Those are interesting links regarding the Artist program by the way - all new stuff to me, didn't realise the US and the UK had paired up in that way.
The Royal Navy Discussions and Updates
- Thread starter overlander
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I don't really have a 'bond' with the ship myself, when i started getting interested in this type of thing she was already old. For me I'm not particularly fussed about what happens to her when she leaves the RN.
If I had my choice maybe try eek a few more years of service out of her until HMS Queen Elizabeth gets further down her trials period, but I don't know how the cost projections for maintenance/spares etc currently are nor how they may change in the future.
HMS Illustrious leaves service now, HMS Ocean takes over as our 1 remaining flat top. HMS Queen Elizabeth 'enters service' in 2016 with helicopter flight trials, F-35B trials in 2018 & FOC in 2020.
Lusty is the last surviving of a very important class of carriers I guess but I'd sooner have preserved Vinny or Ark (for the name)
There's no money to properly put her into a useful museum condition so I'm sure she'll be razor blades or a reef at some point.
There's no money to properly put her into a useful museum condition so I'm sure she'll be razor blades or a reef at some point.
Isn't there some rule around which means that if a ship is preserved, the name cannot be used again? As an example, we wouldn't see another HMS Belfast.
I'll be honest, i'd be interested in the potential of having Astute or Ambush torpedo her or just do a similar thing which what the Americans did with CV-66.
I'll be honest, i'd be interested in the potential of having Astute or Ambush torpedo her or just do a similar thing which what the Americans did with CV-66.
Hadn't thought of that - technically, if it's been struck off the register, the RN could re-use the name I think but it'd be a bit odd.
Don't see the Ark coming back into use for forty years unless they do the name flip on the carriers (which I'm not keen on, as far as I'm concerned, PoW and QE work fine)
Wonder if we could flog Lusty to the Chinese, they seem to buy anything second hand with a flat top
Don't see the Ark coming back into use for forty years unless they do the name flip on the carriers (which I'm not keen on, as far as I'm concerned, PoW and QE work fine)
Wonder if we could flog Lusty to the Chinese, they seem to buy anything second hand with a flat top
Innit a PESA?
Some of the current crop of naval radars are AESA, but they all seem to be phased arrays these days.
Amphibious lift capability gap coming for the CHF
U.K. To Spend £454M On Merlin Modernization Program
So we're getting 25 converted RAF Mk3/3a to HC4 standard with the first trials to be conducted in Sept 2017 and IOC with sevel aircraft in early 2018.
Bear in mind our current naval helo (the Sea King) leaves service in 2016, so "several" Sea Kings will be available in the interim with a folding main rotor system. But they won't be fully navalised.
Still no word on Crowsnest updates, the RN are trying to get IOC in 2016 and FOC in 2018 (i think) instead of the current timeframe of IOC in 2018 and FOC in 2020. No word either on the chosen system.
U.K. To Spend £454M On Merlin Modernization Program
So we're getting 25 converted RAF Mk3/3a to HC4 standard with the first trials to be conducted in Sept 2017 and IOC with sevel aircraft in early 2018.
Bear in mind our current naval helo (the Sea King) leaves service in 2016, so "several" Sea Kings will be available in the interim with a folding main rotor system. But they won't be fully navalised.
Still no word on Crowsnest updates, the RN are trying to get IOC in 2016 and FOC in 2018 (i think) instead of the current timeframe of IOC in 2018 and FOC in 2020. No word either on the chosen system.
Crowsnest AEW program moved up by 18 months, official announcement by the MOD, with the system to be operational by 2019. The old plan was 2018 IOC and 2020 FOC so presumably the new schedule is ~2017 IOC. The selection process is due to be complete by 2016.
https://www.gov.uk/government/news/new-surveillance-system-for-royal-navy-aircraft-carriers
Great news, compromise from the original aim from the RN to make it 24 months earlier but still 18 is a great improvement. Only decision left to make being which system.
https://www.gov.uk/government/news/new-surveillance-system-for-royal-navy-aircraft-carriers
Great news, compromise from the original aim from the RN to make it 24 months earlier but still 18 is a great improvement. Only decision left to make being which system.
Lockheed Martin have the contract...
Out of pure self interest I would love to see their APG-81 based solution chosen. You guys pay for the development work and any nation that wants a bolt-on AEW&C solution for their maritime helos, can leverage off your work...
I think RAN would be rather keen on that sort of capability, particular once SM-6 is nearing service...
Presumably their solution would be capable of supplying targetting quality data through datalinks to ships?
Kinda makes heavy ship launched AShM more useful, given it eliminates the problem of the ship itself having to track a contact
Kinda makes heavy ship launched AShM more useful, given it eliminates the problem of the ship itself having to track a contact
Data links will likely do a fine job but CEC would take that to an "11" - either way, it's good news that it's been brought forward. Is this going to be a palletised Cerberus I wonder?
It's nice they're taking note of the fact that bringing it forward saves money in R&D - maybe we're past the era of "kick it into the long grass and pray we're not there when it's found again" ?
It's nice they're taking note of the fact that bringing it forward saves money in R&D - maybe we're past the era of "kick it into the long grass and pray we're not there when it's found again" ?
Just figured it was interesting because there was an element of "when was the last time a ship fired on another ship anyway?" A Merlin operating at 15,000ft gives a radar horizon of ~280km, so depending on the radar and then tacked on to however far the helicopter operates from the ship and that gives a pretty good outer ring in the CBG.
I'm still quite confident about Vigilance, LockMart UK have been paid to run the competition for Crowsnest (including their own product) AND they are also the principle contractors for upgrading the avionics in the Merlin from HM1 to HM2 standard so presumably are more knowledgeable in the integration solutions possible for the aircraft.
It depends on how long they intend to use these things for, as Vigilance is the more costly option BUT it offers a more flexible system. Once Merlin reaches the end of it's life, I doubt we'll be packing away the radars too and i'd imagine any future solution would be easier to have external mounts for the pods rather than depending on some rear ramp solution or modifications to the cab to allow for a sliding bag arrangement.
I'm still quite confident about Vigilance, LockMart UK have been paid to run the competition for Crowsnest (including their own product) AND they are also the principle contractors for upgrading the avionics in the Merlin from HM1 to HM2 standard so presumably are more knowledgeable in the integration solutions possible for the aircraft.
It depends on how long they intend to use these things for, as Vigilance is the more costly option BUT it offers a more flexible system. Once Merlin reaches the end of it's life, I doubt we'll be packing away the radars too and i'd imagine any future solution would be easier to have external mounts for the pods rather than depending on some rear ramp solution or modifications to the cab to allow for a sliding bag arrangement.
That's a high alt for a chopper, what's a Merlin's ceiling?q
Wiki says 15k feet service ceiling. If that is in the public domain it is probably a bit higher than that secretly. And it isn't as if the APG-81 is a radar under development, it has been around for a while and has been built in numbers. If it can be installed with a number of fighters, I see no difficulty installing it on helicopters with much more room.
Absolutely - if they went with a palletised APG-81, I'd be best pleased because it'd give us some legs - no need to redo the entire thing in ten years or so, and we *know* the radar is a good 'un with very advanced air to air and A/G modes - and will receive constant upgrades and updates over the years.
Either way, it's great (and I mean *really* good news) that Crows Nest is coming forward to match the carriers - it's one less item to "get sorted out".
Either way, it's great (and I mean *really* good news) that Crows Nest is coming forward to match the carriers - it's one less item to "get sorted out".
I prefer either a dive wreck or scrap. While it is nice to have a museum ship or two, having many ships rusting away by the pier is not a honorable end.
Furthermore at a later date Vigilant could be transferred to other aircraft, including the higher flying Osprey. Therefore it is the best option which is future proof.