UNBELIEVABLE

[CINDERS]

I remember the news on that one Jim, "Blue on Blue" I have not asked for operational details only practice/war games (Live fire) out of respect as it shows poor judgement on myself for trying to drag something up that others whom had been at the pointy end would rather forget. Thank you for your reply Jim.

[Brit plumber]

I went down to Edwards AFB to see 17 Sqn while I was at NAWS China lake the other year. I've been on Test and Evaluation of fast jets for 5 years now and was interested in a move to F35. I knew one of they guys there from a previous tour and after chatting to him and a few others I decided not to continue my interest. The aircraft is amazingly advanced, even more so than the Raptor but its role is somewhat limited by its stealth. I won't go into details but I don't see our new carriers being used that much for carrier ops.

There is still a Navyfied Typhoon on the drawing board which although isn't being persued at this time, has not been completely shelved either.

[Gil Boyd]

Brit Plumber,
I suppose its always possible to see Typhoon try out the decks, now we have given the U.S. back the wrong ordered catapult system, for our carriers....oh deery me...........that and other procurement disasters led to 5,000 at Abbey Wood being laid off, very sad really and a subject swept and kept under the carpet

[Aragorn243]

What if they upped the power plants to turbo props, the guys on the ground depend on close support from aircraft like the A -10's whilst the Spectre puts the wind up the bad guys I surmise nothing makes the troops happier that to see those 30mm GAU rounds exploding all over the baddies and the distinctive report following. Has anyone here witnessed the strafing run of an A-10 close up in practice what were the results. TIA

I have, pretty impressive.

[Merle]

What if they upped the power plants to turbo props, the guys on the ground depend on close support from aircraft like the A -10's whilst the Spectre puts the wind up the bad guys I surmise nothing makes the troops happier that to see those 30mm GAU rounds exploding all over the baddies and the distinctive report following. Has anyone here witnessed the strafing run of an A-10 close up in practice what were the results. TIA

there are a number of such vids on you tube.....

[Aragorn243]

I had front row seat to what used to be called a million dollar minute at Ft Bragg. A-10 strafed the drop zone. Sheridan tank was pushed out the back of a low flying plane. Supporting infantry and crew parachuted in. And they drove the tank off firing at targets on the way. Long time ago but never forgot the sound the A-10 made. Devastated an area the size of a football field.

[mrclark303]

I went down to Edwards AFB to see 17 Sqn while I was at NAWS China lake the other year. I've been on Test and Evaluation of fast jets for 5 years now and was interested in a move to F35. I knew one of they guys there from a previous tour and after chatting to him and a few others I decided not to continue my interest. The aircraft is amazingly advanced, even more so than the Raptor but its role is somewhat limited by its stealth. I won't go into details but I don't see our new carriers being used that much for carrier ops.

There is still a Navyfied Typhoon on the drawing board which although isn't being persued at this time, has not been completely shelved either.

The main issue as I see it at present is numbers, we need to be getting 12 a year to build up and sustain a viable F35B core force over the next 5 years, not the dribs and drabs being funded at present. Though a vague promise of 138 aircraft has been made, no time frame has been given on the procurement.

Also looking further ahead, we need carrier borne AAR in some capacity (buddy refueling if possible) or a multi roll V22 variant (AAR/COD) preferable option, but not cheap, will be needed to truly get the most out of an embarked F35B air wing.


The trouble with marinising a Typhoon is the age old issue of BAE Systems let loose with the MOD cheque book, the re-engineering costs, coupled with a comparitivly small order (60 - 80) and the rework of the ships with arrestor wires and would end up making the F35 look cheap!

[CINDERS]

Watched allot on the tube but just wanted to hear from those that have experienced it in the flesh like #16

[Flying10uk]

Using both Carriers at the same time is unfortunately very unlikely, due to a shortage of both escort ships and personal, they will in all likelihood be used one at a time to ensure a continuous carrier capability.

If you believe the 2015 Strategic Defence Review both ships will be used concurrently but only one will deploy with fixed wing aircraft. Obviously when one ship is in refit there will only be one available for deployment.

[mrclark303]

I suppose it's down to the definition of "used concurrently" F10. Both ships will be in commission, but one will be in use, with the other at extended readiness, with a reduced crew.

There simply isn't enough RN assets of all types to support both.

When not in dry dock re-fit, it could be activated in a few weeks in an emergency, but it would involve some serious compromising of the RN and the assistance of allies to provide escorts, (unless it was part of the same task group as the active carrier).

I really hope I am wrong, but unless there is a fundamental step change over the next few years, it's inevitable in my opinion.