that's a very small navy for a country that tries to act like a global power.
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that's a very small navy for a country that tries to act like a global power.
asif iqbal
Lieutenant General
there is something that clearly lacks in these fleets and the future fleet of the Royal Navy, that is "critical mass"
UK will have only
2 carriers
1 LHD
2 LPD
6 DDG
13 FFG
7 SSN
4 SSBN
Apart from the two carriers, the rest of the fleet will have to full fill two carrier strike groups, NATO responsibilitys, Falklands patrol, anti-piracy , anti-smuggling in Gulf of Mexico, East of Suez, high seas patrols and national defence and whole list of tasks not to mention the unseen tasks like Libya when they come up, they can't afford to losse a ship or have one down, it leaves very little room of mistakes and mis haps and it compromises the entire national defence, there is only so many times they can make it work when they are lucky, sooner or later something happens and the gap will become very clear
I believe there should have been without doubt 8 DDG or certainly even 12, and 16-20 FFG with Royal Navy, France also has same issue, small number of high class ships without the fundamental aspect of critical mass
Or they design and build a corvette in high numbers for national patrol freeing up FFG and DDG for larger duties
That is a very nice, and very fast helicopter. Very impressive.
But, it does have horizontal engines on those stubby wings, which does make it a hybrid, and therefore if you begin including that, then you must also include the MV-22 Osprey, whose maximum speed is 305 knots (565 km/h, or 351 mph) at 15,000 ft.
TerraN_EmpirE
Tyrant King
Now now Jeff, The Osprey is a true Hybrid a Turboprop that likes to play as a Helicopter this is a Compound helicopter. A modern Gyrodyne.
Congrats The X3 demonstrator uses A hull taken from the Eurocopter EC155 Series ( a enlarged version of the Dolphin, the basis for the PLAAF Z9 helicopter) Engines and automotive parts form the NH90 and a unique set of props. The starboard prop counters Torque well the port is simply a tractor and is used only on demand. X3 is hoped to compete with the rising interest in Compound Helicopters by offering a Cheaper alternative to Coaxial configurations seen in the US and Russia. The Configuration of the X3 often reminds me of the RotoDyne and McDonnell XV-1. And makes me Wonder if a Production version might more strongly resemble such particularly in the larger lift modes.
The last holder of the Record for unofficial Helicopter speed was the Sikorsky X2 which topped out at 250 Kn which is now retired as Sikorsky is moving on to placing it's work into reality for the S-97 Raider which if successful would be the first combat helicopter with a 253 Kn cruise speed. X2 based craft are also in the offering as part of the upcoming JMR-TD program and may possibly be in the offering for the FVL replacing potentially being the basis of Replacing the American Army rotary wing fleet as well as a large list of other American Military fixed and Rotary wing crafts.
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This is true, but whether a compound or a hybrid, they are not really helicopters per sey, so I included it.
Now, I always liked the Sikorsky S-69 compound helicopter. They could do over 300 MPH. But only two were made. I always wished something more had come of it.
TerraN_EmpirE
Tyrant King
Me, I liked the S67 blackhawk attack helicopter. In both cases though the compound curse struck.
But for both of us the trend and development of the Boeing Sikorsky joint FVL and S97 has elements of both
But for both of us the trend and development of the Boeing Sikorsky joint FVL and S97 has elements of both
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Yep, the original Black Hawk, the S67, was quite the bird. Both attack and assault roles (it could carry fifteen troops) wrapped into one.
Sort of an American Hind.