Same here. Having the ship as both a Heliport and a museum (Staffed by veterans IIRC) would be a great idea and would be the one i'd pick TBH. The Humanitarian ship idea is another great option.
Sinking the ship would be the utterly wrong option..... Give them a different ship to sink, just not a carrier.
I'd rather she become this proposed humanitarian ship before a reef off the Devon coast, although the most ignominious end for Ark Royal would be to see her cut into scrap, and end up as pots, pans, cans etc.
My honest preference would be to see her preserved as she is now, as a museum ship open to the public, but alas, I fear there's no funding or this.
Anyone want to buy a war-hardened Fleet Tanker?
http://www.edisposals.com/is-bin/INT...gAAAED8GeasfoP
How about the Longbow missile trials barge?
http://www.edisposals.com/is-bin/INT...mpTo=OfferList
http://www.edisposals.com/is-bin/INT...mpTo=OfferList
or the James caird
Article continued @ FlightglobalRAF Reapers enter 2012 on operational high
By: Craig Hoyle London
UK operations with the General Atomics Aeronautical Systems Reaper remotely piloted air system have taken on increased importance in Afghanistan, with the Royal Air Force routinely using the type for offensive tasks.
The RAF's Reapers flew more than 1,200 missions last year, according to an operational update issued by the service on 31 December. Assigned to its 39 Sqn and flown from Kandahar airfield, the aircraft supplied a combined 11,000h of full motion video footage during 2011, it added.
Article continued @ Aviation WeekWatchkeeper Misses Key Schedule Milestone
Jan 10, 2012
By Robert Wall wall@aviationweek.com
LONDON
The U.K.’s flagship unmanned aircraft program, the Thales Watchkeeper, has failed to meet its target for delivering the first air vehicles to troops in Afghanistan.
Watchkeeper is among the ongoing U.K. Defense Ministry procurements with the largest schedule delays, according to the National Audit Office. It was running more than a year behind schedule and also has come under scrutiny at the ministry.
Article continued @ Defense TechRebuilding the UK’s Carrier Fleet
As we mentioned they would last week, American Defense Secretary Leon Panetta and his British counterpart, Philip Hammond, signed an agreement last Thursday outlining how the U.S. Navy will help the Royal Navy rebuild its defunct carrier strike capability over the next decade.
From sister site DoDBuzz
Secretaries Panetta and Hammond signed a Statement of Intent on Carrier Cooperation and Maritime Power Projection that will serve as the framework for increased cooperation and interoperability on the use of aircraft carriers, as well as provide the basis for the U.S. to assist the UK Royal Navy in developing its next generation of aircraft carriers. This cooperation is a cutting-edge example of close allies working together in a time of fiscal austerity to deliver a capability needed to maintain our global military edge.
http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage...-cutbacks.html
looks like Puma could be for the chop or have they found significant engineering problems during the rebuild?
it is the Sun reporting this... but if it is accurate, what would be replacing them? More Merlins?
At worst nothing, At best the New Chinooks and in the middle refurbished Seaking HC6/HAR3. Or CHF seakings soldiering on with increased availability of spares and RAF keeping Merlin (probably best option till there is money available for a proper merlin amphibious assualt helecopter like the Italians already have!
Last edited by marktigger; 01-12-2012 at 04:42 AM.
RAF nominated for lesbian recruiter of the year award
http://www.mod.uk/DefenceInternet/De...eYearAward.htm
Probably too easy to be cynical about this but at least the RAF is moving with the times.
Wildcat, the Royal Navy's next-generation helicopter, begins sea trials with Iron Duke
http://www.navyrecognition.com/index...sk=view&id=282The successor to the trusty Lynx, which has served the Navy and the Army admirably since the 1970s, will spend the next month flying on and off HMS Iron Duke in the English Channel as part of its most extensive trials yet.
Wildcat is the next generation of light multi-role helicopter to serve both the Army and the Navy in the future. The Navy variant of the Wildcat will be the mainstay of helicopter operations from Royal Navy destroyers and frigates, with 28 ordered for the Fleet Air Arm.
RAF and AdlA Chiefs of Air Force Staff Meet
http://www.defense.gouv.fr/air/actus...KqANY4.twitterMonday, January 9, 2012, General Joël Martel, General Staff of the Air Force, and his British counterpart, General Simon Bryant and his delegation, visited the air base 113 of Saint-Dizier to meet staff and visit the fighter Squadron 1 / 7 "Provence".
[...]
The delegation then headed to the premises where a Rafale fighter jet in "Libya" configuration, in other words armed, was exposed. The staff of the ESTA (Engineering aircraft Support Squadron ) briefed to General Bryant the armaments onboard the Rafale used during Harmattan campaign.
The visit continued with the squadron of transformation, the ETR 2 / 92 "Aquitaine", where the British general had the opportunity to perform a mission in one of four simulators Rafale.
Article continued @ FlightglobalRAF to fly second-hand BAe 146s in Afghanistan
By: Craig Hoyle London
The UK Ministry of Defence plans to buy two used BAe 146s to supplement its air transport activities in Afghanistan, with the pair to be acquired and modified under an urgent operational requirement deal.
First details of the planned purchase emerged in late December, when the MoD issued a contract notification seeking expressions of interest from potential suppliers of two "BAe 146-200 series quick change aircraft". Sources said the deal could be valued at around £6 million ($9.3 million).
considering the MoD sold 2 BaE 146 a few years back 1 went to philipines & Indonesia
sounds like a stop gap measure.....
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