Aircraft Carriers II (Closed to posting)

Air Force Brat said:

Yes, in the Harrier pilots deployment on the Lusty, they really appreciated the nicer appointments and hated to leave, bd why do the QEs have two islands?

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hkbc said:

Whole bunch of reasons why there's 2 islands

1) It's got GT + Diesel gensets as it's driven electrically, there's a Gas turbine "under" each one of the 2 islands affording greater separation against battle damage and simplifies trunking for the intakes/exhaust without an over large island (hence saves deck space!)

2) Provides spatial separation for the radars and other electronics to reduce interference without needing a large island, using supplementary masts (like the AN/SPS-49 on the Nimitz class and the one on the Vikramaditya) or very tall island(s) (the "stacked up" one on the Liaoning), the ships were designed with a moderate air draught to get under the Forth bridge!

3) "Optimises" operations, ship command/bridge in the forward island flyco in the aft island, without an overlarge island

If you add 2 sets of GT trunking to the foot print of the ford class island it will come out bigger!

Hope this helps!

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hkbc said:

Whole bunch of reasons why there's 2 islands

1) It's got GT + Diesel gensets as it's driven electrically, there's a Gas turbine "under" each one of the 2 islands affording greater separation against battle damage and simplifies trunking for the intakes/exhaust without an over large island (hence saves deck space!)

2) Provides spatial separation for the radars and other electronics to reduce interference without needing a large island, using supplementary masts (like the AN/SPS-49 on the Nimitz class and the one on the Vikramaditya) or very tall island(s) (the "stacked up" one on the Liaoning), the ships were designed with a moderate air draught to get under the Forth bridge!

3) "Optimises" operations, ship command/bridge in the forward island flyco in the aft island, without an overlarge island

If you add 2 sets of GT trunking to the foot print of the ford class island it will come out bigger!

Hope this helps!

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thecheeto said:

...flight trials with the J 15 aboard the Liaoning. The article says flight trials have been going on for the past week or two. Lots of great pictures too.

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By Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Taylor DiMartino, USS Harry S. Truman Public Affairs

NORFOLK, Va. (NNS) -- The Navy hoisted an X-47B Unmanned Combat Air System (UCAS) demonstrator on board aircraft carrier USS Harry S. Truman (CVN 75) Nov. 26, in preparation for an unmanned aircraft's first, carrier-based testing.

A team from the Navy Unmanned Combat Air System program office (PMA-268) embarked Truman to conduct tests and demonstrations.

The X-47B, which boasts a wingspan of more than 62 feet (wider than that of an F/A-18 Super Hornet), will demonstrate seamless integration into carrier flight deck operations through various tests. During each demonstration, the X-47B will be controlled remotely via a hand-held control display unit (CDU).

Truman will be the first modern aircraft carrier to host test operations for an unmanned aircraft.

Capt. Jaime Engdahl, N-UCAS program manager, said the X-47B's delivery aboard Truman was among the most historic moments in the program's history.

"This is a very important moment for the X-47B," said Engdahl. "The moment the aircraft set down on Truman's deck was the moment it officially met the fleet."

Cmdr. Kevin Watkins, N-UCAS's flight test director, agreed with Engdahl's sentiment.

"Bringing the X-47B aboard Truman is a big milestone for the program," said Watkins. "We've been testing the aircraft for the last several years and to finally put it on a ship is so exciting. If these tests are successful, they will prove that the future for unmanned aircraft is wide open."

Lt. Cmdr. Larry Tarver, Truman's aircraft handling officer, who helped coordinate the X-47B's on-load, said his Sailors are eager to participate in the aircraft's testing.

"It means a lot to our crew to be part of naval history," said Tarver. "We have Sailors who received additional training to safely move the X-47B and they are excited to play a part in its testing."

While technical challenges are to be expected when introducing the new system to a carrier's flight deck, Engdahl said he expects the tests to be successful citing strong teamwork between his team and Truman's crew.

"The support from Truman has been phenomenal and it's going to continue to take close cooperation between the carrier's Sailors and the UCAS-D team to make these demonstrations successful," said Engdahl. "To operate large, unmanned aircraft off of a carrier, from anywhere in the world, will be a key capability for the Navy after these tests are successful."

The X-47B test will be conducted over a three week period which will include in-port and underway demonstrations aboard Truman.

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The news hasn’t made headlines in Spain, for whatever range of reasons (pick your own). What has made headlines, is the “surprising” fact that the aircraft carrier will be scrapped “up north”, in Ferrol, despite being considered a Cadiz ship.

Principe de Asturias was built in Cadiz, it was based at Rota naval base, and has always been maintained in Cadiz. Indeed, a three million euro refit in 2007 (aimed mainly at the “entertainment facilities” onboard according to El Pais) was completed in Cadiz.

So, why is it being scrapped in Ferrol, the other end of the country?

The main reason appears to be because Rajoy is from Galicia, and Galicia voted pro-PP in the last regional election a couple of months ago. So, now the unions get a nice tasty contract from the State, and the PSOE socialist stronghold in Cadiz gets… nothing.

In fact, the only naval contract currently being carried out in Cadiz is… for the Navy of Mozambique, which has a patrol vessel there for a refit.

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