Big Lizzie Is Coming...

[[2068]]

Try reading this https://ukdefencejournal.org.uk/yes-hms-queen-elizabeth-aircraft/ , it's a reasonable summary, it's a pity that the BBC breakfast (amongst others) sofa based commentators hadn't done even some basic research.

That article is interesting in that it explains what we will have, eventually.
But it's very vague as to what will happen in 2018-2019.

"initial operating capability numbers in 2020 are going to be very modest indeed" is a bit of an understatement.

If you were a foreign power and wanted to invade somewhere, 2018 would be a good year to do it.
"Ah, sorry chaps, do you think you could possibly hold off invading until 2023 when we will be at full strength"

The bottleneck is the build rate of the incredibly complex Lockheed Martin F35.

.

 

[Blue Sunray]

That article is interesting in that it explains what we will have, eventually.
But it's very vague as to what will happen in 2018-2019.

Pretty much the same as 2010-2017 would, I think, be a fair assumption.

"initial operating capability numbers in 2020 are going to be very modest indeed" is a bit of an understatement.

If you a foreign power and wanted to invade somewhere, 2018 would be a good year to do it.
"Ah, sorry chaps, can you hold off until 2023 when we are at full strength"

Well, since most of my foreign trips in recent years have been a result of domestic powers invading somewhere I don't see that as necessarily a problem.

The bottleneck is the build rate of the incredibly complex Lockheed Martin F35.

I'm afraid that it you want a warbird effective against any sort of enemy armed with much more than sharpened mangoes complexity is part of the deal.

 

[[2068]]

I thought this was an interesting quote. I guess we should substitute "Typhoon" for "F22" below.

"Where an F-35 is going to win is where all Air Forces want to win, with the other guys aircraft on the ground. It's main goal is to fight in a whole new way. It's going to use its low observable capabilities (there is no "stealth") to get close, spoof enemy integrated air defense systems, and blow up missile sites and aircraft before it's ever detected.

Thinking about modern aircraft dog fights kinetically is old school and not going to win you a fight. You can not out-turn or out-run a modern integrated air defense system, and that is the bigger threat than enemy aircraft. So you have to be low observable, you have to have a flying integrated network, you have to have numerous, internally carried, smart munitions to maintain your low observability. If you don't have those it doesn't matter, you're not going to beat or survive an engagement with a modern military.

Regarding the development of the F-35, if you compare it flying-wise it is doing far better than either the F-15 or F-16 in the physics and reliability of flight; during equivalent progression levels of test and development. It is having some setbacks with the software, and helmet. But, most of the helmet issues have been resolved, and software is progressing as well.

Finally, the F-35 is not intended to be an air superiority fighter. That is the F-22. And nothing is going to be able to go toe to toe with the F-22 and survive for quite a while. And regardless of what the Chinese or Russians have on paper your looking at a true 5th generation aircraft that has been fully operational for eight to 10 years now. So you have all the training and doctrine of how to use the most capable and lethal aircraft ever built for that time frame.

So an F-35 only really has the potential of getting in a dog fight if the F-22 runs out of missiles shooting all the bad guys without ever being seen."

 

[capnsensible]

The 318th rear section for an F-35 Lightning II jet has rolled off the BAE Systems production line in Samlesbury, Lancashire meaning that 10% of the global requirement has now been produced.

The aft fuselage is the back part of the aircraft’s main body and with more than 3,000 aircraft currently on order it is estimated that 25,000 jobs will be sustained across the UK by more than 500 companies in the supply chain when at peak production.



The rear section has now transferred from BAE Systems’ advanced manufacturing suite to Lockheed Martin’s Final Assembly and Check Out line in Fort Worth, Texas to be connected with other major assemblies to become one of three aircraft variants.

The 318th aft fuselage in particular will form part of a UK ‘B’ model variant of the jet.

This variant has the short take-off and vertical landing capability which makes it ideal for Britain’s new Queen Elizabeth Class (QEC) aircraft carriers.

F-35B jets are on track to make their first flight trials from her deck next year.

Minister for Defence Procurement Harriett Baldwin, said:

“This is an important milestone and the latest example of how the F-35 programme is BENEFITING the UK’s defence industry, creating thousands of jobs and helping to keep Britain safer and more secure.

Britain is a leading partner in the development of the F-35, supporting not just the aircraft that will operate from RAF Marham and our two new Queen Elizabeth Class aircraft carriers, but also the thousands of jets that will serve our allies around the world.”

There you go, beats a wild ass guess.

 

[Martin_J]

Did I miss some news? Looks like she had now left Portsmouth for more sea trials and handover to the navy later this year...

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-hampshire-41804502

And direct from Navy News
https://www.royalnavy.mod.uk/news-and-latest-activity/news/2017/october/30/171030-hms-queen-elizabeth-leaves-portsmouth-for-sea-trials

Apologies if I just missed her leaving (and if this is old news to the forum)... After having been in Old Portsmouth to watch her arrive.