That would be interesting to know? Yet, I would be surprised if something couldn’t be worked out. As the T-26’s are still sometime off and work could be spread around. Also, consider after the basic hull is completed. The Carrier would be floated out and the rest of the fitting out can be done elsewhere.

In short I doubt the UK Government and Ship Building Industries would past on building a third CVF. If, such an opportunity presented itself.

Yet, all of that is pure speculation as I don’t see India purchasing one anyways! 🙁 Why should the latter do something logical. When it can purchase a rusty old Russian Helicopter Cruiser instead. One that is 5 year past it delivery date and over a billion dollars over budget…..:rolleyes:

Whilst it would technically be possible to extend to a third carrier as long lead items are still being delivered meaning contracts could be extended there is not a chance it would happen! It was difficult enough politically getting just two, the light blue and green service chiefs would be up in arms! The treasury certainly wouldn’t release the funding and the defence budget just doesn’t have anything spare to allow procurement of a third carrier. Finally it is highly unlikely the Royal Navy would want a third hull as they can barely crew just one! QE and PoW will rotate as prime carrier. The majority of the active crew will swap between ships depending which one is prime with a skeleton crew left on-board the non active carrier.

Engage the silent drive! 😀

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lW18-2-QrIg

…we sail to Havana where the sun is warm and so is the Comradeship :diablo:

Rii
Not really. The airframes are on average, what, five years older than the F-15Cs USAF plans to keep operating till 2030? They don’t have to worry about cat/trap cycles like USN’s F-14s. The problems are sub-standard maintenance facilities and upgrade paths.

The Iranian maintenance facilities for the F14 are not sub-standard by any reasonable measure, they are a replication of Grumman’s manufacturing and maintenance facilities in the US. In the 70’s Iran paid America a vast sum to upgrade their local aerospace industry and install manufacturer grade maintenance facilities. It is one of reasons why Iran has been so able to keep its legacy US fleet running even with the post revolution purges.

This Grumman promotional documentary explains:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hfbz50gwsRM
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sVlrqv30o1k
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rWffHA6A1R4&list=PLB52A0DC8D621C046
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VIz9nt8cutw&list=PLB52A0DC8D621C046

The answer is in its speed and ceiling specifications! IT is also in what the primary target is intended to be.

Mach 5+
50000ft

This thing is designed to shoot straight up and get the missile up to altitude quickly. PAC-3 was almost entirely designed to intercept incoming SRBM and IRBM! Down range performance is not the important factor, shallower shot and this missile will a lot further then 12 miles.

PAC-3 was developed as part of the Extended Range Interceptor (ERINT) program and forms a component of the SDI Theatre Missile Defence initiative.

So taken with the memories of Wings of the Apache (Fire Birds) I purchased a copy off ebay! It arrived this morning and I am watching it now 😀

Forgot just how fun this film is, one curious thing my copy of the film in the 90’s was a recording off the BBC on VHS. I realise now watching the DVD the BBC cut all the swearing and any slightly smutty stuff! One scene the love interest played by Sean Young is trying to give a talk about the Kiowa Scout but being distracted by the Nicolas Cage character holding up a small whiteboard with the word “SEX” written on it :diablo: The BBC must of cut it as I don’t remember that.

Indeed! It shows supreme confidence in the production accuracy and project management of the different yards involved in the project. That cross sectional Super-blocks weighing thousands of tons built by different yards under different ownership all over the country can be matched up with little to no steel bashing at the integration yard is amazing!

They have to install a bit of stuff at the stern and the second island then she can be floated out to free the dry dock for PoW before the end of the year. She will have plenty of fitting out still to do but she should be going into initial contractor sea trials by the end of 2014 apparently.

Taiwan to study building own submarine fleet

Going on the report the solution in my eyes is for Taiwan to do the steel bashing whilst the US provides the critical systems that they would struggle to do like submarine fighting systems, sonars and torpedo launch tubes. The US could also provide the blue prints to the Barbel class as is. Considering the Dutch made Hai Lung class is based on the Barbel whilst I am not saying any new sub should be directly developed from the Barbel its design could help in Taiwan’s process of developing a new sub. Apparently the Barbel was very good so it could really help narrow down the process. With some judicious help from Electric Boat division in areas like hydrodynamics and propeller design it is probably the best way forward (maybe some sub contract build work as well doing difficult bits like the pressure domes).