Commissioning day today.

A day of pride for everyone involved in the design and construction of this mighty ship, and all the equipment that will enable the air group to be both shield and sword for both Navy and Nation.

Named by our faithful and beloved Sovereign, these ships, constructed at yards all over the United Kingdom, are a symbol of our shared history as a seafaring nation, as well as our future.

Brazilian government authorises purchase of UK’s HMS Ocean

Brazil’s Ministry of Defence on 1 December authorised the navy to begin efforts to purchase the UK Royal Navy’s HMS Ocean landing platform helicopter (LPH).

The Brazilian Navy requested this authorisation in early 2017 after a decision to retire its NAe São Paulo aircraft carrier, and after the Royal Navy said the LPH could be available for sale once decommissioned in March 2018. Ocean would be inspected by Brazilian Navy officers before that, while authorisation from the US government is also being requested as the ship has some US-built components.

The Brazilian Navy’s plan is to finish the deal in 2018, overhaul the ship in 2019, and have it operational by 2020.

"to be both shield and sword for both Navy and Nation."

Jeez - have we sold it to the FSB/SVR already?????

oh, the irony...

Just seemed an odd quote to use.......... .surely

"The royal navy of England has ever been its greatest defence and ornament; it is its ancient and natural strength; the floating bulwark of the island." or

"Big Conceptions and Quick Decisions."

QE automatised weapons handling
 

https://ukdefencejournal.org.uk/auto...een-elizabeth/

I liked this statement

“The HMWHS is the first maritime application of shore-based commercial warehousing processes using automated systems with all-electric control, adapted for safe transport and stowage of munitions in a warship environment.
”

Congrats anyhow for those who’ve worked hard to get it to this day,

Cheers

So if the electrics were designed by the same team that did the T45’s they won’t have access to any weapons!

“Your ASRAAM will be delivered to your nominated F-35B tomorrow between the hours of 0800-2000. To ensure delivery please nominate an alternate address or safe place”....

I wonder how the auto delivery system works when QE is battering into a full-on Atlantic gale, whilst heeling over in a tight turn, with icing. Ah, but they will have tested this situation. Won't they? :sad:

Thus far, a white elephant. A deck with no air complement, thanks to Mr Cameron. Hopefully not needed within the next few years.

I wish the current crew well. I hope that they and their further seamates will adapt to their role safely. It will take much time, thanks again to Mr Cameron's lack of foresight. Had he retained a core of the Harrier fleet, the task would have been far more expeditious, and safe.

Bon voyage.

Thus far, she's been on contractor's trials. Commissioned today, FW trials start next year, IOC has long been planned for 2020 and FOC for 2023. She was never going to sail straight out of the builder's yard to the Gulf with a full airgroup on board.

As a matter of fact, they did. Around fifteen years ago, before the design was approved.


They stuck it on the rolling platform at QuinetiQ Boscombe Down and really went to town over a couple of periods of several days. The video footage is very impressive. As the system is all internal to the mags and WP areas , icing or spray won't be a factor.

Indeed, if icing and spray are a factor, you've got more immediate worries than loading bombs and missiles...

Thanks Boff and George :ok:

Hmm - automatic delivery system eh? Hope they have a manual back-up

My dear, late lamented Pa always said the most frightening things he ever saw was the so-called automatic reload systems on the Sea Dart and the Sea Slug - kept getting stuck in the doors apparently...................... and not softly

One reason for having a carrier is to carry lots of ASW helicopters for long range task group ASW, but clearly you are referring to fixed wing aircraft. The plan is to start embarking jets next year - and yes it will take time to regenerate the capability.

However, I think it worth noting that pre SDSR 10 the plan was to embark Harriers aboard the CVS as often as possible in order to ramp up skills. Even without retaining any Harriers ourselves, not having the STOVL/change to CTOL/back to STOVL debacle and associated political toxicity would have made it easier to deal with the skills issue.

I am thinking of the Whole Ship aspects, and in particular the things spoken of here.

Yes, no problem with that WE B.

Well done Cameron, and those that let it happen.

Yes - Cameron was certainly not good with details. Liam Fox also bears much of the blame for ignoring evidence and insisting he knew best. I do know (from people who worked for them) that the First Sea Lord and other Admirals fought as hard as they could to preserve the ability to keep putting jets on deck.

Also, both the RN and RAF expected a manpower uplift of roughly 1500 people in the run up to SDSR 15, which was supposed to come from a transfer of manning liability for the Army. Needless to say he panicked about cutting 'troop numbers' so it did not happen.

As part of SDSR 10, RN personnel numbers were cut without much thought to the future. One effect of that was to cause many people to spend more time deployed, which has obviously impacted retention.

There's a hole in my carrier, dear Liza, dear Liza.
There's a hole in my carrier, dear Liza, a hole!

HMS Queen Elizabeth: Leak found on new aircraft carrier - BBC News

I've got a sinking feeling...