MoD to buy 5 x P8 from USA - maybe
I always thought this was another case of a broken promise (or lie if you like). The ships were supposed to be fitted for (but not with) the systems for conventional carrier ops. When it came down to it , things were either too difficult or too expensive.
Now who would pitch Catapults and Arresting gear on a Carrier and think VTOL only capability was wise?
I am just a stupid Helicopter Pilot so I am sure the wisdom of that escapes me.
Can anyone explain that decsision in very simple terms that a stupid helicopter pilot could who speaks American can understand?
I know my Navy has two kinds of "Carriers".....Fleet Carriers that have four Cats and Arresting gear......and Amphibious Support Carriers that have no Cats or Traps and carry Helicopters, VTOL aircraft.
Different missions....different capabilities.
So in our view....your "Carriers" are really just what we would consider "Helicopter Carriers" but without the Well Deck, and other Amphib support gear.
Which in my view makes your Carrier not fit for either mission set.
I am just a stupid Helicopter Pilot so I am sure the wisdom of that escapes me.
Can anyone explain that decsision in very simple terms that a stupid helicopter pilot could who speaks American can understand?
I know my Navy has two kinds of "Carriers".....Fleet Carriers that have four Cats and Arresting gear......and Amphibious Support Carriers that have no Cats or Traps and carry Helicopters, VTOL aircraft.
Different missions....different capabilities.
So in our view....your "Carriers" are really just what we would consider "Helicopter Carriers" but without the Well Deck, and other Amphib support gear.
Which in my view makes your Carrier not fit for either mission set.
SasLess...
What makes the UK ships "carriers" is that they are designed to carry aircraft, not warehouse soldiers, their weapons and vehicles, and (except for two mistake-ships, LHA-6/7) landing craft. This means that they can support AEW as well as a sufficient number of combat aircraft to provide more than occasional CAS.
How they get on and off is secondary.
What makes the UK ships "carriers" is that they are designed to carry aircraft, not warehouse soldiers, their weapons and vehicles, and (except for two mistake-ships, LHA-6/7) landing craft. This means that they can support AEW as well as a sufficient number of combat aircraft to provide more than occasional CAS.
How they get on and off is secondary.
Actually how they get on and off is primary.....if they are not VTOL aircraft they will have to be craned on and off like Cargo Boxes.
Right now you have a Carrier design that requires a single kind of airplane....if that F-35 variant proves to be a failure....then your carrier design is a failure....or will you bring back Harriers?
Right now you have a Carrier design that requires a single kind of airplane....if that F-35 variant proves to be a failure....then your carrier design is a failure....or will you bring back Harriers?
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No. We'll just spend the money to fit cats and traps. It's not that the design can't fit them it's that their plug and play elements were removed, making it very expensive to convert them.
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Yep, thanks to that utter clusterf*ck, Gordon Brown! Who also cynically signed the world's most water-tight contract for both the carriers right before the general election, despite knowing that the MoD didn't have the money for both of them. Cnut!!
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if the contract hadn't been water tight both ships would have been cancelled the moment Osbourne walked into No. 11
When walking yesterday 9 Jan, I saw an aircraft, looked like it was departing Brize, that looked like a 737 but with some rather obvious underwing mounting points ? Could anyone confirm this was one of these P8 jobbies ? I'd be chuffed to know I've seen one.
Smudge
Smudge
LowObservable I've looked it up on t'tweb and can see that the beauty I saw flying was one of those P8a jobbies. Thanks for your input, I'm sure its a nice motor car if its your thing.
Smudge
I've looked it up on t'tweb and can see that the beauty I saw flying was one of those P8a jobbies. Thanks for your input, I'm sure its a nice motor car if its your thing.Smudge
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P-8 Purchase
MoD is buying eight P-8s for the RAF ASW mission. First ones might be initially leased.
Welcome to the Poseidon club: USN, Indian AF, RAAF, probably Italian AF.
Welcome to the Poseidon club: USN, Indian AF, RAAF, probably Italian AF.
MoD is buying eight P-8s for the RAF ASW mission
Regards, Den.
MoD is buying eight P-8s for the RAF ASW mission. First ones might be initially leased.
If not, then has anyone told the UK Ministry of Defence about this order?
Had to make sure the date wasn't 1st April for a minute!
@ Lowobservable
Looks like a Staish's personal mount so will the Poseidons also double up as 32s mount or as station flight now long gone
Apparently the USN have been invited and accepted Waddos show invite so wonder if a Poseidon will make appearance in first weekend in July lol or is that wishful thinking lol
Cheers
Looks like a Staish's personal mount so will the Poseidons also double up as 32s mount or as station flight now long gone
Apparently the USN have been invited and accepted Waddos show invite so wonder if a Poseidon will make appearance in first weekend in July lol or is that wishful thinking lol
Cheers
But you're right, it will be Waddington....:-)
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MoD is buying eight P-8s for the RAF ASW mission. First ones might be initially leased.
Oh go on then, I'll nibble on the hook - pray tell where this latest rumour has its grounding! 
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When they say the MOD is buying 5 x P8 to take on Russian ICBM submarines. Knowing the MOD, they'll be buying these P8's... Heckler & Koch :: Product Overview | P8