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.
Save the Royal Navy is being re-branded as Navy Lookout
We are changing our name. This re-branding is to reflect a subtle change of direction. We are no longer a ‘campaign’ and the new name reflects a simpler focus on quality analysis and news.
UK Carrier Strike Group declares Initial Operating Capability
Today the RN formally declared IOC for the UK Carrier Strike Group which is now at ‘very high readiness’, available to deploy anywhere in the world at five days notice.
A year in review – the Royal Navy in 2020
2020 has been a memorable year for everyone, mainly for the wrong reasons but the Royal Navy has quietly triumphed in adversity. While existential threats continue to grow and the near term still looks difficult, the Naval Service can perhaps look forward more positively to the future than at the start of the year.
The Royal Navy – ready for a measured response to Brexit fishing issues?
With a no-deal Brexit looking a distinct possibility, conflict over fishing rights looks likely to create a complex enforcement challenge for the Royal Navy’s fishery protection vessels.
Progress on the Royal Navy’s Dreadnought class submarine programme
The first of Britain’s new nuclear deterrent submarines, HMS Dreadnought has now been under construction for over 4 years. Although still relatively early days and available information is inevitably limited, some further details of the boat’s design and progress on this vast project have emerged since our first article on the subject in 2017.
One of the reasons the Royal Navy needs two aircraft carriers – a setback for HMS Prince of Wales
While alongside in Portsmouth recently HMS Prince of Wales suffered at least one major internal flood incident causing damage to the high voltage electrical system that propels the ship. The Sun newspaper has now gone public with the story and it appears the ship will not sail until Spring 2021 at the earliest.
