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.
Maiden flight for Crowsnest – the Royal Navy’s eye in the sky
The regeneration of RN carrier strike capability took another small step forward on 28th March when a Merlin HM2 fitted with the Crowsnest Airborne Surveillance and Control (ASaC) system completed the first test flight from Yeovil Aerodrome. Here we examine progress on the Crowsnest project.
HMS Queen Elizabeth returns to her birth place for planned dry-docking
Here we report on the current progress of HMS Queen Elizabeth as she arrived in Rosyth for maintenance.
Up close: a Royal Navy night amphibious exercise with NATO partners
In this photo essay we witness an amphibious night raid conducted during the early phases of exercise Joint Warrior.
The Royal Navy and NATO continue to rehearse and evolve amphibious capability
The latest iteration of NATO multi-national exercise Joint Warrior is currently underway. We went aboard the RN Fleet Flagship, HMS Albion, at sea off the Scottish coast and spoke with the commanders of the amphibious phase of the exercise.
In focus – the MEKO A-200 Type 31e frigate candidate
The Atlas Elektronik UK bid for the Type 31e frigate programme is based on the MEKO A-200 frigate. Although perhaps seen as the outsider of the 3 candidates, the A-200 design has several unique and innovative features that make it a very credible contender for the Royal Navy’s requirements. Without going into the unknowns of […]
The Type 31e frigate candidates compared
This is a basic comparison of the three Type 31e frigate candidates using publicly available information. The consortiums are currently in the Competitive Design Phase, refining these concepts before the winner is selected in late 2019.
Has the Royal Navy solved its manpower problems?
In bullish mood last week, the First Sea Lord told the Portsmouth News “we are through with relegating frigates and destroyers to training vessels due to a shortage of sailors”. This is an encouraging sign and here we examine the context and true extent of the improvement in RN personnel numbers.
The Royal Navy’s oldest frigate completes a memorable global deployment
Type 23 frigate, HMS Argyll returned home to a warm welcome today after 9 months in the Gulf and Far East, having sailed 37,329 nautical miles. Selected highlights are covered in this photo and video essay.
