won't be made just for us.  Could be looking at a marinised Typhoon yet (and thant's not an aircraft soaked in sauce overnight).

On the up side, the CVF are being designed so that they can be retrofitted with steam catapults and arrestor gear (another sucessful British invention we no longer use), so we can adopt the other version of the F-35.

The easiest way to wind up the retired naval bods in our office is to get them talking about CVF, T45, it ain't like it used to be....  Hours of fun