The Royal Navy Discussions and Updates

Systems Adict

The Bunker Group
Verified Defense Pro
Gah! You guys are merciless! I say one little thing about it being torpedos, swiftly retract that and replace it with decoys ( + link) and I STILL get 2 replies telling me how I was wrong ;)
Rob, we lurve you...REALLY !:argue

That's why we help, you by answering your questions...

LoL:smash


SA :D
 

RobWilliams

Super Moderator
Staff member
Thanks guys! ;)

I had a chat with the head of international exports for AugustaWestland today (University careers event) and I asked him about apparently the Wildcat can carry CRV-7 rockets + 20mm cannon according to their brochure, his reply wasn't surprising.

Basically it was "Well, currently there's no plan at all for ever mounting those weapons, they're basically a small option to showcase what we could put on it if we want" so don't expect any of those toys (mainly rockets I thought) on any Wildcats :(
 

kev 99

Member
Thanks guys! ;)

I had a chat with the head of international exports for AugustaWestland today (University careers event) and I asked him about apparently the Wildcat can carry CRV-7 rockets + 20mm cannon according to their brochure, his reply wasn't surprising.

Basically it was "Well, currently there's no plan at all for ever mounting those weapons, they're basically a small option to showcase what we could put on it if we want" so don't expect any of those toys (mainly rockets I thought) on any Wildcats :(
The RN varient doesn't really need CRV-7s its getting LMM instead.
 

StobieWan

Super Moderator
Staff member
The RN varient doesn't really need CRV-7s its getting LMM instead.
We're using CRV-7 on Apache though - and I'd take HESIAP or whatever the "pink mist/instagib" variant is called any day of the week against a fast attack craft.
 

RobWilliams

Super Moderator
Staff member
Looking at it's use in Afghanistan it appears to be an extremely effective area suppression weapon, especially in wooded areas (with flechette rockets).

But it's a different weapon, LMM requires a lock whereas CRV-7 requires the helo to manouver into a firing position.

Either way, I thought that it'd be quite handy for the Wildcat to carry a couple of those pods.
 

RobWilliams

Super Moderator
Staff member
Hammond announces another £350million of funding into designing the Vanguard successor submarine. The link shows HMS Vigiland firing a dummy Trident missile (not digging the upholstery they're rocking though)

This investment will sustain 1,200 UK jobs and makes clear the Government’s firm commitment to maintaining continuous at sea deterrence for future decades.

The funding follows the initial £350M of design work announced earlier this year.

This announcement comes as Philip Hammond visited the home of the UK’s nuclear deterrent at Faslane on the Clyde and follows the successful firing of an unarmed Trident ballistic missile by HMS Vigilant during a test launch in the Atlantic Ocean last week.

HMS Vigilant is one of four Vanguard Class submarines which maintain the UK’s nuclear deterrent and this firing, the first in three years, confirms the credibility of the deterrent.

The Vanguard submarines will be replaced from 2028 by the Successor which is currently being designed by British companies.

As a result of today’s announcement, BAE Systems will proceed with an additional £315M worth of work, with a further £38M at Babcock.
Defence Secretary Announces Further £350M For Successor Submarines| Royal Navy

Pretty ticked off the LibDems.
 

StobieWan

Super Moderator
Staff member
Pretty ticked off the LibDems.
Good :)


I think Hammond explained it well enough, we've already suffered the weakening of design capability for nuclear submarines in this country with a long gap before the order for Astute. Putting some money on the table right now keeps that capability alive.
 

StobieWan

Super Moderator
Staff member
Do the RN and,European navies have a capability similar to the USN's Cooperative Engagement Capability?
The RN doesn't have CEC, although it has trialled the system - a decision to fit the kit to the T45's has been kicked out to 2015. The quicker the better as far as I'm concerned.
 

RobWilliams

Super Moderator
Staff member
Good :)


I think Hammond explained it well enough, we've already suffered the weakening of design capability for nuclear submarines in this country with a long gap before the order for Astute. Putting some money on the table right now keeps that capability alive.
Definitely, constructing these subs will near enough last up to the point where contracts for Astute replacements will be being placed for the first few boats. If 2028 remains the due date for the first new boomer to be commissioned + ~2 year gap per following boat makes it to around 2034 and then considering the order for the first 3 Astutes was placed with GEC-Marconi about a decade before the first boat was launched, that'll be plenty of time.

Have to say, don't see British shipyards running out of work soon, even Barrow because it was ~6 years from being first laid down to being launched for the first Astute so if a boomer was +1 year (roughly) then work on those will be started before the last Astute is handed over to the RN.

Seems like the order books for UK shipyards seems fairly constant for the next few decades, IMO.
 

colay

New Member
The RN doesn't have CEC, although it has trialled the system - a decision to fit the kit to the T45's has been kicked out to 2015. The quicker the better as far as I'm concerned.
I read that the Type 26 won't incorporate CEC. Have they cut out more than fat in trying to get the costs down?
 

RobWilliams

Super Moderator
Staff member
I read that the Type 26 won't incorporate CEC. Have they cut out more than fat in trying to get the costs down?
Its not in the core equipment budget but it hasn't been ruled out completely, the MOD has £8bn (I think) wiggle room over the next decade to order extra kit
 

colay

New Member
Its not in the core equipment budget but it hasn't been ruled out completely, the MOD has £8bn (I think) wiggle room over the next decade to order extra kit
IMO well worth the money when funds are available down the road. No platform fights alone after all.
 

StobieWan

Super Moderator
Staff member
I read that the Type 26 won't incorporate CEC. Have they cut out more than fat in trying to get the costs down?
Type 23 definitely isn't getting CEC - Type 26 may (perhaps) get it. I think it's mandatory, far too useful to miss out on.
 
This may be a stupid question but how close will I as a civilian be able to get to the carriers during or after construction as I'd love to just have a look up close so I can get a real sense of just how vast it is?
I'm not expecting a guided tour of the bridge and hanger deck but being able to view it from close up would be a real treat.
 

RobWilliams

Super Moderator
Staff member
Very slim I imagine.

The only pictures i've seen from regular people (i.e don't have access to the yard) of the CVF have been from extremely long lense cameras several miles away.

When she's launched or floated out or whatever, I expect there'll be a lot of pomp and ceremony (it's what we do) and I expect the public will be able to see it.
 

rnrp

New Member
Well, if you happen to be in the KY11 postcode then you can just hop on the bus from Dunfermline to Rosyth dockyard. The bus travels right through the old weapons shed areas etc as its now a business park. Alternatively:flame:rolling go to the Dockyard west entrance gate and there are stunning views of No 1 dock.
BIll
QUOTE=RobWilliams;254441]Very slim I imagine.

The only pictures i've seen from regular people (i.e don't have access to the yard) of the CVF have been from extremely long lense cameras several miles away.

When she's launched or floated out or whatever, I expect there'll be a lot of pomp and ceremony (it's what we do) and I expect the public will be able to see it.[/QUOTE]
 
That's a shame as I have a feeling photo's don't do it justice (I also kept an eye on the Olympics construction but being there was just so much better) and being in Bedfordshire I'm not exactly in a position to pop down to see it with ease so I'd need some assurance of good views.
It would just be a treat to see something so massive but I do understand the security implications of just letting people get close. Are there any plans at all for any sort of viewing platforms like they have for the Olympic Park as that could sort out the security issues at least and I'm sure there are plenty of people who would be interested.
 
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