The Integrated Review – painful choices for the Royal Navy?
The Integrated Review is due to be published in March 2021. In the next few weeks, rumours of how the review will impact the forces are likely to circulate in the media. An unconfirmed report in the Daily Mail suggests some of the older frigates will be retired early. Here we consider some of the […]
How the Royal Navy monitors the Russian Navy sailing close to the UK
The number of Russian naval vessels passing close to the UK has climbed steadily in the last 10 years Although most of this activity is lawful and benign, the RN always deploys vessels to closely monitor these movements in the UK area of interest. Here we summarise this activity, its purpose and messaging.
Royal Navy submarines and non-acoustic sensor technology
The arrival of HMS Talent in Gibraltar in February fitted with additional sensors on her fin has raised the public awareness of non-acoustic submarine detection methods. Sonar remains the primary means of locating submarines but here we examine what is known about other technologies that may be used in the undersea battle to detect and […]
Are the Royal Navy’s aircraft carriers too big?
There is a school of thought that says the Queen Elizabeth class carriers are an ‘over-sized vanity project’ and there are regular complaints that RN should have built smaller ships. In this long-read we analyse the context of their development and the case for and against the procurement of large aircraft carriers.
The Royal Fleet Auxiliary in 2021
The ships of the Royal Fleet Auxiliary are a critical enabler for the Royal Navy, delivering logistic and operational support worldwide. Here we look at the status of the fleet and how it may be employed this year.
Royal Navy innovation and transformation
During the Surface Warships Conference 2021 (held online, 19-21 January) senior officers offered some insight into how the RN is working towards its vision for the future.
The Carrier Strike Group deployment – sending the right messages
For all the talk of HMS Queen Elizabeth’s warfighting capabilities, the fact remains that for the majority of her service life, she will be a tool of influence, not one of direct action. In this article, Tom Sharpe looks at how this deployment should be communicated so as to maximise its effect.
Putting the ‘strike’ in UK carrier strike – the SPEAR 3 stand-off weapon
On 6th January the MoD announced it had placed a contract for production of SPEAR-3 missiles which the RN described on its website as “the principal strike weapon” of the F-35 flying from the aircraft carriers. Here we look at this weapon and the timetable for its entry into service.
The all-rounder – the 30mm Automated Small Calibre Gun in focus
The 30mm Automated Small Calibre Gun is carried by the majority of vessels of the RN surface fleet. Here we look in detail at this ubiquitous weapon system.
