I’m not sure there is any problem putting the VLS there except for maybe damage control i guess. C2 does not need any significant amount of space for troops a hull that large with a crew that small there would easily be space for another 50-60 without flexi containers and the RN probably has the 2nd largest amphibious capability in the world. Need to send any troops or aid just send a Bay class thats what they are for!

So in a case where there is a need for a small force of tens of troops, you’d propose deploying an amphibious transport? There are of course already spaces for such troops, but a boost to that would be useful especially for the C3 when in a patrol role. Look at the US LCS and you’ll see what I mean 😉

I doubt you’d fit two merlins in if you put a VLS there, plus it would be an absolute pain to work around the VLS cells depending on how they are fitted and the number of them.

If you fit a row of 8 cell VLS’s to each side of the hanger you can probably say goodbye to your two merlins. If you have one row on one side of the hanger you might have to start think about weight distribution issues.

Not only that, but the hangar will also likely end up needing support equipment for UAV’s too, all takes up space. Not sure what the VLS weight would be like, quad packed CAMM’s or Aster 30’s are going to be pretty heavy aswell as the weight of the VLS itself. There are plenty of better places to mount a VLS systems IMO.

I suggested a formula not a particular number. Mr Salmond would I’m sure make an opening gambit of 1970, but realisticly perhaps a percentage of revenue from 1999 (the formation of the current Scottish Parliament) would be worked out.

No, your taking a dream world principle and applying in a way that best suits Scotland, assuming the English will just cough up these vast sums (yea right!). Backdating of money/resources across the border (if done) would have to be calculated in all forms in both directions and if we date back to the formation of the union as would be the “proper” way to do it, then things wont be looking so rosy for Scotland. Understandably the SNP talk about these payments A LOT, because quite simply they need it to try and give some assurance to the Scotish people that Scotland will be financially viable on its own (that mixed with Scotish oil every other line), though they are clearly either very stupid or very ignorant or both. Oh and while we’re on the subject of ludicrous compensations, we’d like all the damage done by low quality Scotish politicians to be fixed by Scotland, equally when you leave the union you can take the remainder of them with you (they won’t be missed!).

Ultimately I think your error, and the SNP’s error, comes down to you forgetting that you are the ones leaving and much like with employment, if you resign you sure aren’t in a position to negotiate a redundancy payment for yourself too! Try that in a company and the boss will slap you so hard your ancestors will feel it.

Of which the vast majority sits withing what would be Scottish territiorial waters and is landed in Scotland.
With Scottish independance you do wonder why they would want to stay in London?

Because its a huge financial hub, because there’s no advantage to moving ect ect. Cost/benefit analysis would say “NO”.

Playing hardball is one thing, rightful share is quite another.

Oh ok, well so long as you understand that what the SNP feel is rightfully theirs and what they will actually be getting are two very different things.

The awarding of the CVF contracts was a blatent vote grab that hasn’t really worked given the number of previous contracts that Scottish shipyards had been snubbed over.
The fact remains though that the shipbuilders taxes along with all the rest of the Scottish population are making a contribution the the cost, and would rightly seek a reparation value.

That’s nice then, meanwhile in reality the Scotish yards will lose their workshare to English yards for the most part and Scotland still wont get any money from the rest of the union to prop up its bloating governement spending.

No I didn’t say Scotland would receive a huge cheque, what scotland would receive is market values for it’s share of unwanted hardware. whether that would be by cash, transfer of wanted hardware or other form of trading agreements or rebates.

Correction, what you feel Scotland deserves is the market value of the equipment. Getting is a whole different story.

I doubt they will divide the forces up by population and even less likely by financial contribution. The latter is incrdibly difficult to calculate, since you would have to weigh the relative contributions from each country for the years each item was paid for, then of course if your going to include oil/gas money, then of course all subsidies (direct and indirect) ever given to Scotland would have to be deducted too!

Simply put, the Scotish will be given enough forces to maintain the basics of their defence policy, so some rescue aircraft at minimum but the rest is debatable. If they want fast jets, they likely to only get around 2 squadrons, and I cant see the RAF letting them cherry pick the best aircraft, rather a mix of what there is but with the fewest different types possible. From the Scottish side, the government will have little interest in maintaining a real air force when they are trying to cover the vast black hole left from not having English financial support, rather they will try and wriggle some arrangement where England provides air defence for Scotland using England’s defence budget. Ultimately the “kit” isn’t where the Scotish government will feel it, base closures are, even if the personnel are relocated to England!

Regarding naval forces, they will likely want to find some work for their shipbuilding industry in the short term, so more likely than requesting a share of the existing naval forces they are likely to angle for a English funded class of OPV’s (built in Scotland) which will be used for fisheries patrol ect. If they go for a share, probably 2 frigates plus a few MCMV’s and OPV’s. Regarding the SSBN’s, they will all be relocated to Devonport, since they are useless without the warheads and SSN facilities all of which are in England!

Agreed, aviation capability is of primary importance for its patrol role be it a Merlin or a Lynx! Second to that I would put the capability to tackle low ASuM threats (e.g with Phalanx) and the capability to engage small to medium sized surface craft (20/30mm’s). This, IMO, should form the “core” capability of the C3! Larger ships can be engaged by the helicopter, though its unlikely to have to do so.

Yea the X32 is U.G.L.Y!

Going by this image it seems as if the Americans were trying to portray their airforce, navy and marine corps as being fat and ugly through this aircraft!

The A12 Avenger II looked nice from the front though!