UK Military News, Reports, Data, etc.

Jeff Head said:

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They need both carriers so they can have one available at all times and not run into the problems the French are already experiencing.

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Jura said:

... I found this convenient link:

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with 22 clickable slides about the QE-class

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Naval Today said:

Royal Navy’s Type 23 frigates were given a major anti-air capability upgrade with the Sea Ceptor missile which was recently put on display to soldiers in charge of shooting down enemy aircraft.

The HMS Westminster is in the closing stages of a major overhaul in Portsmouth Naval Base which has seen her become one of the first ships in the Fleet to receive Sea Ceptor, the new short-range shield against air attack.

The weapon and its supporting radar system will gradually replace the ageing Seawolf missiles fitted across the Type 23 frigate flotilla.

In its place, the vertically-launched supersonic Sea Ceptor which is slightly heavier than its predecessor and has a much greater range: more than 25km (15 miles), two and a half times the distance of Seawolf.

The gunners of 16 Regiment Royal Artillery, based at Thorney Island – just along the coast from Portsmouth – currently use the veteran Rapier missile to provide their infantry and armoured comrades with cover on the battlefield.

Rapier is on the verge of retirement, in favour of a ground-based version of Sea Ceptor (short for interceptor).

Officers and senior non-commissioned officers from 16 Regiment, led by Lieutenant Colonel James Mardlin, made the short trip to Portsmouth to hear both from the ship’s company and from the new missile’s developers MBDA about progress with the system to date and what the future might hold in store for Ceptor.

“We are excited about being able to work together over the next few years,” said Lieutenant Commander Chris L’Amie, Westminster’s Senior Naval Officer.

“The introduction of Ceptor is a real opportunity for both us and 16 Regiment to learn from each other. We will continue to foster a strong working relationship with our closest military neighbours.”

His ship will return to the Fleet next year with a new look and as the Royal Navy’s premier submarine hunter.

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814 NAS and 829 NAS will be merged together to provide Small Ship Flights for the Type 23 frigates; a flight at high readiness for the Fleet Ready Escort / Towed Array Patrol Ship and a few extra flights for reinforcement of the carriers.

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MoD blasted over delay in naval tanker delivery

RFA Tidespring, a Tide class tanker, is now eight months late and has still not been accepted by the Ministry of Defence due to manpower shortages.

Tidespring was expected to be accepted by the British Ministry of Defence in January this year with the expectation it would be delivered this month.

The vessel, part of the Royal Fleet Auxiliary’s Military Afloat Reach and Sustainability (MARS) programme, is still in South Korea as there aren’t sufficient crew to man the ship when it returns to the UK.

After speaking to a source in the RFA who blasted the Ministry of Defence for failing to recruit enough personnel, it has been made clear to us that manning problems are preventing delivery, the MoD have not responded to requests for comments on this.

The Tide class tanker is a class of four fast fleet tankers that will enter service with the Royal Fleet Auxiliary. The 37,000 tonne ships will provide fuel, food, fresh water, ammunition and other supplies to Royal Navy vessels around the world.

First steel was cut on the 24th of June 2014 for RFA Tidespring, she was expected to arrive in Falmouth in Spring 2016 to allow A&P Group to fit military equipment such as communications gear. Her three sister ships were to follow at six-month intervals.

A spokeswoman for the MoD said in August:

“We remain confident of delivering the MARS Tanker project within the original approved budget and expect all four tankers to be in service by 2018 as planned.

As with all major projects, timelines are regularly reviewed and the nature of this contract means the MoD is protected from any unplanned cost increases.”

Norway has ordered a 26,000t version with a 48-bed hospital and greater solid stores capacity, for delivery in October 2016 as HNoMS Maud.

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Cost of Type 45 Destroyer fix revealed

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HMAS Perth, RFA Fort Victoria, HMS Portland and USS Nitze and USS Mason in the Middle East

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FORBIN said:

£280 million for DDGs which have only 7 years ! and have costed £1 billion !!!

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The United Kingdom’s Ministry of Defence (MoD) is finalising the agreement of a £30M contract with UK DRAGONFIRE, an UK industrial team led by MBDA, to conduct the Laser Directed Energy Weapons (DEW) Capability Demonstrator.

UK DRAGONFIRE will achieve, through the Laser Directed Energy Weapons (DEW) Capability Demonstrator, a significant step change in the UK’s capability in High Energy Laser Weapon Systems and will provide the basis for technology-driven operational advantage. The programme will mature the key technologies for a high energy defensive laser weapon system and will include the engagement of representative targets in land and maritime environments in 2019. The programme will also provide the body of evidence for future procurement decisions.

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