Can we not just rebuild a few Sea Harriers? We could lob a couple of Android tablets in the front to update them. They seem to work well…

The F35B is very expensive, can’t carry much and isn’t a dog fighter.

The UK has the typhoon to do that.

F35 was never designed for that roll.

So what’s the F35 supposed to do when the carriers miles from land beyond the Typhoons umbrella of protection. Piss poor aircraft, woefully under armed, short on range, single engined, still not working properly yet(latest grounding is for the oxygen system causing hypoxia). Stupid maintenance software that the Israelis insisted was removed from their versions. Oh and we have to depend on Turkey for the heavy maintenance.

It, and the carriers will be toast if they come up against anybody with half an idea.

We would’ve been better off with F-18XT’s with conformal tanks and maybe even F-14 SuperTomcats for proper CAP capability. IMO stealth will be pretty much knocked for 6 with the next gen of radar. AWACS can already see F-22’s when vectoring fighters in to stop them during exercises, even when the defending F-18’s and 16’s cannot see them with their radar.

Well I might be unpopular… But I worked on the programme some years back, and I’m proud I’ve got a link to it.

In fact, you can see one of equipment in almost every photo, so I’m looking forward to seeing some better footage tomorrow onwards

I want to see F35 in proper dog fight action … 😛

I want to see them dog fight with proper MIGs.

Oh and for dealing with the “rag head with an AK brigade” why waste expensive fast jet time when an A-10 or modern version of a Sky-raider, both with huge loiter time and anti ground weapon armour would be much better for the job and cheaper in the long run.

Blimey chewkw it’s not a game.

Torpedoes with a range of 50+ miles…
Missiles with range of hundreds….

The only reason a carrier hasn’t been sunk in the modern era is nobodies bloody tried.

They are an expensive folly which are only any good against a technologically inferior foe.

More to the point, HMS QE has been built & kitted out so badly they’d do a better job on Blue Peter with some empty washing up bottles & sticky backed plastic.

Reality setting in yet?

I want to see them dog fight with proper MIGs.

Said the 12yr old whose forgotten his Ritalin…

how does an aircraft carrier stop a suicide bomber in London?

mrlebowski – Member
Blimey chewkw it’s not a game.

Torpedoes with a range of 50+ miles…
Missiles with range of hundreds….

Like I say they need to get closer first …

Unless they do a Perl Harbour type attack (not knowing your enemy(s)) I think they really need to get closer first.

I bet the full time job for all the subs are tracking each others … 😛

The only reason a carrier hasn’t been sunk in the modern era is nobodies bloody tried.

The question you need to ask is why don’t they try? It’s a huge sitting target is it not? 😛

They are an expensive folly which are only any good against a technologically inferior foe.

Why not? If you enemy is constantly trying to destroy you why not?

Reality setting in yet?

Reality is … “mine (aircraft carrier) is bigger than yours and more than yours”. 😛

Is this what it’s like being a right winger on STW; finding yourself (kind of) on the same side of a discussion as Chewy. I pity the poor sods, no one deserves this.

convert – Member
Is this what it’s like being a right winger on STW; finding yourself (kind of) on the same side of a discussion as Chewy. I pity the poor sods.

How do you negotiate with superpowers? … if they say you should follow their terms …

a us carrier group consists of

1 Super Carrier
1 carrier air wing (9 squadrons)
2 Aegis guided missile cruisers
1 Destroyer squadron (2-4 ships)
2 Attack Subs

we’ll have 2 carriers escorted by a couple of frigates

On a more positive note, took shorty for a walk down to the beach at Abercorn to see the wee boat. Picked up sticks, found a rope swing, chatted about life from a 9 year olds perspective and got chips on the way home.

Very good, start the brainwashing while they are still young.

Back in the real world people are dying, because grown men like to play power games with their big toys.

a us carrier group consists of

1 Super Carrier
1 carrier air wing (9 squadrons)
2 Aegis guided missile cruisers
1 Destroyer squadron (2-4 ships)
2 Attack Subs

Wasn’t previous thinking that all that lot was a self contained group where aircraft protected the shipping and most of the shipping protected the carrier? Under the right attack conditions the group was only able to look after itself and could not project beyond that.

We’re going to need something for the coming cod wars.

Or the war against Europe in the coming years.

Possibly digressing but politics recently has reminded me of my old head teacher, (we are back in the 70’s here) his favourite saying was “a convoy can only travel at the speed of its slowest ship”.

Something to consider for those knocking one out over a big boat whilst others are looking for bed.

I can’t take anyone seriously who suggests buying F-14’s no matter how upgraded they are.

I’d say as a naval nation having an aircraft carrier is worth it. And it gives a lot of capabilities around the world and is not just about flying fast jets.

fergal – Member
Very good, start the brainwashing while they are still young.

Is it the witchcraft that allows it to float that you find most upsetting?

dragon – Member
I can’t take anyone seriously who suggests buying F-14’s no matter how upgraded they are.

**** you man! Top Gun was amazing!!!1!

So do we have any planes for it?

So do we have any planes for it?

Are we allowed to include helicopters? And cardboard cutouts?

Where’s that STWer with the obsessive relative with a million airfix models in the loft when the nation needs them?

And it gives a lot of capabilities around the world and is not just about flying fast jets.

“capabilities” ..is that code for something else?

Code for killing brown people.

PS. legend don’t shoot the messenger.

a us carrier group consists of

1 Super Carrier
1 carrier air wing (9 squadrons)
2 Aegis guided missile cruisers
1 Destroyer squadron (2-4 ships)
2 Attack Subs

we’ll have 2 carriers escorted by a couple of frigates

I think the plan for our carrier strike group is something along the lines of –

1 x Carrier (inc aircraft)
2 x T45 AAW Destroyers
2 x T26 ASW Frigates
1 x Astute Submarine (SSN)

RN Carrier group ready for WARRRRRRR!!!!!!!

Back in the real world people are dying, because grown men like to play power games with their big toys.

Of course – there’s the answer!! because before we invented ‘big toys’ grown men never killed anyone.

chewkw – Member
How do you negotiate with superpowers? … if they say you should follow their terms …

I doubt the first negotiating tactic is point to a new aircraft carrier and say tread carefully Donald! 😆

how does an aircraft carrier stop a suicide bomber in London?

I don’t know, how? Ask the Yanks why the Nimitz didn’t stop that crazy shooting up the Florida nightclub.

What we should do is have an old rust bucket carrier(just for show) but then extend or “capabilities’ around the world by manipulating the media and population of other countries.

Is it a plan?

Is it a plan?

??? ???????? ??? ?????????

Took a ride over to the south of Fife to see if i could spot the carrier this evening.
Bit dissapointing there was nothing to see – guess it hadn’t cleared the bridges yet.
And it was utterly freezing into the bargain. Would never have thought a gabba style top would be insufficient at this time of year, but turns out i should have had leg warmers and a full softshell on 😐

What time will it hit the bridge?
Is it worth staying up for?

Low tide is at 23:30

hope they have done their sums right – anyone remember the oil rig/Erskine bridge incident?

Yep – I was riding Land’s End to John O’Groats and nearly had to cycle through the Clyde Tunnel as the bridge was shut. Luckily I managed to use the Renfrew ferry instead.

She went under the bridges at about 23:50. Wasn’t a lot of space to play with under the rail bridge particularly. I would put some photos up but mine were all rubbish. Still a great sight though.

Massive death machine on its way

https://mobile.twitter.com/HMSPWLS/status/879472364249075712/photo/1

Our carriers, are basically big helicopter carriers and can’t field mini-AWACS aircraft, so will have to make do with altitude limited Merlin choppers with a bolt on radar. We can’t launch Hawkeye type aircraft which severely limits the range that our ships can detect incoming missiles or hostile aircraft.

The F35B is very expensive, can’t carry much and isn’t a dog fighter. We should have bought off the shelf catapults, traps, Hawkeyes and Rafales/F-18Es.

They’re a typical British lash-up, an expensive one at that.
Cant really find an argument against that.

Oh and for dealing with the “rag head with an AK brigade” why waste expensive fast jet time when an A-10 or modern version of a Sky-raider, both with huge loiter time and anti ground weapon armour would be much better for the job and cheaper in the long run.

I’ve had that conversation in the pub loads of times, despite the big boys in the US military trying to kill off the A-10, it keeps on, because, like the Harrier, it fills a very necessary rôle, but it isn’t fast and shiny and good for showing-off with.
They’ve clearly never watched the crowd being wowed by a Harrier viffing, or a rolling short take-off into a fast vertical climb.
Trouble with the A-10 is they’re running out of replacement wings, and are having to ground half the fleet.