Queen Elizabeth Aircraft Carrier sets sail tonight
- Thread starter Big Spender
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The frigate HMS Sutherland has joined the aircraft carrier as its first escort during its sea trials
We already did, that's why we're launching a flash looking el-cheapo 1960's style STOVL carrier instead of a proper CATOBAR carrier (or even STOBAR)
You just described a heavy aviation cruiser, the ships (or ship these days) Russia uses instead of aircraft carriers (and gets mocked over).
They not compatible, their planes can't land on our carrier because it has no wires to catch them (our planes land vertically) and even if they could AFAIK they can't take off from a ski ramp anyway (could be wrong there).
Our planes could theoretically land on their carriers vertically and also take off vertically, but that will probably only ever happen in an emergency where said plane cannot make it to our carrier or land (as it would be an organisational nightmare).
I think even the non-VTOL F-35 is very short take off and landing. There was a demo of one taking off on a "bombed" runway, so they should be fine. Also the USMC still uses Harriers. Probably can't land their Hornets on it though 
You need a dedicated power plant to run a catapult I think as they use a LOT of energy, which is why most don't use one.
Totally separate defense pact
You need a dedicated power plant to run a catapult I think as they use a LOT of energy, which is why most don't use one.
I guess that makes people like scorza that like the idea of EU army very happy that
Totally separate defense pact
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I think even the non-VTOL F-35 is very short take off and landing. There was a demo of one taking off on a "bombed" runway, so they should be fine. Also the USMC still uses Harriers. Probably can't land their Hornets on it though
You need a dedicated power plant to run a catapult I think as they use a LOT of energy, which is why most don't use one.
Totally separate defense pact
Which is why the next generation of aircraft carriers will be using maglev instead of steam cats and more than likely be launching drones rather than manned aircraft.
Tbh with Drones, you don't even need a flight deck, that's a massive weak point on carriers. You could have a vertical/horizontal launching system much like missiles are done on cruisers, and otherwise have the ship with a totally armoured shell. As well you can have a lot more depending on the drone.
Very true, I personally can't see how these ships won't be massively outdated long before the expected service life is up.
READ THE THREAD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Due to be handed over to the Royal Navy in 2019 ready for active service unless anything changes
By the time we have them fully operational from the carriers we will have to start thinking about making plans to replace them LOL its a bit ridiculous.
Not much point in putting planes on it anyway. The carrier is running Windows XP so will probably get ransomwared soon as it leaves port for any active service.
https://www.theguardian.com/technol...-elizabeth-royal-navy-vulnerable-cyber-attack
Make em amphibious and retrieve from the sea on landing.
I think even the non-VTOL F-35 is very short take off and landing. There was a demo of one taking off on a "bombed" runway, so they should be fine. Also the USMC still uses Harriers. Probably can't land their Hornets on it though
The French won't be able to land a Rafale on it either, you're right though the US Navy F-35's will be able to land and partially refuel on or carrier (but not their air force F-35s) just not rearm or fully fuel (as no catapults)
Most modern carrier designs do, the French/American ones use catapults as do the latest Russian/Chinese designs.
The comical thing is our government cut costs on the carrier (again) but ended up having to buy a slightly more expensive and less capable planes (again), let's just hope it doesn't result in numerous avoidable deaths/losses (again).
Don't worry Microsoft released a patch for it
cheers I'm reading that HMS prince of wales may be mothballed or sold what a farce
but we don't have the escorts ships in large enough numbers these days to protect them.Hey don't underestimate the lifespan of a carrier.
The HMS Hermes was a WW2 era Centaur class carrier laid down in 1944, redesigned to CATOBAR in the 50's, finally completed/launched in 1959, converted to STOVL in the 70's (lets hope this cost saving measure has no ill effects), served in the Falklands war in the early 80's (oh ****), sold to India in the late 80's, upgraded in the 90's, and finally decommissioned from service in March of 2017 as converting back to CATOBAR was deemed too expensive.
So if the Queen Elizabeth lasts 73 years too that would be great (as would an upgrade to CATOBAR, as it should have been in the first place).