RFA crew shortage as well as a Rear Admiral shortage....

[FD2]

Praying that it is anything other than equipment failure that has delayed the sailing.

[Pinky the pilot]

Don't know why we don't just use our long range bomber fleet.................

Wot? Are they bringing back the Vulcans?

Maggie would have been furious!

Can anyone else hear a very high pitched spinning sound?

[CharlieOneSix]

No official statement about the delay but PoW is on her way at last....fingers crossed. Why no 'Procedure Alpha'?

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-h ... e-68274511

[FD2]

Maybe they are all just so tired after all the rushing around and needed a good lie down and rest.

It looked very odd with nothing apart from a helicopter on deck and no one, even in No 8s or whatever those overalls are called, even in sight.

I hope the ship keeps going long enough to complete whatever her mission is.

[CharlieOneSix]

Now here's a proper Procedure Alpha - HMS Victorious circa 1962. It had the experimental bridle catcher on the port cat which was removed after one commission.

HMS Victorious .jpg (67.96 KiB) Viewed 634 times

[Boac]

The EU are sending a maritime 'force' to protect shipping in the Gulf. Should we send a carrier?

[Fox3WheresMyBanana]

To do what, exactly?

The Houthis have been at it for 20 years, 10 with the Saudis involved, and there's over a third of a million dead (UN estimate).
They have more cheap attack missiles and drones than the maritime force has very expensive SAMs and bombs.

The West hasn't had the courage to do anything but make token efforts against symptoms rather than causes, for 25 years, against ANY world problem. Total success: zero, at ruinous expense.

Another ship damaged today, crew have reportedly parked it and scarpered. Belize-registered.

[Boac]

er - dat were a joke. Where have you been?

[FD2]

The EU are sending a maritime 'force' to protect shipping in the Gulf. Should we send a carrier?

It could be this bold prime minister's 'Thatcher Moment' when he declares victory over the Houthis but I have my doubts. The Saudis have been attacking them with little effect for years and as Boac knows the carriers are under-equipped in terms of F35s. Even with both - yes 'both' squadrons(!) - embarked they would make little difference.

Would they shoot down incoming drones and surface to surface missiles? Would they attack missile launching pads which are much better taken out by cruise missiles. The UK can't even do that with the only cruise missile systems fitted in the attack boats, as the SSNs are stuck in port for various reasons. I think that the cruise missile are also due to be withdrawn from service before long as well.

It will be interesting to see what the EU can cobble together to counter the threat to shipping.

Altogether much money spent on defence for very little return. A complete balls up to put it politely or an (unfunny) joke, as Boac has said..

[Fox3WheresMyBanana]

er - dat were a joke. Where have you been?

Sorry, very busy doing awkward stuff in the cold. I'm not in the best of humours.

[Boac]

He/She has now embarked most of our F-35 force

[FD2]

I've read eight of them - I wonder how many are operational and crewed ashore in the other squadron (809). They might need to put GPS trackers on them in a ship that size but no doubt the Merlins will take up a lot of room.

Good luck to the lads and lasses and any others that are at sea on this exercise - I'm sure they will do their best with the equipment they have.

[FD2]

Sadly, journos heaping more ignominy on the Navy, Vanguard has a Trident misfire in the range off Florida. All the SSBNs fire a dummy missile as part of their return to service from HMS Resolution onwards. Vanguard recently returned to sea after a refit which took 7 years in Devonport when it was scheduled to take 3. The delay has played havoc with the scheduling and I suspect was in part responsible for Vigilant staying at sea for twice as long as she should have on her last patrol. The Peace Dividend in action.

Vigilant Returns.png (229.46 KiB) Viewed 436 times

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2024/0 ... -misfires/


British nuclear missile 'misfires and crashes into ocean'

Ministry of Defence said an 'anomaly' occurred during the test but refused to provide further details on the grounds of national security
Telegraph Reporters 21 February 2024

Trident.png (263.86 KiB) Viewed 436 times

A missile firing from HMS Vigilant, which fired an unarmed Trident II (D5) ballistic missile, in 2021


A Trident nuclear missile misfired and crashed into the ocean near the submarine that launched it during a test last month, it has been reported.

It is the second misfire in a row, with a test launch of a Trident missile by the Royal Navy off the coast of the US in June 2016 also reported to have been a failure.

The missile’s first stage boosters did not ignite during a test launch by HMS Vanguard on January 30, and it fell into the ocean and sank, the Sun reported.

An anonymous source quoted by The Sun said: “It left the submarine but it just went plop, right next to them.”

The Ministry of Defence confirmed an “anomaly” that was “event specific” occurred during the test off the coast of Florida, but refused to provide further information on the grounds of national security.

It is said to be the second misfiring in a row, with a test launch of a Trident missile by the Royal Navy off the coast of the US in June 2016 also reported to have been a failure.

'Plop' - person embracing second childhood

[G-CPTN]

A bit of a damp squib? - out of date firework . . .

[Boac]

"What!? - You are supposed to remove THAT safety plug before launch?""

[Boac]

Mind you, with Michael Green on board, anything could go wrong...................

[Woody]

Mind you, with Michael Green on board, anything could go wrong...................

A Trident missile has misfired and crashed into the ocean just yards from the British nuclear submarine that launched it.  When asked to confirm that the warhead test involved a dummy, the MoD were forced to admit yes, Grant Shapps was onboard

[CharlieOneSix]

He/She has now embarked most of our F-35 force

I've read eight of them - I wonder how many are operational and crewed ashore in the other squadron (809). They might need to put GPS trackers on them in a ship that size but no doubt the Merlins will take up a lot of room.

Good luck to the lads and lasses and any others that are at sea on this exercise - I'm sure they will do their best with the equipment they have.

Royal Navy MoD press release

No mention of how many F-35 aircraft have been deployed...Hmm . They do however declare the number of helicopters...11.

[FD2]

No mention of how many F-35 aircraft have been deployed...Hmm .

'Wings' says: “I’m really excited to see the F-35B jets of 617 Squadron embark in HMS Prince of Wales, the first time we have seen this squadron onboard, and the most F-35B jets we have operated at one time.” Not much of a clue there then.

I'd love to have been a fly on the bulkhead when the missile dropped in the sea and Shapps and the First Sea Lord had a debrief...

[Boac]

The most appropriate thread I could find for this, from a friend