Naval/Air news thread

slornie · May 9, 2012

Cameron set for U-turn on jump jets

Great, the Government's going to U-turn on the one part of defence policy it got right! So we're now going back to the more expensive and less capable fighters that we need more of, while also making our carrier force completely incompatible with all of our major allies (USA, France and the rest of NATO).

How can it magically have become so much more expensive to fit something the carriers were specifically designed for?

General Baker · May 9, 2012

I was just about to paste this link. After having been so keen on the B as a replacement for Harrier, I've turned around and in my head, just mumbled "ohhh fooheey"

imperialman · May 9, 2012

slornie said:
Cameron set for U-turn on jump jets

Great, the Government's going to U-turn on the one part of defence policy it got right! So we're now going back to the more expensive and less capable fighters that we need more of, while also making our carrier force completely incompatible with all of our major allies (USA, France and the rest of NATO).

How can it magically have become so much more expensive to fit something the carriers were specifically designed for?

Wait for an official announcement. The papers are terrible for this.

slornie · May 9, 2012

imperialman said:
Wait for an official announcement. The papers are terrible for this.

It's being reported by the BBC now.

imperialman · May 9, 2012

slornie said:
It's being reported by the BBC now.

The BBC have made a mess of it before too, tomorrow is the official announcement. It seems more likely now but just wait.

unmerged(315513) · May 9, 2012

I wonder if they were planning on the same EMALs catapult as the FORD class. From what I've read, the catapults seem to be responsible for a significant part of the already large cost overruns on the FORD.

General Baker · May 9, 2012

The guardian has joined in. I can't imagine it's a false alert when newspapers from across the spectrum are making it sound like a certainty. There must be a credible source behind all of this.

imperialman · May 9, 2012

General Baker said:
The guardian has joined in. I can't imagine it's a false alert when newspapers from across the spectrum are making it sound like a certainty. There must be a credible source behind all of this.

To be fair, the same happened last month with most of the papers. I'm inclined to believe it may happen but given their track record, I'll just wait until tomorrow.

slornie · May 9, 2012

I keep hoping its an elaborate bait-and-switch, where by hyping up all the talk of a dramatic U-turn the government can instead say "NOPE we're sticking to our plan" and draw attention away from the Budget and today's Queen's Speech.

unmerged(315513) · May 10, 2012

Nope - it was all over the news with a special section on PM on Radio 4 this afternoon.

General Baker · May 16, 2012

http://www.washingtonpost.com/world...of-blackouts/2012/05/15/gIQAfLB0RU_story.html

unmerged(354224) · May 18, 2012

Royal Navy Blasts pirate boat

http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/world-news/royal-navy-blasts-suspected-somali-834797

slornie · May 18, 2012

"suspected Somali pirate boat" - what if it turns out that they weren't pirates? Does the RN have to pay damages?

unmerged(354224) · May 18, 2012

slornie said:
"suspected Somali pirate boat" - what if it turns out that they weren't pirates? Does the RN have to pay damages?

:laugh:

slornie · May 18, 2012

Surprise! China’s Stealth Jets Are 2 Years Ahead of Schedule

^ Which will make it into service first, the J-20 or the F-35?

unmerged(354224) · May 18, 2012

probably the J20

Someone really needs to give Cameron and the rest of the conservatives a slap

imperialman · May 19, 2012

astute97 said:
probably the J20
Someone really needs to give Cameron and the rest of the conservatives a slap

Eh, why? They're not in charge of the F-35...

unmerged(354224) · May 19, 2012

imperialman said:
Eh, why? They're not in charge of the F-35...

If the carrier project as a whole had been left alone then there wouldn't be a problem

General Baker · May 19, 2012

The carrier project has nothing to do with development of the jets... they're two unlinked projects.

=Mike= · May 19, 2012

astute97 said:
If the carrier project as a whole had been left alone then there wouldn't be a problem

What is the problem you are talking about? Doesn't make sense currently...

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