US Budget Stuff
 

Nurse, Wader2 is right.

The budget in question is an Administration supplemental of USD 100bn for operations in Iraq, Afghanistan and the "war on terror". It isn't the defence budget and (like some of the UK's UORs) the Pentagon / Administration are trying it on by attempting to get this money through this route. There shouldn't be any significant effect on the JSF or Growler progammes.

S41

There is speculation that the main gate decision will be soon. I hope so!

PS Why can't I insert a link?

WEBF,

Maybe you have reached the limit of allowed links in this site!!!!

:p :ok: :D :p

Cheers

BHR

Does anyone know how far Quinitric is off a practical Electromagnetic Aircraft Launch System? That must be an advantage in a ship with electric propulsion. It should be better than buggering about with steam generators and all that leaky/heat losing plumbing.

Never heard of Quinitric. Do you mean Quintec?

General Atomics in the states are building a scale demonstrator for EMALS in support of the CVN21 programme. It will be at Lakehurst and is supposed to represent a shipboard installation and be operational in 2009 I think.

All sounds very good but you'd hope people get a grip of the EMI/EMC and energy storage issues before it goes to sea...

Or even QinetiQ!

Sometimes the humour is simply lost. Still bloody DERA as far as I'm concerned but there's no money to be made by individuals in that, is there.

If only you'd said the company that cannot (dare not) spell it's name....

Not doing anything with EM launch AFAIK..

.... I gather that in DERA days there was an internal memo circulated that the name had to be pronounced "Dare-er" rather then "Dearer"! ;)

.... can't imagine why.......

Perhaps Inertia would be a better term to associate with defence procurement?

The link I wanted to insert is here. The Times recently reported that the CVF deal had been sealed.

Changing tack, I note that Ocean is deploying to the carribean. Ark Royal has finished BOST and has returned to the Fleet, and Illustrious is working up with IV Sqn RAF.

Is Ocean's deployment an innovative use of an LPH or are we just short of frigates and destroyers?

A lot of activity aboard the carriers considering the shortage of shipborne aircraft post Sea Harrier (an issue which we predicted many moons ago on the Sea Jet thread). Some of us said there would be a shortfall in the number of carrier capable aircraft, and funnily enough, there is. :hmm: :ugh:

Are we going to see an announcement tomorrow of a RN/FN CVF? I would like join in the enthusiasm, but the silence is deafening from UK industry. Anyone have any thoughts or rumours?

I'd heard tomorrow as well for the announcement of the rebirth of British Shipbulders (WD). I have heard that the MG BC got through the DMB last week, which would make a nice juicy contract award to set the company off with.

Noting also that VT are throwing stuff through their sheds at the minute to clear room for the Omani boats and then (hopefully) QEII. T45 bow six is now in fabrication, so they're not mucking about. On teh otehr hand, I heard a nasty little rumour that one of Darings electric motors had a serious mishap during set-to-work last week. The sort of serious mishap that might lead to a replacement...........not good for T45 programme or CVF.

In theory CVF is still meant to enter service in 2012 and 2015. :hmm:

See this article from The Gaurdian

Orders for £3bn warships signal a new era for naval defence industry

Your link was missing a bit, WEBF - click

News From Bbc Scotland Pages
 

See link for latest/speculation on BBC Scotland news pages.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/scotland/...st/6508869.stm

They'd better get a shift on. The local elections have been bandied around as a potential delay risk for a couple of months now. Looks like they're going to miss the deadline.....

The 25th anniversary of the invasion of the Falklands seems like a good reason to bump this thread, since the planned disposal of Hermes and Invincible was a major factor in the Argentines thinking that we wouldn't fight, as was the planned destruction of our amphibious capabilities.

How many lessons have been learnt? How many unlearnt? The need for organic AEW? Yes. The need for organic air defence? Judging by the premature loss of the Sea Harrier, no. The need to be able to quickly regenerate equipment (ships, aircraft etc) in mothballs or in second line or training use? The need to switch equipment and people from one role to another? The need to innovate fast? The ability to deal with large numbers of casualties and safely evacuate them to the UK? Don't know.

The need to prepare for the unforseen?

Hmmm.

Main Gate?
 

Well,

It's nearly Easter, all that hostage stuff has died down, where is main gate?

Any ideas...........anyone?...................anyone?........... ...........anyone?:uhoh: :uhoh: :bored:

Agreed. Time for announcement from all 3 main IPTs (CVF, MASC, JCA).

I heard today that the "Big Announcement" (BS-warship Div and CVF) has now been put back until after the local elections, for fear of being accused of gerrymandering. Of course the leaks to the press in the last couple of weeks wouldn't have any similar impact, would they????