Aircraft Carriers III

Mr T

Senior Member
The British prefer “Light”carriers more intended to escort but capable of Amphibious air assault. As such they moved away from cats in favor of aircraft that could SVTOL. They wanted a platform for defense of their operations, base for air assault and ASW.

I'm not sure that's actually the case, but happy to be corrected. I was under the impression that it was necessary because the UK government wouldn't pay for large carriers so the Navy had to make smaller "through-deck cruisers" that they wouldn't be able to configure for CATOBAR (either because that would give the game away or because there wasn't the money for it).

As for the QE-class, catapults were looked at but the electromagnetic solution was considered to be too expensive/risky and steam-powered catapults weren't possible.

That said I suppose you're right that for now the MSDF might not need a ski jump as they won't be intending to flying into enemy airspace.
 

Obi Wan Russell

Jedi Master
VIP Professional
Finally. Hopefully they'll build more than one ship this time.
Well if they drop the nuclear requirement they can afford two ships. That's how expensive a nuclear powerplant is, and that's why we didn't go nuclear for CVF. We needed two ships, and the only way we could fit that in the budget was conventional power.122368333_10158759121457418_3118152767131627313_o.jpg
 

gelgoog

Brigadier
Registered Member
I don't know if nuclear would be that much more expensive. I mean doesn't the Charles de Gaulle use the same reactors as their SSBNs?
The K15 reactor? The same they use in the Triomphant class SSBNs.
From what I understand the reactor even runs on low enriched uranium i.e. the same you use in land based nuclear power plants.
They already have to fabricate these reactors for the SSBNs together with the fuel. Making a couple more units shouldn't cost that much.

The British could have done the same and used Rolls Royce PWR2 reactors. More modern reactors even come with enough fuel built-in to last 30 years without refueling. So you basically don't need to do any maintenance to the engine. But to be honest I think the lack of catapults is more of an issue than the lack of nuclear power.
 
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Obi Wan Russell

Jedi Master
VIP Professional
I don't know if nuclear would be that much more expensive. I mean doesn't the Charles de Gaulle use the same reactors as their SSBNs?
The K15 reactor? The same they use in the Triomphant class SSBNs.
From what I understand the reactor even runs on low enriched uranium i.e. the same you use in land based nuclear power plants.
They already have to fabricate these reactors for the SSBNs together with the fuel. Making a couple more units shouldn't cost that much.

The British could have done the same and used Rolls Royce PWR2 reactors. More modern reactors even come with enough fuel built-in to last 30 years without refueling. So you basically don't need to do any maintenance to the engine. But to be honest I think the lack of catapults is more of an issue than the lack of nuclear power.
Nuclear power is expensive, doesn't matter who makes the plant it still has to be paid for. As as rule of thumb any ship design you add as nuclear powerplant to will double in price compared to a conventional vessel. That's why the French could only afford one carrier to replace the Clemenceaus. It's also why we went with conventional power for the QECs, we had an overriding requirement for two ships so that one would always be available. We had a fixed budget. Nuclear power just wasn't as option for two ships.
 

XavNN

Junior Member
Registered Member
UK Naval Industry Eyes Technology Transfer For South Korea’s LPX-II Project

According to the Korea Herald newspaper, the UK Government and Babcock International, which led the Royal Navy Queen Elizabeth-class aircraft carrier design process, « are said to be actively engaging with their South Korean counterparts ». Babcock would be offering technology transfer and technical skills in regard to short take off and vertical landing (STOVL) aircraft carrier design and F-35B fighter jet integration and operation. Babcock is currently involved in the ROK Navy’s KSS-III large attack submarine program.
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asif iqbal

Lieutenant General
I remember back years ago RN had built a model of the QE+ Tide class tanker

the purpose of this model was to evaluate the effects of waves and other parameters like wind etc on the QE deck and how side by side replenishment can be conducted by two large warships

now those too are sailing side by side

great to see the progress

lets hope RN gets more F35B and packs out that deck!

Royal Navy Carrier Strike Group

1 x Queen Elizabeth Carrier
2 x Type 45 DDG
3 x Type 31 FFG
1 x Tide Class Tanker
1 x Astute Class Hunter Killer

What a powerful battle group now times that by 2!!
 
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