Nothing more lethal than a Matelot with a gun..............................................

I'm an ex Matelot and let me tell you, I was a fantastic shot.....especially when I remembered to point it the right way !

Anything under 4.5" is a toy.......

How does a fighter jet go about boarding and inspecting ships or vessels which are running drugs / arms / aiding piracy?

How does a fighter jet go about boarding and inspecting ships or vessels which are running drugs / arms / aiding piracy?

It's hard to board a sinking vessel.

How does a fighter jet go about boarding and inspecting ships or vessels which are running drugs / arms / aiding piracy?

It's hard to board a sinking vessel.

Harriers never had a problem boarding vessels that at least had a landing pad.

How does a fighter jet go about boarding and inspecting ships or vessels which are running drugs / arms / aiding piracy?

It's hard to board a sinking vessel.

Harriers never had a problem boarding vessels that at least had a landing pad.

Do you know how the US Navy depicts the USS John F. Kennedy, a nuclear carrier?

"100,000 tons of diplomacy."

How does a fighter jet go about boarding and inspecting ships or vessels which are running drugs / arms / aiding piracy?

It's hard to board a sinking vessel.

Harriers never had a problem boarding vessels that at least had a landing pad.

Do you know how the US Navy depicts the USS John F. Kennedy, a nuclear carrier?

"100,000 tons of diplomacy."

I once went on the Nimitz, in Pensa Cola I think it was. Blimey, that was a beast of a ship. It was like a small town.

I'd be a tad disappointed if it was like Rochdale.

Monte Carlo might get my attention...

How does a fighter jet go about boarding and inspecting ships or vessels which are running drugs / arms / aiding piracy?

It's hard to board a sinking vessel.

Harriers never had a problem boarding vessels that at least had a landing pad.

Do you know how the US Navy depicts the USS John F. Kennedy, a nuclear carrier?

"100,000 tons of diplomacy."

Gunboat diplomacy?

Nothing more lethal than a Matelot with a gun..............................................

I'm an ex Matelot and let me tell you, I was a fantastic shot.....especially when I remembered to point it the right way !

Me too

Nothing more lethal than a Matelot with a gun..............................................

I'm an ex Matelot and let me tell you, I was a fantastic shot.....especially when I remembered to point it the right way !

Me too

HMS Achilles 1979 - 1981 and HMS Fearless 1982 -1985

I'd be a tad disappointed if it was like Rochdale.

Monte Carlo might get my attention...

You've never even been to Rochdale have ya smokes? If you had, you wouldn't say stuff like that. You'd say "I'd be hugely disapointed"

Nothing more lethal than a Matelot with a gun..............................................

I'm an ex Matelot and let me tell you, I was a fantastic shot.....especially when I remembered to point it the right way !

Me too

+1

Nothing more lethal than a Matelot with a gun..............................................

I'm an ex Matelot and let me tell you, I was a fantastic shot.....especially when I remembered to point it the right way !

Anything under 4.5" is a toy.......

Just a bit of news from the 15th regarding the straits of Hormuz.

"The British component consists of four British minesweepers and the Royal Fleet Auxiliary Cardigan Bay, a logistics vessel. HMS Diamond, a brand-new £1billion Type 45 destroyer, one of the most powerful ships in the British fleet, will also be operating in the region."

At least we are still there.

Just another wee bit of news regarding the future of the Senior Service

'Ambush', second of the Royal Navy's, new Astute Class attack submarines, sails into Her Majesty's Naval Base Clyde to begin sea trials. The 7,400-tonne submarine sailed from the shipyard in Barrow-in-Furness in Cumbria, where she was built, to HM Naval Base Clyde in Scotland.

The seven Astute-class boats planned for the Royal Navy are the most advanced and powerful attack submarines Britain has ever sent to sea. They feature the latest nuclear-powered technology, which means they never need to be refuelled and can circumnavigate the world submerged, manufacturing the crew's oxygen from seawater as she goes.

Minister for Defence Equipment, Support and Technology Philip Dunne said: "Ambush's arrival at her home port to begin her sea trials marks a key milestone in the Astute Class submarine programme and is testament to the skills of those involved in the UK's world class submarine-building industry." He continued, "Ambush is an immensely powerful and advanced vessel that will deliver an important capability to the Royal Navy giving it the versatility and technical excellence needed to operate successfully across the globe."

Beware of the "Sun Dodgers"

'Ambush', sails into Her Majesty's Naval Base Clyde to begin sea trials

She was only the Admirals daughter, but had a lot of discharged seamen in her naval base.

Seems Phil the Greek knew what he was doing. (Didn't know his nickname was Clyde, though - thought that was Burt Reynolds' orang utan).

In a wider context re the use/ role of navies the ongoing territorial dispute in the South China Sea is largely a naval show and could well turn nasty....see below:

http://www.economist.com/node/21563316

Also the next arena requiring naval intervention is likely to be the Arctic, as this year's record summer melt of the sea-ice highlights the probability of an ice- free Arctic in the summer within the next 10 years (possibly sooner). With 30% of the world's possible natural gas reserves and 13% of the oil reserves in an area claimed by 6 nations without clearly designated boundaries, this will call for a naval presence at least in the summer.

Have a read:

http://www.economist.com/node/21563278

Just another wee bit of news regarding the future of the Senior Service

'Ambush', second of the Royal Navy's, new Astute Class attack submarines, sails into Her Majesty's Naval Base Clyde to begin sea trials. The 7,400-tonne submarine sailed from the shipyard in Barrow-in-Furness in Cumbria, where she was built, to HM Naval Base Clyde in Scotland.

The seven Astute-class boats planned for the Royal Navy are the most advanced and powerful attack submarines Britain has ever sent to sea. They feature the latest nuclear-powered technology, which means they never need to be refuelled and can circumnavigate the world submerged, manufacturing the crew's oxygen from seawater as she goes.

Minister for Defence Equipment, Support and Technology Philip Dunne said: "Ambush's arrival at her home port to begin her sea trials marks a key milestone in the Astute Class submarine programme and is testament to the skills of those involved in the UK's world class submarine-building industry." He continued, "Ambush is an immensely powerful and advanced vessel that will deliver an important capability to the Royal Navy giving it the versatility and technical excellence needed to operate successfully across the globe."

Beware of the "Sun Dodgers"

Oh Dear seams like the Ambush has a few teething problems!!!!!!!

A source is quoted as saying "it's like a V8 with a Morris Minor gear box" among other problems!!!!

Just another wee bit of news regarding the future of the Senior Service

'Ambush', second of the Royal Navy's, new Astute Class attack submarines, sails into Her Majesty's Naval Base Clyde to begin sea trials. The 7,400-tonne submarine sailed from the shipyard in Barrow-in-Furness in Cumbria, where she was built, to HM Naval Base Clyde in Scotland.

The seven Astute-class boats planned for the Royal Navy are the most advanced and powerful attack submarines Britain has ever sent to sea. They feature the latest nuclear-powered technology, which means they never need to be refuelled and can circumnavigate the world submerged, manufacturing the crew's oxygen from seawater as she goes.

Minister for Defence Equipment, Support and Technology Philip Dunne said: "Ambush's arrival at her home port to begin her sea trials marks a key milestone in the Astute Class submarine programme and is testament to the skills of those involved in the UK's world class submarine-building industry." He continued, "Ambush is an immensely powerful and advanced vessel that will deliver an important capability to the Royal Navy giving it the versatility and technical excellence needed to operate successfully across the globe."

Beware of the "Sun Dodgers"

Oh Dear seams like the Ambush has a few teething problems!!!!!!!

A source is quoted as saying "it's like a V8 with a Morris Minor gear box" among other problems!!!!

Well, when Scotland gains independence they won't be sending them to the Clyde for testing, will they?

So the rest of this class will be sent to sea with myriad unknown faults from their original shipbuilder - BAe.

Just another wee bit of news regarding the future of the Senior Service

'Ambush', second of the Royal Navy's, new Astute Class attack submarines, sails into Her Majesty's Naval Base Clyde to begin sea trials. The 7,400-tonne submarine sailed from the shipyard in Barrow-in-Furness in Cumbria, where she was built, to HM Naval Base Clyde in Scotland.

The seven Astute-class boats planned for the Royal Navy are the most advanced and powerful attack submarines Britain has ever sent to sea. They feature the latest nuclear-powered technology, which means they never need to be refuelled and can circumnavigate the world submerged, manufacturing the crew's oxygen from seawater as she goes.

Minister for Defence Equipment, Support and Technology Philip Dunne said: "Ambush's arrival at her home port to begin her sea trials marks a key milestone in the Astute Class submarine programme and is testament to the skills of those involved in the UK's world class submarine-building industry." He continued, "Ambush is an immensely powerful and advanced vessel that will deliver an important capability to the Royal Navy giving it the versatility and technical excellence needed to operate successfully across the globe."

Beware of the "Sun Dodgers"

Oh Dear seams like the Ambush has a few teething problems!!!!!!!

A source is quoted as saying "it's like a V8 with a Morris Minor gear box" among other problems!!!!

The article is from the left wing rag The Guardian and quoting John Large one of their most vitriolic anti SSN "experts" so nothing new there. If you care to now go back to The Guardian you will see some responses to the original article and I leave you to make your own mind up. First of class of anything never run perfectly straight from the box that's why there are trials.

Navy's are not going anywhere until the oceans are deserts. The purpose of the American Navy in peacetime is to insure the commercial sea lanes stay functioning properly that's a little hard to do from a plane. All the other jobs they do are secondary to the primary function of making sure the sea lanes are not disrupted. In Wartime that changes of course , the Navy has more planes than the Airforce btw. What sense would it make to not have a force on what is some 75 percent of the planet ?

Navy's are not going anywhere until the oceans are deserts. The purpose of the American Navy in peacetime is to insure the commercial sea lanes stay functioning properly that's a little hard to do from a plane. All the other jobs they do are secondary to the primary function of making sure the sea lanes are not disrupted. In Wartime that changes of course , the Navy has more planes than the Airforce btw. What sense would it make to not have a force on what is some 75 percent of the planet ?

Pity they don't protect the shipping in the Arabian Sea from Somali pirates, as that seems to be a part of their remit.

And the international force there does include aircraft, because the ships cannot see far enough to be able to locate potential pirate vessels. The planes do the location, the ships steam to the spot to try and catch the long-gone pirate vessels.

(By 'steam' I am not implying that the ships still use steam as the driver. Diesel or nuclear power is the propulsive power of choice)

By freighter, no thanks to the RN. I repeat, How much convoy duty does the RN do these days?

They didn't do much in 1913 or 1938 either.

Navy's are not going anywhere until the oceans are deserts. The purpose of the American Navy in peacetime is to insure the commercial sea lanes stay functioning properly that's a little hard to do from a plane. All the other jobs they do are secondary to the primary function of making sure the sea lanes are not disrupted. In Wartime that changes of course , the Navy has more planes than the Airforce btw. What sense would it make to not have a force on what is some 75 percent of the planet ?

Pity they don't protect the shipping in the Arabian Sea from Somali pirates, as that seems to be a part of their remit.

And the international force there does include aircraft, because the ships cannot see far enough to be able to locate potential pirate vessels. The planes do the location, the ships steam to the spot to try and catch the long-gone pirate vessels.

(By 'steam' I am not implying that the ships still use steam as the driver. Diesel or nuclear power is the propulsive power of choice)

Most All Navy fleets include aircraft spotter planes called AWACS they circle the fleet as the first line of radar and relay their findings back to the combat information centers on the ships, they are Navy planes that normally refuel in the air ...... they are making some increased attempt to stop those people but they don't seem especially concerned about it.

Ps ...... nuclear power is a steam engine it just heats the water with rods instead of wood or coal !

(By 'steam' I am not implying that the ships still use steam as the driver. Diesel or nuclear power is the propulsive power of choice)

UK destroyers use Rolls Royce gas turbines. Steamers are lovely. My first ship was a steamer. So quiet - non of that rattly old motor ship nonsense.

UK destroyers use Rolls Royce gas turbines. Steamers are lovely. My first ship was a steamer. So quiet - non of that rattly old motor ship nonsense.

Gas turbines are probably the most efficient power generation units - I've spent a large part of my life building power stations, refineries and petro-chem works. Gas-fired units are the machinery of choice, unless there is a large coal supply near the site. Even then, that only applies to independent power stations. If for refinery or petro-chem use, they are invariably gas-fired, with diesel as a secondary fuel.

I love 'em. Quick to install, easy to maintain, efficient, powerful (250MW units are common) and clean as compared to coal.

(By 'steam' I am not implying that the ships still use steam as the driver. Diesel or nuclear power is the propulsive power of choice)

UK destroyers use Rolls Royce gas turbines. Steamers are lovely. My first ship was a steamer. So quiet - non of that rattly old motor ship nonsense.

The RN runs their vessels on a mix of Gas Turbines and Electrical Motors, the electrical motors being quieter and more economical for day to day running.

Navy's are not going anywhere until the oceans are deserts. The purpose of the American Navy in peacetime is to insure the commercial sea lanes stay functioning properly that's a little hard to do from a plane. All the other jobs they do are secondary to the primary function of making sure the sea lanes are not disrupted. In Wartime that changes of course , the Navy has more planes than the Airforce btw. What sense would it make to not have a force on what is some 75 percent of the planet ?

The most important job the USN ever had was to close a commercial sea lane Cuba-USSR

Navy's are not going anywhere until the oceans are deserts. The purpose of the American Navy in peacetime is to insure the commercial sea lanes stay functioning properly that's a little hard to do from a plane. All the other jobs they do are secondary to the primary function of making sure the sea lanes are not disrupted. In Wartime that changes of course , the Navy has more planes than the Airforce btw. What sense would it make to not have a force on what is some 75 percent of the planet ?

The most important job the USN ever had was to close a commercial sea lane Cuba-USSR

They didn't close a sea lane from the ussr to cuba they made a naval blockade of cuba to icolate them. But I get your point

Navy's are not going anywhere until the oceans are deserts. The purpose of the American Navy in peacetime is to insure the commercial sea lanes stay functioning properly that's a little hard to do from a plane. All the other jobs they do are secondary to the primary function of making sure the sea lanes are not disrupted. In Wartime that changes of course , the Navy has more planes than the Airforce btw. What sense would it make to not have a force on what is some 75 percent of the planet ?

The most important job the USN ever had was to close a commercial sea lane Cuba-USSR

They didn't close a sea lane from the ussr to cuba they made a naval blockade of cuba to icolate them. But I get your point

And, apart from breaking the British naval blockade during the Revolutionary War, they didn't do badly in WWII (from 1942 onwards). Navies are useful during conventional wars, but need to be re-thought for the type of function that can be anticipated for future conflicts.