Northern Ireland Aviation Enthusiast's Forum

General Aviation Discussion => General Aviation Discussion => Topic started by: casper on December 15, 2005, 01:17:27 PM

Title: New Carriers
Post by: casper on December 15, 2005, 01:17:27 PM

So the Royal Navy is to get two new carriers. It's sad that it has taken the government nearly 30 years to realise that 'Through Deck Cruisers' are no alternative to a full size carrier.

News article here (http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/scotland/4527110.stm)

Title: New Carriers
Post by: alert5 on December 17, 2005, 07:26:02 PM

You would have thought that after the Falklands conflict they would have copped onto to the fact that a larger carrier would be required in the ever going hostile world.

Wondering if they will carry a number of different aircraft types?

Title: New Carriers
Post by: Chris G on December 17, 2005, 07:47:00 PM

Well of course the plan is for them to carry the JSF, but if that should get dropped they plan to make a carrier-borne version of the Typhoon which IMO would be the better choice anyway. Failing that some F/A-18 Super Bugs would be a good choice too. 8)

Title: New Carriers
Post by: alert5 on December 17, 2005, 08:21:06 PM

I'm looking forward to seeing 'proper' carrier planes :)

I can just about remember the Ark Royal and her F-4 Phantoms  :lol:

Title: New Carriers
Post by: casper on December 20, 2005, 04:21:02 PM

Just hope the JSF doesn't suffer the same fate as the naval version of the F-111. Trying to make a single plane compatiable with all arms of the armed forces is a recipe for disaster.

Title: New Carriers
Post by: casper on December 21, 2005, 08:20:36 PM

Turns out that the JSF and the new carriers may not be ready at the same time. Typical government planning.

Title: New Carriers
Post by: alert5 on December 25, 2005, 08:18:29 PM

So what happens then? If the JSF is ready before the carriers the pilots can at least come up to speed on them but if the carriers are ready first they become very expensive 'do nothings'. They'll just sit in dock, go out on the odd training cruise and generally drain money from an already over stretched defence budget.