British Military Pictures Thread

[kwaigonegin]

Obi wan.. I can't find anywhere that CVN-78 was to be orginally CVN-21. As stated by Obi Wan CVN-21 is the program for a 21st century carrier..

Navy CVN-21 Aircraft Carrier Program: Background and Issues for Congress

12 B per ship? yikes! that's more the the defence budget of MOST countries and more than the total GNP of many others! At least with the new flat-tops the operating cost is slightly lower than the nimitz class (hopefully)

[bd popeye]

^^ and that's just a guess..I wonder what the final cost shall be?

[Obi Wan Russell]

Here's a first glimpse of the new CATOBAR Queen Elizabeth class with F-35Cs on deck, though I have to say I'm not keen on the deck markings, we should go with the British broken red stripe centreline, it looks a lot smarter!

Note the reshaped forward end of the angled deck and the port forward CIWS Sponson, moved back to it's original position now.

[Mr T]

Nice pic, Obi Wan. Can't wait until she's launched!

[Scratch]

Indeed, looks really good.
So will QE get steam cats now or is there anyting to the rumor of EMALS?
And since the provisions for CATOBAR were already introduced in the planning phase I guess there won't be any further changes to the hull imparting volume or so?

[Obi Wan Russell]

Indeed, looks really good.
So will QE get steam cats now or is there anyting to the rumor of EMALS?
And since the provisions for CATOBAR were already introduced in the planning phase I guess there won't be any further changes to the hull imparting volume or so?

They'll be getting EMALs or the British developed EMCAT, as these just require electricity. This also explains the ISD delay to 2019, as steam catapults could be available a lot sooner. The ships have no provision for steam generation (although adding auxilliary boilers wouldn't be too difficult, the French PA2 variant was scheduled to recieve C-13s and the preliminary design alterations have already been done). Provision for increasing the electrical generating capacity of the CVF's has been included in the design (by an extra 50% I believe), and add to that the weight of the installation of EMALS/EMCAT is expected to be about 25% of the comparable steam catapults as no resovoir or heavy steam pipework are needed.

[Scratch]

Ok, really good news at least. Even if it takes another decade, there'll be fine results eventually. So in the end QE won't actually be ready too long before the Lightning II arrives anyway.
Will the additional electricity for EMCAT come from the main engine stack, or additional engines? I wonder if repeated EMCAT launches will impart a certain momentary penatly on the speed of the vessel, or how long it might take before the EMCAT is loaded up again (in comparison to producing the steam for another shot).
Also, do you know if the arresting system will be purely mechanical pulling a weight or if that's electrical as well, wich would allow some regaining of electr. energy?

[Obi Wan Russell]

Ok, really good news at least. Even if it takes another decade, there'll be fine results eventually. So in the end QE won't actually be ready too long before the Lightning II arrives anyway.
Will the additional electricity for EMCAT come from the main engine stack, or additional engines? I wonder if repeated EMCAT launches will impart a certain momentary penatly on the speed of the vessel, or how long it might take before the EMCAT is loaded up again (in comparison to producing the steam for another shot).
Also, do you know if the arresting system will be purely mechanical pulling a weight or if that's electrical as well, wich would allow some regaining of electr. energy?

The additional electrical generating capacity for CVF AFAIK is to come from fitting more GTs and Diesel generators, something provided for in the original design should more power be required. If the ships are designed to reach full speed with the existing power plant, then adding more engines will cover the needs of the cats without reducing speed. The arrestor gear is again scheduled to be of the advanced electrical type being developed by the USN to partner the EMALS. Subject to the usual cock ups in development/procurement!

[bd popeye]

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HMS Cornwall Frees Hostages From Pirates

A request for assistance from a South Korean Merchant Vessel in the Indian Ocean on 10th February led to Combined Maritime Forces (CMF) warship HMS Cornwall securing the release of Yemeni crew of a pirated dhow from their 17 Somali captors and returning the fishing vessel to its rightful owners. Items found with the dhow confirmed that it was acting as a ‘mother ship’ for Somali pirates who had captured it on 11th November 2010.

Rest of the Story Here: http://www.royalnavy.mod.uk/operatio...ll_frees_h.htm

[bd popeye]

HMS Cumberland passes Arabian Gulf duties to HMS Iron Duke with a traditional sail past.
Iron Duke now assumes the responsibility for protecting Iraqi oil facilities, and denying unwelcome access to Iraqi waters, and part of Operation Telic, the UK's continuing Iraqi mission

[bd popeye]

British Royal Air Force (RAF) personnel wait in an air base building at Gioia Dell Colle, in Italy March 21, 2011.

A pilot climbs out of a British Typhoon jet fighter of the Royal Air Force's Number 3 Squadron, parked at Gioia del Colle air base near Bari, Southern Italy, as Italian army trucks stand nearby, Monday March 21, 2011.

A British RAF Tornado lands at Gioia del Colle NATO Airbase in southern Italy March 21, 2011.

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March 19, 2011. Royal Air Force personnel from RAF Marham prepare a Tornado GR4 aircraft ahead of operations in support of UN Resolution 1973 to enforce the no-fly zone over Libya. ( Photographer: Cpl Nik Howe. By Defence Images)

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March 19, 2011. Royal Air Force personnel from RAF Marham prepare an electronic countermeasures (ECM) pod for fitting to a Tornado GR4 aircraft. This was ahead of operations in support of UN Resolution 1973 to enforce the no-fly zone over Libya. ( Photographer: SAC Lisa Conway. By Defence Images)

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March 19, 2011. Royal Air Force personnel from RAF Marham prepare an electronic countermeasures (ECM) pod for fitting to a Tornado GR4 aircraft. This was ahead of operations in support of UN Resolution 1973 to enforce the no-fly zone over Libya. ( Photographer: SAC Lisa Conway. By Defence Images)

Op ELLAMY Royal Air Force (RAF) Tornado Take-Off from RAF Marham. RAF Tornado jets from RAF Marham, Norfolk, have continued to fly sorties over Lybia, in Support of UN Resolution 1973.[Picture: Corporal Brad Hanson, Crown Copyright/MOD 2011]

Op ELLAMY: Royal Air Force VC10 and TriStar air-to-air refuelling aircraft from RAF Brize Norton supported operations on the night of Saturday 19 March against targets in Libya, as part of the enforcement of UN Security Council Resolution 1973. They accompanied RAF Tornado GR4 fast jets from RAF Marham that struck Libyan air defences in the longest strike mission since the Black Buck operations during the Falklands conflict. Click here to read more. [Picture: Crown Copyright/MOD 2011]

British soldiers have stamped their authority on an insurgent-occupied area of Helmand's Nahr-e Saraj district by defying enemy fighters to launch a confident reconnaissance mission. Troops from the 1st Battalion Irish Guards proved the extent to which they have ground down the insurgency by marching into a 'stronghold' with hardly any resistance as they checked out a possible site for a new patrol base in the town of Pasab. [Picture: Lance Corporal Jeremy Fasci, US Department of Defense 2011]

Soldiers pictured training among newly planted trees at Warcop.
Copyright: The Woodland Trust 2011

His Royal Highness Prince Harry presents Operation TELIC medals to members of HM Ships Grimsby, Middleton and Pembroke
[Picture: LA(Phot) Jenny Lodge, Crown Copyright/MOD 2011]

Royal Marine Commando LCAC hovercraft of 539 Assault Squadron crashed into Blackfriars Bridge on the River Thames, London, while on a demonstration exercise with HMS Bulwark in Greenwich. The starboard skirt was badly damaged, rendering it unable to steer. The hovercraft had to be towed away by the accompanying Marine fast boats.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/mikekp/...7626288270032/

HMS BULWARK pays a Formal Visit to London from 16-21 Mar 11. The purpose of the visit is to showcase the Royal Navy to the City of London and to demonstrate just some of the tasks and roles that are assigned to a ‘Landing Platform Deployable’ (LPD) in the modern Royal Navy, whilst reminding key stakeholders just what they provide to the nation. .
During its time in the Port of London BULWARK will be hosting numerous VVIPs with the key highlight of its visit being the Reaction Force Task Group (RFTG) demonstration when BULWARK will combine with 539 ASRM, 40 Commando Royal Marines, Combined Helicopter Force (CHF), Armoured Support Company (ASC) and Fleet Protection Group Royal Marines (FPGRM) to demonstrate the various capabilities we can offer..
Here we have the Ships Company in Procedure Alpha on her way into Greenwich. .
These images feature Flight deck activities and Special Forces Operation from a Seaking helicopter..
Images: LA(PHOT) Martin Carney

[TerraN_EmpirE]

in the last pic the guy on the left looks too be aiming a G3 with a para stock, Grip pod and 6xpowered Acog

[Obi Wan Russell]

HMS Invincible departed Pompey for the last time on thursday morning, on her way to the Breakers in Turkey. She' actually be the only carrier we dispatch to Lybia! In the background can be seen HMS Ark Royal, also recently decommissioned (note her Phalanx and 996 radar have been removed). The MOD refused to provide even a piper to see her off, and it was left to the British Legion and ex-crew members (including her Falklands era skipper, Adm J.J.Black) to provide the send off.

Ark Royal herself has now been listed for disposal, tenders to be recieved within a month. It is clear the Government will not even retain her in reserve for any length of time. It is widely expected Ark will follow Invincible to Turkey by the summer.

[bd popeye]

The MOD refused to provide even a piper to see her off, and it was left to the British Legion and ex-crew members (including her Falklands era skipper, Adm J.J.Black) to provide the send off.

Bravo to these men for sending off the HMS Invincible in a proper manner. So fitting for a ship of this caliber..Shame on the MoD for not having arraigned some ceremony for this valiant ship and former crew members.

[Obi Wan Russell]

The British Government has totally bought the RAF's Global HNS plan same as they did in 1966 and 1981. Even though they have switched to the F-35C for the future carrier air group, they are also deluding themselves if they think you can operate CATOBAR aircraft from the deck on a part time basis like they did with the Harriers. If the RAF has their way those aircraft will never see the deck of any carrier, or grudginly for two weeks a year 'detachments' without full onboard support as they did with the Harrier. Hopefully the pendulum will swing back in the next few years and the Lightnings will be Dark Blue, not crab infested!