Page 1 of 3

Ark Royal and Harriers to be Scrapped

Posted: 19 Oct 2010, 09:01
by Garry Russell

Re: Ark Royal and Harriers to be Scrapped

Posted: 19 Oct 2010, 09:26
by Trev Clark
Well, you cannot make an omelette (or two) without breaking eggs. The government obviously do not plan on invading any other country in the next 9 years! I think we4 should ask if India would want to buy it, they operate Harriers and (from memory) their carrier is a UK cast (e :lol: ) off from the 1950's.

Still have no idea why we need a replacement for Trident though, all the nuclear deterrants in the world did not stop 9/11. I suppose, without it, we will be booted off the top table at the UN and become a 'second rate' power!

Re: Ark Royal and Harriers to be Scrapped

Posted: 19 Oct 2010, 10:31
by jonesey2k
Says one of the new ones will be conventional. I wonder if that means they are binning JSF and are going for an off-the-shelf aircraft? Anyone know if the other new one will still be a helicopter carrier?

Re: Ark Royal and Harriers to be Scrapped

Posted: 19 Oct 2010, 10:35
by Garry Russell
The implication is that one or both will be modified............I take that to mean the remaining one, if not change will be exactly as designed.

Re: Ark Royal and Harriers to be Scrapped

Posted: 19 Oct 2010, 10:40
by DarrenL
HMS Prince of Wales will be refitted with cats & traps, HMS Queen Eliabeth will be for helicopters but immediately mothballed. Illustrious will operate helicopters.

I for one am glad to finally see the back of those dreadful through deck cruisers.

Re: Ark Royal and Harriers to be Scrapped

Posted: 19 Oct 2010, 12:24
by jonesey2k
They are probably saving Elizabeth for when Ocean goes out of service.

Re: Ark Royal and Harriers to be Scrapped

Posted: 19 Oct 2010, 14:56
by Chris Sykes
I think the Cat n Traps are so US, French and who ever else has Cat navy aircraft can operate from them... I can hear the faint ringing of Gripen NG aircraft being called instead of JSF??? Worth a look seen as its part BAe owned and built

Re: Ark Royal and Harriers to be Scrapped

Posted: 19 Oct 2010, 15:39
by jonesey2k
Perhaps, but they might end up throwing Typhoons off these carriers.
A ripe opportunity for another British Military procurement mystery.

Re: Ark Royal and Harriers to be Scrapped

Posted: 19 Oct 2010, 16:44
by gordon-in-aberdeen
Typhoons already have hooks on the bum, would it take much to mod the undercarriage for cat launching? :-#

Re: Ark Royal and Harriers to be Scrapped

Posted: 19 Oct 2010, 16:50
by DarrenL
Strengthening the undercarriage, then strengthening the airframe to take the load from the undercarriage, then changes elsewhere that are needed because of the extra weight being carried etc... more cost, only we would buy them so more cost because it won't be shared between the Eurofighter buying nations.

It'd be a lot cheaper to buy F/A-18 Super Hornets.

Although, as long as they haven't cut them all up to prevent Iran getting hold of spares Davis-Monthan has a field of F-14s not being used.

Top Gun 2 : The RN Story :lol: