Last I heard the Aussie LHDs were to be built without ski jumps because there is at present no official requirement for F-35Bs and the ships are officially supposed to be helo-only. Has anyone heard any different on this subject yet?
Aircraft Carriers II (Closed to posting)
- Thread starter Jeff Head
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Got 'em! Will be up on my carriers site this week! Thanks Cisneros!
The Euro navies are certainly, as I stated earlier, showing that collectively they carry quite a punch. Very nice vessels and capabilities.
Tasman may have an answer. Still the final question is if and when the RAN will have theese ships built?? I hope the project goes foward.
Tasman
Junior Member
The ships will be built with the ski jump. The main reason usually given is that the cost of altering the design is not considered to be worth the one extra helo spot it would provide. Six landing spots and the capacity to carry at least another 12 medium size helos in the hangar more than meets the needs of the army. In addition the ski jump may be used for fixed wing UAVs and for cross decking USMC VSTOL aircraft.
Whilst there is a bit of nervousness about the new government's 'Razor Gang' which is seeking cuts to insulate the country from any economic downturn there is no suggestion that the LHDs won't be built, except from some academics who are opposed to the Australian Defence Force having any equipment that is 'large', 'sophisticated', 'expensive' or 'aggressive' (e.g. LHD and Air Warfare Destroyer). Chances of a third LHD (and fourth AWD), however, are looking more remote, as is the prospect of F-35Bs being included in future Australian orders for the JSF.
Tas
Thanks! I have updated my World wide Aircraft Carriers site with a bunch of the new pictures for the Spanish L61, Juan Carlos I.Maybe I have some more interesting pics for you two and everyone else. There's a spanish foto-forum with sub sections for SN carriers, surface vessels, subs etc.
A frequent poster regularly posts pics from Navantia shipyard. Here are his latest from today, taken yesterday evening.
It's really nice to see Europes navies with a formidable presance at the high sees again
Later on the F-35B and perhaps a MV-22 varien will give the JC1 and Cavour full capabilities.
harryRIEDL
New Member
dose that mean you will also finally add the QE class/CVF as construction will start in a few months
My policy has always been that as soon as first steel is cut (as it was with the new CVN-21) I will post the page. I am not sure of the projected date for that, but know it will be soon. As soon as I hear or read that that has occurred, I will post a page on the QE II...and am looking very foward to it.
harryRIEDL
New Member
Thanks for the clarification the steel has been ordered so in my books its only a matter of time.
You are very welcome.
Yes, with the steel on order, it is only a matter of time before first steel cut, which could actually be done well before large quantities of steel come in. First steel cut is usually a symbolic, PR affair. Could happen any time actually.
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