The Royal Navy Discussions and Updates

StobieWan

Super Moderator
Staff member
I could never work out why they withdrew RFA Fort George in 2011 & later scrapped her instead of the one of the older Fort Rosalie class. Cheers

I believe her maintenance costs were very high - can't remember the details but it was like burning bundles of fivers to keep warm.

I may well be wrong :)
 

Takao

The Bunker Group
Mm...they're a bit random - no single theme or class letter (and I know from the article that that's intentional)

I'd sooner have a class theme but that's me, bit staid on the names :)
And they are better choices than the RAN's Hunter class too.

Hunter sure, but Flinders never served in a fighting command and Tasman never joined the Navy. Plus these two are heralded as explorers, not naval commanders. They have significant recognition elsewhere (Tasman got a sea!) and yet the RAN's history of warfighting names has been ignored... :mad:
 

Redlands18

Well-Known Member
And they are better choices than the RAN's Hunter class too.

Hunter sure, but Flinders never served in a fighting command and Tasman never joined the Navy. Plus these two are heralded as explorers, not naval commanders. They have significant recognition elsewhere (Tasman got a sea!) and yet the RAN's history of warfighting names has been ignored... :mad:
The next 3 names will be interesting, it will be different people making the recommendation and a different GG signing off on it, will they stick with the theme especially with Melbourne, Darwin and Newcastle all available.
I also don’t like the similarities with the Arafura Class names.
Actually i think Flinders and Tasman would have made good names for the MCM/Hydrographic replacements.
 

Takao

The Bunker Group
The next 3 names will be interesting, it will be different people making the recommendation and a different GG signing off on it, will they stick with the theme especially with Melbourne, Darwin and Newcastle all available.
I also don’t like the similarities with the Arafura Class names.
Actually i think Flinders and Tasman would have made good names for the MCM/Hydrographic replacements.
Perfect names for the new MCMs - especially with their fleet expanding.

I was hoping for the Scrap Iron Flotilla to come back; but I think there are enough V, W and Q names to see us through.

Anyhow - back to the RN. No theme, but all good ones. Although I would have sided with Glowworm over Campbeltown. The latter is only known as a floating bomb.
 

Pusser01

The Bunker Group
Verified Defense Pro
I believe her maintenance costs were very high - can't remember the details but it was like burning bundles of fivers to keep warm.

I may well be wrong :)
Quite possibly, though still would have thought paying off the 2x Fort Rosalie class instead would have been they way to go, especially noting their age at the time & lack of utility. At least then the RFA would have a backup for Fort Victoria. Cheers.
 

JohnJT

Active Member
The two carriers sailing together. It's an awesome sight, especially with a full deck of F-35s on QE!
 

StobieWan

Super Moderator
Staff member
Absolutely - been following the channel updates on YT, watching The Sullivans come into port then back out, and a friend of mine was on the OPV observing QE depart. It's been fascinating watching the RN turn itself around from a navy more used to operating in isolation from other RN ships to putting a full task force together, including multinational elements.

As I said to someone else on another board, this is about as expensive but way more entertaining than a Royal Wedding :)
 

StobieWan

Super Moderator
Staff member
Couldn't find a post relating to this so apologies if it's been mentioned buuuut:


This is way more interesting than it might have been since two other announcements came out -

Firstly that the RN is looking for an RFI regarding fitting cats and traps for what sounds like a fairly hefty UAS

Secondly, LANCA - the RAF's Lightweight Affordable Novel Combat Aircraft. which is also intended to be interoperable with RN carriers.

Edit:

Project Mosquito. Early days yet.

This could potentially be very interesting.
 
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hauritz

Well-Known Member
It seems like just about every other country has a loyal wingman type program running these days. At least the UK is coming straight out and saying that they intend to arm these things. Armed drones with advanced AI decision-making capabilities ... I can't see any possible way that could go wrong.
 

ngatimozart

Super Moderator
Staff member
Verified Defense Pro
Shame really, it's critical to the future of the RN carrier strike capability but it had become the thread the demonstrates why we can't have nice things.
Well there was a complaint about it derailing the thread and I tended to concur because I believe that it covers a wide magnitude of sins. You do have nice things, just not enough of them, that's all. Maybe Guy Fawkes had the right idea :D
 

Albedo

Active Member

On the subject of UK carriers, due to a shortage of US carriers, apparently Japan-based USS Ronald Reagan will deploy to the Middle East over the summer to cover the Afghanistan withdrawal leaving the US without a carrier in East Asia. Being interchangeable with US carriers was one of the goals of the Queen Elizabeth-class and HMS Queen Elizabeth being the only "allied" carrier, for lack of a better term, in East Asia while USS Ronald Reagan is away will be a nice distinction for her first deployment and a good reply to criticism that the Queen Elizabeth-class carriers are too big or too ambitious.
 

StobieWan

Super Moderator
Staff member
Exactly - and as I've always said, it's easier to order a dozen F35 than one more carrier. They're both big old girls, apparently their sea keeping is extremely good and everyone wants to be your dance partner when you say "Oh, we'll be bringing our own carrier"
 
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