But surely you would never need or want operate a carrier in real brown water? In any case, Merlin is intended to be part of the air group.
The order last month for steel and other goodies (
mentioned here on the RN website) is worthy of note. Another step in the right direction.
As is this
PPRuNe thread which recycles old arguments.
CVF is also mentioned in this
PDF document from DE&S. This preview also mentions the docking and refit of HMS
Ocean, a "sort of" carrier.
Now, we're ordering some aircraft lifts. See
this from the RN website.
A contract for the manufacture of aircraft lifts for the Royal Navy’s two new 65,000 tonne carriers was announced today by Defence Minister Baroness Ann Taylor.
The £13M contract, awarded to MacTaggart Scott of Loanhead, Scotland, means MoD orders for equipment, materials and infrastructure for the two ships, HMS Queen Elizabeth and HMS Prince of Wales, now total more than £160M.
Baroness Taylor, Minister for Defence Equipment and Support, said: “The aircraft lifts order announced today and the other equipment and steel already contracted are a clear demonstration of the steady progress towards commencing building work at the shipyards. Construction of the carriers will provide jobs for thousands of people across the UK, which is only fitting given that these ships will be a key element of our nation’s defences.”
MoD Defence Equipment and Support carrier project team leader Rear Admiral Bob Love said: “Each of the carriers will have two huge lifts, which can lift 70 tonnes each - or two Joint Strike Fighters - from hangar to flight deck in 60 seconds. They are so powerful that together they could lift the weight of the entire ship’s crew (1,450 people). We are working closely with industry participants as we move towards building these ships.”
The lifts and their associated motors and hydraulic machinery have been designed using established technologies to provide excellent reliability throughout the expected operating life of the carriers, up to 50 years.
The ability to lift 70 tonnes suggests that future proofing is being taken seriously. I wonder what potential there is for exporting CVF related equipment to other shipborne F35B users, such as the US amphibious ships, or Italy and Spain, perhaps Australia and/or Japan (both potentially getting back in the carrier business).