Thanks for the support. Just for the record, don't believe the stories about one of the QEs being axed, downgraded to an LPH or sold to India. All pure BS from the fevered minds of bored and ill informed journos. Both QE class will be built, both will be completed to full operational capability and both will be commissioned into the RN. At present, the first tranche of F-35Bs is likely to number around 60 aircraft, to provide IOC by 2018 which will mean a single air group (2-3 frontline sqns plus OCU and attrition spares). This was always the plan though, that there would be one 'on call' carrier available to deploy at short notice, and the second would either be in refit or at longer notice to deploy, as relief for the first carrier or if needed as a 'mega LPH' (a capability designed into both ships from the start, just as with the Invincible class). There is always the possibility of buying more F-35Bs when finances improve several years from now, as the production lines will be running for a long time yet. At present, The UK has placed orders for only three F-35Bs as part of the trials programme. We are also the only tier 1 partner in the JSF programme, so in effect we (the UK) will be getting our Lightnings virtually free once profits from global sales are taken into account...
Annouced a few days ago, one Harrier GR9 sqn is to disband (likely to be IV sqn) leaving 1sqn and the NSW (800/801NAS) as well as the Harrier OCU 20 sqn, which will have to move down the road to RAF Wittering as RAF Cottesmore is to close in a couple of years. An OSD for tha Harrier force has been suggested as 2016, but this is two years before the F-35B is due to reach IOC so expect this date to be revised especially after next years change of government...
Under current plans the RAF's Merlin HC3/3a force is to be transferred to the CHF and 'marinised' (folding rotors and tails, plus tie down points) to replace the current Sea King HC4/HAS6Cs which are wearing out after thirty years of service (many of those in service today served in the Falklands in 82!). The RAF RW sqns will become all Chinook with about 70 airframes, the RN will operate only Merlins (HM2s for ASW, HC4s for the CHF and probably ASaC5s for AEW) and Lynx Wildcats for DDG/FFGs. The Army Air Corps will operate a mix of AH-64D Apaches and Lynx Wildcats. The Sea Kings are due out of service now by 2016, though of course reality has a habit of getting in the way...
Currently the RN has 42 Merlin HM1s in service, 30 of which are to be upgraded to HM2 standard. originally the plan was to upgrade 38, but the options for the last 8 were dropped. These airframes are now in line to take over from the Sea King ASaC 7s currently in service with 849, 854 and 857 NAS, but 8 is insufficient to replace the 13 SKWs in service. As there are twelve Merlins available, I think it more likely that is the number to be converted. Certainly the RN has been keen to demonstrate the utility of the ASaC force beyond traditional carrier AEW by deploying the two frontline sqns away from the carriers at every opportunity, one sqn is even now in Afganistan, where the Radar has proved very useful over (the very flat and barren) land in spotting the Taleban.
