HMS QE-Class Carriers back in force
Sept 7, 2014 17:54:29 GMT 12
Dave Homewood and 11SQNLDR like this
Post by macnz on Sept 7, 2014 17:54:29 GMT 12
Amidst the news as to the NATO response to Russia in the Ukraine, UK's PM slipped in the decision to reverse the 2010 Strategic Review decision to mothball HMS Prince of Wales in light of the UK's increased commitment to NATO readiness.
Good News for RN, they now will have a carrier force group operational 24/7 ..365 days of the year. Question now is whether this will predicate an increase on the F-35Bs ordered? Probably not a decision that will be rushed into given that HMS P.Wales wont be worked up for operation until 2020. HMS Queen ELizabeth is scheduled to be operation capable (IOC/FOC?) by 2018. Sea trials start in 2016.
Here is an article covering :
www.defensenews.com/article/20140905/DEFREG01/309050019/Cameron-UK-Will-Operate-2-Aircraft-Carriers?odyssey=mod|newswell|text|FRONTPAGE|p
Here are a couple of nice pics of HMS QE being floated out for outfitting.
www.flightglobal.com/blogs/the-dewline/2014/07/uk-carrier-floats/#comment-30501
Good News for RN, they now will have a carrier force group operational 24/7 ..365 days of the year. Question now is whether this will predicate an increase on the F-35Bs ordered? Probably not a decision that will be rushed into given that HMS P.Wales wont be worked up for operation until 2020. HMS Queen ELizabeth is scheduled to be operation capable (IOC/FOC?) by 2018. Sea trials start in 2016.
Here is an article covering :
www.defensenews.com/article/20140905/DEFREG01/309050019/Cameron-UK-Will-Operate-2-Aircraft-Carriers?odyssey=mod|newswell|text|FRONTPAGE|p
Here are a couple of nice pics of HMS QE being floated out for outfitting.
www.flightglobal.com/blogs/the-dewline/2014/07/uk-carrier-floats/#comment-30501