Britain:Two Carriers, No Aircraft; May I Borrow an F/A-18?

[Iterate]

Run time: 07:05 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H6h8i8wrajA   Posted on YouTube: October 22, 2007 By YouTube Member: SUNIVAG Views on YouTube: 285446   Posted on DU: September 01, 2010 By DU Member: Iterate Views on DU: 385

 
Originally posted some time ago, but even more relevant today.

The U.K announced yesterday that it will seek to borrow F/A-18 and V-22 aircraft from the US for use with its two new Queen Elizabeth class carriers, at least until they have delivery of the F-35 and can refit the carriers for those aircraft. So how do you end up with carriers and no planes for them? Well, it's complicated, so maybe it's best to hear the story from Bird & Fortune.

Bird & Fortune The Admirals Interview

[FBaggins]

1. Either way, it's a substantial upgrade from their current capabilities.

These two carriers are a big step up from their current carriers.

It will be interesting to see how the Super Hornets do with a ramp. The nose gear should be strong enough, I don't know whether anyone planned for this option. They're obviously going to have to fit arrestor gear (which the ship was designed to carry), but they may have to change their mind a switch from a Harrier-type ramp forward to a catapult.

Three to four dozen Super Hornets make this a very capable design. The eventual switch to F-35s is yet another leap forward.

[Iterate]

2. Bird & Fortune are a comedy duo. It's a satire.

of one of the worst military procurement decisions of the past 60 years. They can't come close to being able to afford it, doesn't seem well thought out, and was nursed along just to keep the 10,000 jobs in Scotland, something which must have cost them many times that in other layoffs. They have sold it to the public based on naval pride, it's ability to function well in the Jutland or the Falklands War, and of all things, the suggestion that if they can't have it, maybe they could save money by sharing a carrier force with France. They had other, more reasonable options, and are struggling to even keep their Trident submarines afloat(though knows why) while providing enough body armor for their troops. In the mean time, it's austerity for the public, and as one admiral put it "defence is not a discretionary spending item even for impoverished coalitions."

Beyond that, I don't like to be too quickly critical of another nation's internal decisions. This satire actually says as much about our own military procurement and social priorities as it does theirs.

[FBaggins]

3. Sorry... I can't see YouTube at work

I just knew about the temporary need for something to fill the gap until the 35s are available and found the subject interesting.

[Iterate]

4. I should have labeled it better.

I agree with you though, at this point I wish they'd just go with the F/A-18 and be done with it. I have quite a few friends from the UK and worry some about their families -austerity seems to be the tune there as well(except the military). Just plain stupid.

On top of that, their outsourcing of merchant shipping is leading to the de-skilling of an entire generation merchant sailors -and they may loose the ability to recover from it. "Don't eat the seed corn."