F35C is not cheaper than F35b, all the official estimates state it will be the same price.

The clue is the bit that says Estimate, i suspect the actual has probably changed somewhat which is why we see stories saying opting for the cheaper CATOBAR variant.
The Govt have a fair idea on the costs and they will be keeping that quiet, but it is a cause for concern.

Erm no its not, the US are looking at a manned bomber and a manned F-18 superbug replacement, we have PAK-FA and the operational development of that will be manned. When the program started to take shape that was the opinion, but the slow development of useful ucav’s and the shear ammount of computing thats required has dropped expectations somewhat as to what unmanned could and should perform.

We won’t really know what the intention is for Type 26, we’ll have to await what’s said in the SDSR and if its been postponed or cancelled. Part of the reason were likely to still get both carriers is because we had sod all else on the blocks ready to build that could have replaced them quickly in the shipyards thanks to the previous lot :confused:

The SDSR may well be reviewing how we currently use the Navy and therfore determine what sort of ships we will need to perform those duties, so the Type 26 might be postponned whilst we do something to replace the Type 22’s or something along those lines.

Yes much of the SDSR is about cut backs, and making better use of whats left or whats still on order, but there are still likley to be snippets of good news such as new orders as token baby carrots !. Maybe one of these will be for some form of GP frigate?

I suspect its just shock tactics by the Admirality to indicate how far they value getting the Carriers in comparrison with the rest of the surface fleet.

Afterall the Type 26 is due in a few years and no doubt they will push for a healthy number of those to make up numbers should they start culling more Type 23’s.

In the CVF Construction thread in the Naval Aviation section they have the a link to a Daily Mail article saying that the NSC have saved the Carriers but expect the Navy to make savings where possible in the program.

The net result appears to QE completed and go in to service to replace CVS, whilst PoW will complete and then go into reserve 2nd line role, which funnily enough is how the CVF fleet was supposed to be used in a similar fashion to the current CVS. No doubt once QE is in service and PoW is nearing completion they will try and steer things to build up the airgroup numbers to allow both to run full in times of need.

G

Yeap Swerve is right, the replemishment mission will actually be the primary task, but whilst there she will also double up to maintain a watch for pirates.

Not quite sure how that really fits with the CVF program however as its modular construction coupled with the CAD/CAM build methods means its probably not quite as relevant to maintain the build cycle these days as it used to be.

I suggested the 5th Vanguard to break up the replacement program, the problem at the moment is that is a £20 billion pound job lot to replace all four subs and thats something we just can’t afford to do at the moment, building a fifth would act a stopgap and have a new boat in place to replace Vanguard when she hits her use by date.

Well the Guardian report has the possibility of PoW being replaced by frigates in the shipyards but the PoW construction actually being put back to later in the decade when funding would be more favourable along with the airgroup to outfit it !. A bit different but also somewhat risky as Chancellors start looking at these things and and start asking if they really need it or if they can be deferred back a bit aka France with CdG and again with PA2.

Speaking of the French i noticed they have just completed their final SSBN, makes me wonder if we should consider ordering a 5th Vanguard class during this government updated with elements of the Astute and spread the trident replacement, can replace vanguard when completed and allow time for the new design and strategy to be agreed, whilst keeping Barrow skills in use and the deterent active.

G

Yeap although there has been no mention of any additional Helicopter orders as the press leaks and speculation is all cut orientated.

Howver if the rumours of cutting the Chinnok replacement and cancelling the Puma refit are true, we also know the Tories lambasted the previous governemnet about the helicopter shortfall, and the Lib Dems were in uproar by Brown solution as there was no tender process and not sure if the Puma upgrade involved Westlands or not.

I wouldn’t be surprised to see an order for AW-149 types as Puma and possibly ASR replacement as one of those token “honest it really is a strategy review rather than a cost cutting purge” statements. No doubt the Army will get something similar and whats the betting they buy those cancelled Trinidad OPV’s to complement the rivers.