Why are no Royal Navy attack submarines at sea?
Through open-source observations, it is clear that none of the Royal Navy’s six commissioned SSNs are at sea at the time of writing. As part of normal maintenance cycles several boats could be expected to be in harbour but it is unusual for the entire force to be alongside.
MoD awards £1 Billion Royal Fleet Auxiliary ship support contracts
Today the MoD has announced the award of the Future In-Service Support (FISS) contracts worth a total of £1Bn to provide maintenance support for 17 vessels of the naval service. For the RN this is broadly good news, efficiently sustaining a large part of the fleet, strengthening shipyards while offering greater competition and diversity amongst […]
Reporting from the USS Harry S Truman as US Navy strike group visits the UK
Today the USS Harry S Truman, flagship of US Navy’s Carrier Strike Group 8 came to anchor in the Solent off Gosport for a 5-day visit. We went on board and were able to speak with senior officers about their mission and relationship with the Royal Navy.
Development of the Queen Elizabeth class aircraft carrier – a design history
In this article, we review how the design of the Queen Elizabeth Class (QEC) aircraft carriers evolved. This is a broad subject, worthy of several books but this article provides an overview.
Fast jets on deck. F-35 arrives on HMS Queen Elizabeth
In this photo and video essay, we look at the much-anticipated arrival of the first jets on board HMS Queen Elizabeth which took place this week.
Cutting more frigates? The Royal Navy facing a ‘perfect storm’
Last weekend Sunday Times carried an article highlighting the mounting pressures faced by the Royal Navy. The story quoted rather vague ‘defence sources’ but suggested the future of HMS Albion and Bulwark had been secured with two Type 23s frigates sacrificed instead. Here we examine this speculation and the growing range of issues confronting the […]
Hurricanes and Lightnings. HMS Queen Elizabeth Westlant 18 deployment – Part 2
HMS Queen Elizabeth arrived at Naval Sation Mayport, Florida 5th September for what was intended to be a brief visit. The arrival of Hurricane Florence in the Eastern Atlantic resulted in a considerable change to the programme and she remained in Mayport until the 13th September.
The future of Royal Navy mine hunting
The 13 Royal Navy mine countermeasures vessels (MCMV) that remain active are ageing ships but a series of ongoing incremental upgrades will ensure they are able to remain in service into the early 2030s. Here we examine some of the upgrades and a take an overview of the complex plans for the RN’s future mine […]
HMS Queen Elizabeth Westlant 18 deployment – Part 1
HMS Queen Elizabeth sailed from Portsmouth on the 18th August and arrived at Naval Sation Mayport, Florida for her first visit to the United States on 5th September. This photo and video essay documents the initial part of her Westlant 18 deployment.
