Queen Elizabeth class Aircraft Carriers

[Parera]

De Britten willen in de toekomst hun Carriers uitrusten met UAV's. Serieuze plannen.
Als ik het zo lees dan lijkt me systemen zoals de Mojave (vast vleugel) en V-249 het meest voor de hand liggend.
Maar ook als vervanging van de Merlins en Wildcats een maritieme versie van de V-280.

Ik vraag me af of de Mojave de oplossing is voor de Royal Navy. GA heeft ook een maritieme variant ontwikkeld met kennis van de Mojave. Het gaat dan om de MQ-9B STOL ontwikkeld voor inzet vanaf de Amerikaanse LHD/LHA's. Het grootste verschil is dat dit een toestel is met vleugels die kunnen worden gevouwen, wel zijn ze gebaseerd op de vleugels van de Mojave.

https://www.ga-asi.com/remotely-piloted-aircraft/mq-9b-stol



De Britse keuze om de QE's uit te rusten met onbemande systemen is wat mij betreft ook de enige weg om in te gaan voor de RN. Het Britse budget is niet hoog genoeg om beide carriers te voorzien van een volwaardige air wing van F-35B's dus UCAV's is de beste optie om dit aan te vullen.

[Harald]

De Britten willen in de toekomst hun Carriers uitrusten met UAV's. Serieuze plannen.
Als ik het zo lees dan lijkt me systemen zoals de Mojave (vast vleugel) en V-249 het meest voor de hand liggend.
Maar ook als vervanging van de Merlins en Wildcats een maritieme versie van de V-280.

Aircraft Carriers Underpin Royal Navy Plans To Use UAS To Help Build Maritime Mass

The UK Royal Navy (RN) is accelerating plans to build increased mass at sea, including by developing uncrewed air systems (UASs) for operation from its two Queen Elizabeth-class (QEC) aircraft carriers.


A Mojave UAV is pictured onboard the aircraft carrier HMS Prince of Wales, during trials in November 2023. The RN is integrating its carrier and UAS capabilities to help accelerate generation of mass at sea.

This includes deploying UAS capabilities for test and evaluation – and demonstration – when second-in-class HMS Prince of Wales leads the UK's Carrier Strike Group 2025 (CSG25) deployment to the Indo-Pacific region.

Several UAS-focused programmes sit centrally within the RN's wider maritime aviation transformation plans, Commodore Steve Bolton, the navy's Deputy Director for Aviation Programmes and Futures – and the senior officer charged with shaping future RN aviation requirements and capability, including uncrewed systems – told SAE Media Group's Uncrewed Maritime Systems Technology conference in Wokingham, UK on 8 May.

Three key programmes are:

- a fixed-wing UAS to replace the carrier-borne, Merlin helicopter-based Crowsnest airborne early warning (AEW) system, which is due to retire at the end of the decade;
- the Future Crewed Maritime Air System (FCMAS), which will assess longer-term capability options, beyond the in-service Merlin and Wildcat helicopters, for various tasks including search-and-rescue, joint personnel recovery, and maritime counter-terrorism;
- the Vertical Take-Off/Landing Autonomous Collaborative Platforms (VTOL ACP), which aims to develop – in collaboration with crewed aircraft and surface ships – future - intelligence/surveillance/reconnaissance (ISR), logistics, and strike capabilities, post-Merlin and Wildcat.

VTOL ACP, a near-term priority, will at a tactical level develop UASs that can be launched, recovered, and operated from all current and future RN aviation-capable maritime platforms, and at a strategic level be central to the RN's transformation from crewed to uncrewed aviation.

Of course, the QEC carriers are fundamental to this transformation. Several UAS systems, including those in these programmes, have been or will be integrated into QEC carrier deployments. This supports the RN's aim of using the QEC carriers to build UAS autonomy, endurance, and range, alongside augmenting crewed/uncrewed integration to generate greater aviation persistence including in denied operating environments.

"We seek to exploit the size and capacity of ships such as the QEC carriers, to increase persistence through extended range and endurance."

Commodore Steve Bolton, Royal Navy's Deputy Director for Aviation Programmes and Futures

The RN will demonstrate this on CSG25. Cdre Bolton confirmed that the Malloy Aeronautics TRV 150 VTOL uncrewed aerial vehicle (UAV) – procured initially to provide logistics support for deployed Royal Marines Commando forces – will be trialed from Prince of Wales to deliver short-range, ship-to-ship logistics lift capability for a maritime task group, as part of the Maritime Intra-Theatre Lift (MITL) programme. "The intention is to develop this capability during the forthcoming CSG25 deployment, to lessen the burden on crewed platforms that can then focus on more complex, high-priority tasking," said Cdre Bolton. Moreover, he added, "What we're going to try and do is operate it at the same time as we operate crewed aircraft, which is no mean feat."

The RN has already demonstrated capability to launch and recover UAVs from a QEC carrier. Under Project 'Desert Skies', in November 2023 onboard Prince of Wales off the US East coast, the RN conducted a successful take-off and landing of a General Atomics Mojave UAV (a version of the MQ1C Gray Eagle system). The test, said Cdre Bolton, was "a highly successful milestone in proving that UASs can seamlessly integrate with QEC carriers, and informed our approach to replacement of Crowsnest."



Mojave was the largest UAS launched from an RN carrier to that point. However, Cdre Bolton explained that the navy is looking to build on this success to assess options to operate larger short take-off/landing UAVs to provide CSG AEW capability. Such UAVs will leverage the RN's existing surface platforms to prove the take-off/landing concept, he added.

Proving the capability off the US coast underlined the role of international partnerships in developing UAV-based capabilities for QEC. "If we can leverage existing fleets and develop international partnerships, there is added benefit of interoperability and interchangeability with our allies," said Cdre Bolton. "Through this route, we see the QEC carriers opening up to heavier and faster air vehicles in due course, as and when opportunity allows."

The QEC design enables consideration of different UAS options.

First, features like the flight deck ski jump enable the launch of larger air vehicles, for example. "We've got a deck with a ramp: how do we operate that?" Cdre Bolton asked.

Second, the carriers' short take-off/vertical landing (STOVL) concept of operations offers the RN different flexibility compared to, for example, a carrier fitted with catapults and arrester gear for launch-and-recovery operations. Such flexibility can include launching aircraft (crewed or uncrewed) while recovering other aircraft (crewed or uncrewed).

The RN operates around 40 UASs, within a wider inventory of around 300 uncrewed systems. The UASs include the Malloy TRV 150, the AeroVironment Puma, QinetiQ's Banshee Jet 80+, and Peregrine (based on the Schiebel S100 Camcopter). Cdre Bolton said more vehicles will follow, via the navy's Heavy Lift Challenge programme, which aims to deliver autonomous airborne re-supply capability, and the Proteus Technical Demonstrator, which focuses on developing uncrewed aviation/surface platform collaboration.

Peregrine is the RN's first rotary-wing UAS, and brings 24-hour tactical ISR capability for a deployed frigate, augmenting the embarked Wildcat capability.

The RN's maritime aviation transformation – which is drawing up a blueprint for aviation capability out to 2040 and beyond, and includes transitioning the bulk of logistics, ISR, and strike roles to uncrewed aviation – is focused on core themes that underline and enable UAS contributions to future operations. These encompass: a threat-led, capability-driven approach, focused on generating effects-based outcomes; using uncrewed systems where possible, and crewed systems where necessary; increased use of automation; use of modular approaches, to allow technology to be introduced and capability to be grown quickly; and to think big, start small, and scale up at pace.

The latter point is key to RN aims to scale up mass, Cdre Bolton explained. "What [uncrewed capability] will do for us is build back mass, and give us the opportunity to stay airborne for longer and reduce the risk to our people."

"Our aim is to increase combat mass by initially introducing uncrewed systems in an additive manner, to build operating experience, and understand how best to optimise the concept of employment for uncrewed aviation – with or without crewed aircraft teaming," Cdre Bolton continued. The transformation from crewed to uncrewed will be shaped by requirements and capabilities. "We seek a phased transition ... that is predominantly conditions-based, as opposed to timescale driven. That's really important," he added.

"When we talk about scaling up, we're talking about it in two formats: complexity, and numbers," Cdre Bolton said. "So, not just the numbers game."

https://www.navalnews.com/naval-news/2024/05/aircraft-carriers-underpin-royal-navy-plans-to-use-uas-to-help-build-maritime-mass/

[Sparkplug]

@smrmoorhouse

Italy becomes the 3rd nation to land F-35B on the deck
of @HMSQNLZ. A telling demonstration of the UK's
Flagship's interoperability with other nations. The fact
that US, Italian & UK F-35B are able to fly off another's
deck offers tactical agility & strategic advantage to
NATO

(Klik op afbeelding voor vergroting)








https://twitter.com/smrmoorhouse/status/1462823397235245066

[Sparkplug]

@smrmoorhouse (Commander UK Carrier Strike Group, 06-07-2021)

Through our exercises and operations with #NATO over the past six weeks, the Carrier Strike Group has demonstrated that the security of the Euro-Atlantic region remains the UK's foremost commitment. #CSG21

Here's what we've achieved:

https://twitter.com/smrmoorhouse/status/1412257422031327234

[Sparkplug]

@HMSQNLZ (20-05-2021)

We met up with our big little sister ⚡

https://twitter.com/HMSQNLZ/status/1395427362955829249

[Sparkplug]

@HMSQNLZ (13-05-2021)

When we're busy up top ⚡

We're busy below

Engineers keep our primary weapon systems serviceable and ready to fly

#F35
#CarrierStrike

(Klik op afbeelding voor vergroting)




https://twitter.com/HMSQNLZ/status/1392890373794566151

[Sparkplug]

F-35B jets to join the fight against Daesh from the Carrier Strike Group

UK F-35B fighter jets operating from HMS Queen Elizabeth will join Operation Shader in the fight against Daesh.

From:Ministry of Defence and James Heappey MP
Published:3 May 2021

F-35B Lightning fast jets will be the cutting edge of the Carrier Strike Group's (CSG21) formidable power in the air.

These are next generation multi-role combat aircraft equipped with advanced sensors, mission systems and stealth technology, enabling them to carry out intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance tasks.

This will be the first time UK fighter aircraft are embarked on an operational aircraft carrier deployment since 2010, and will be the largest number of F-35Bs ever to sail the seas.

The renowned 617 Squadron RAF ('The Dambusters') will operate the jets to provide tangible and impactful support to counter-Daesh operations in Iraq and Syria.

Minister for the Armed Forces, James Heappey MP said:
"The F-35B Lightning jets will pack a potent punch against Daesh and help prevent them from regaining a foothold in Iraq."

"This is a prime example of the UK Armed Forces stepping forward with our allies to confront persistent threats around the world. It is Global Britain in action.

CSG21, led by HMS Queen Elizabeth, is the largest concentration of maritime and air power to leave the UK in a generation and will set sail next month on its first operational deployment.

This is a joint Royal Air Force and Royal Navy deployment which is committed to confronting persistent threats around the world and make a meaningful contribution to global security.

The F-35B Lightning jets, which will operate from HMS Queen Elizabeth throughout the deployment, will make a significant contribution in degrading Daesh.

Chief of Joint Operations, Vice Admiral Sir Ben Key said:
"This deployment represents the embodiment of the UK's Joint Expeditionary Capability and utilising the F-35Bs in the fight against Daesh will further demonstrate our commitment to securing their global defeat."

March 2021 saw the second anniversary of Daesh's final and total loss of territory in Syria. However, there remain significant numbers of Daesh terrorists in Iraq and Syria.

The UK remains committed to defeating Daesh and enhancing security in the region, alongside the Iraqi Security Forces and our NATO allies.

Operation Shader is the UK's contribution to the Global Coalition against Daesh."

https://www.gov.uk/government/news/f-35b-jets-to-join-the-fight-against-daesh-from-the-carrier-strike-group

[Sparkplug]

Blended U.S. Marine, U.K. Royal Air Force Air Wing Aboard HMS Queen Elizabeth Will be Largest F-35 Deployment to Date (ook U.S. Navy personeel (aviation ordnance) komt aan boord)

https://news.usni.org/2021/04/29/blended-u-s-marine-u-k-royal-air-force-air-wing-aboard-hms-queen-elizabeth-will-be-largest-f-35-deployment-to-date

[Sparkplug]

@HMSQNLZ (27-04-2021)

A warm welcome to @820NAS, great to have you on board.

820 bring with them the wizardry the Merlin Mk2, with the addition of the new Crowsnest airborne surveillance system.

The last time we had a Crow's nest on board a navy ship, it was on top of a mast!

https://twitter.com/HMSQNLZ/status/1387113519544475656

[Sparkplug]

Record size and scope of Carrier Strike Group deployment announced

The largest concentration of maritime and air power to the UK in a generation will set sail next month, visiting more than 40 countries.

From: Ministry of Defence and The Rt Hon Ben Wallace MP
Published: 26 April 2021


Carrier Strike Group

The UK Carrier Strike Group's globe-spanning maiden deployment will feature visits to India, Japan, Republic of Korea and Singapore, Defence Secretary Ben Wallace will announce.

Mr Wallace will set out to Parliament the formidable size of the UK Carrier Strike Group, which will be led by new aircraft carrier HMS Queen Elizabeth.

On a 28-week deployment spanning 26,000 nautical miles, the Carrier Strike Group will conduct engagements with Singapore, the Republic of Korea, Japan and India as part of the UK's tilt towards the Indo-Pacific region. Units from the Carrier Strike Group are expected to visit more than 40 countries and undertake over 70 engagements.

Defence Secretary Ben Wallace said:
"When our Carrier Strike Group sets sail next month, it will be flying the flag for Global Britain – projecting our influence, signalling our power, engaging with our friends and reaffirming our commitment to addressing the security challenges of today and tomorrow."

"The entire nation can be proud of the dedicated men and women who for more than six months will demonstrate to the world that the UK is not stepping back but sailing forth to play an active role in shaping the international system of the 21st Century."

HMS Queen Elizabeth, the most powerful surface vessel in the Royal Navy's history, will next month set sail as the flagship of a Carrier Strike Group. Joining her will be a surface fleet of Type 45 destroyers, HMS Defender and HMS Diamond, Type 23 anti-submarine frigates HMS Kent and HMS Richmond, and the Royal Fleet Auxiliary's RFA Fort Victoria and RFA Tidespring.

Deep below the surface, a Royal Navy Astute-class submarine will be deployed in support, armed with Tomahawk cruise missiles.

Providing a cutting edge on the carrier's flight deck will be eight state-of-the-art RAF F-35B Lightning II fast jets. Alongside will be four Wildcat maritime attack helicopters, seven Merlin Mk2 anti-submarine helicopters and three Merlin Mk4 commando helicopters – the greatest quantity of helicopters assigned to a single UK Task Group in a decade.

And supporting below deck will be a company of Royal Marines Commandos.

A US Navy destroyer, a frigate from the Netherlands and a squadron of US Marine Corps F-35B jets are also fully integrated.

Indo-Pacific tilt

CSG21 will be a truly global deployment, from the North Atlantic to the Indo-Pacific. In Parliament, the Defence Secretary will explain how it will help achieve the UK's goal for deeper engagement in the Indo-Pacific region in support of shared prosperity and regional stability – a stated aim of the Government's recently published Integrated Review into foreign, defence, security and development policy.

The forthcoming deployment will bolster already deep defence partnerships in the region, where the UK is committed to a more enduring regional defence and security presence. Ships from the Carrier Strike Group will participate in Exercise Bersama Lima to mark the 50th anniversary of the Five Powers Defence Agreement between Malaysia, Singapore, Australia, New Zealand and the United Kingdom.

Engagements in Singapore, the Republic of Korea, Japan and India will provide the opportunity for strengthening our security relationships, tightening political ties and supporting our UK exports and International Trade agenda.

Sailing alongside Allies and partners

The Carrier deployment will take integration with NATO allies and other global Allies to a new level.

At the forefront will be the US and the Netherlands. Sailing as part of the Group and providing it with air defence and anti-submarine capabilities will be the Arleigh Burke-class destroyer USS THE SULLIVANS. Flying alongside their UK counterparts will be a squadron of 10 US Marine Corps F-35B Lightning II aircraft. Providing further air defence will be the Royal Netherlands Navy's frigate HNLMS Evertsen.

On the Mediterranean leg of the deployment, another close NATO Ally will provide a period of dual carrier operations when French Aircraft Carrier Charles De Gaulle sails alongside HMS Queen Elizabeth.

Elsewhere air and maritime forces from Australia, Canada, Denmark, Greece, Israel, India, Italy, Japan, New Zealand, Oman, the Republic of Korea, Turkey and the UAE will operate alongside the Carrier Strike Group.

Units from the group visit more than 40 countries and undertake in excess of 70 engagements, visits, air exercises and operations.

Leading in NATO

The UK Carrier Strike Group will be NATO's first 5th generation Carrier Strike Group, underlining the UK's leading role in the Alliance.

CSG21 will participate in NATO exercises such as Exercise Steadfast Defender, and provide support to NATO Operation Sea Guardian and maritime security operations in the Black Sea.

https://www.gov.uk/government/news/record-size-and-scope-of-carrier-strike-group-deployment-announced

[ARM-WAP]

Als je alles op een rijtje zet, zijn de carriers en de F35B samen gewoonweg te duur voor UK.
Ze kunnen hun krijgsmacht amper overeind houden. Constant zijn ze alle materieel projecten tegen het licht aan het houden. Hun marine is een schim van wat het ooit was, enndat voor een eiland staat.
Nieuwe varende eenheden worden karig uitgerust en in te kleine aantallen aangekocht.
Van grootse Europese militaire macht naar een derde rangs krijgsmacht.

Volledig mee eens.

Het is ook dat stugge vasthouden aan eigen R&D, eigen Productie enz...
Alle projecten voor escorteschepen zijn vertraagd, over budget en geresulteerd in geringere aantallen.
De Fransen gaan eigenljk dezelfde weg op... en de Italianen ook: slechts 2 Orizonte/Horizon (AAW), minder FREMMs,
dan weer een nieuwe klasse;
- die PPA's (IT). Wanneer ik dan naar de specificaties kijk is dat toch een fregat (met complete uitrusting)
- en die FDI/FTI/Belh@rra van de Fransen...
Ergens snap ik het wel: de industrie moet aan het werk gehouden worden, ook op niveau R&D.

[Kornet43]

Wat mij betreft zijn de QE's niet te groot maar heeft men gekozen voor de verkeerde soort carrier (vliegtuigen). Ze hadden niet moeten kiezen voor Skijump met STOVL vliegtuigen maar voor een CATOBAR carrier. De laatste optie was nog een combinatie van Skijump met arrestor gear maar ik weet niet of dat met de F-35C haalbaar geweest was anders houd je alsnog de F-35B en dan maakt het weinig verschil met de huidige uitvoering.



Is de vraag of de 2 carriers te groot zijn voor de F-35B dan moet ik het antwoord aanpassen naar ja. Voor de F-35B hadden de Britten beter kunnen kijken naar de Italianen met hun Cavour (30,000 ton i.p.v. 65,000 ton's QE's). Maar vanaf dag 1 had wat mij betreft de RN moeten kiezen voor 2 CATOBAR carriers of 2 LHA's/LHD's met de F-35B.

De Britse marine en de First Sea Lord admiraal Sir George Zambellas waren absoluut voor een CATOBAR carrier, maar dat plan werd verhinderd door de Britse regering omdat de CATOBAR carriers 1,5 miljard Pond Sterling duurder waren. Nog afgezien van meer personeelskosten op een CATOBAR.

[Master Mack]

Iets met roeien en geen riemen .  Net als bij ons

[A.J.]

Als je alles op een rijtje zet, zijn de carriers en de F35B samen gewoonweg te duur voor UK.
Ze kunnen hun krijgsmacht amper overeind houden. Constant zijn ze alle materieel projecten tegen het licht aan het houden. Hun marine is een schim van wat het ooit was, enndat voor een eiland staat.
Nieuwe varende eenheden worden karig uitgerust en in te kleine aantallen aangekocht.
Van grootse Europese militaire macht naar een derde rangs krijgsmacht.

Klinkt als een bekend verhaal...

[Ace1]

Wat mij betreft zijn de QE's niet te groot maar heeft men gekozen voor de verkeerde soort carrier (vliegtuigen). Ze hadden niet moeten kiezen voor Skijump met STOVL vliegtuigen maar voor een CATOBAR carrier. De laatste optie was nog een combinatie van Skijump met arrestor gear maar ik weet niet of dat met de F-35C haalbaar geweest was anders houd je alsnog de F-35B en dan maakt het weinig verschil met de huidige uitvoering.



Is de vraag of de 2 carriers te groot zijn voor de F-35B dan moet ik het antwoord aanpassen naar ja. Voor de F-35B hadden de Britten beter kunnen kijken naar de Italianen met hun Cavour (30,000 ton i.p.v. 65,000 ton's QE's). Maar vanaf dag 1 had wat mij betreft de RN moeten kiezen voor 2 CATOBAR carriers of 2 LHA's/LHD's met de F-35B.

In 2004 of in 2004 had Swan Hunter de bouwer van de Bay Class  en de Schelde een gesprek met de Royal Navy over de vervanging van de Invincible class men had het ontwerp van de Enforcer 30000 LHD laten zien en dat was een basis ontwerp zonder Jump Ski en de bouw daarvan koste toen €150 miljoen idat vond men bij de Royal Navy,  very cheap maar men wilde de Invincible class door grotere carriers vervangen.