Six Archer class vessels have engaged HMS Queen Elizabeth and her Carrier Strike Group, simulating an assault by fast inshore attack craft.
HMS Puncher, HMS Biter, HMS Express, HMS Charger, HMS Archer and HMS Trumpeter faced off HMS Queen Elizabeth and her Carrier Strike Group.
The Archer class comprise sixteen P2000 Archer Class Fast Inshore Patrol Craft, according to the Royal Navy:
“Due to their unique ability to operate in ports and confined waters not traditionally accessible to other Warships, they can conduct several roles from Safeguarding Britain’s Nuclear fleet, Maritime Security, Force Protection, support to overseas NATO Operations, to supporting the training of the next generation of Warfare Officers.”
Half of Coastal Forces Squadron entering the Sound of Mull 🏴
We are here to support @HMSQNLZ and the rest of #CSG21
As “Red Forces” we simulate Fast Attack Craft 🥊💥@HMSPuncher @HMS_Biter @HMSExpress @HMSCharger @HMSArcher @HMSTrumpeter @smrmoorhouse @CdrJamieWells pic.twitter.com/cOQklFkHIf
— HMS Puncher (@HMSPuncher) May 11, 2021
The craft are attacking as ‘opposing forces’, darting around the Scottish islands to simulate attacks by fast inshore attack craft in order to train the Carrier Strike Group to defend against them.
A fast attack craft is typically a small, fast, agile and offensive combat vessel armed with anti-ship missiles, guns or torpedoes. FACs are usually operated in close proximity to land as they lack both the seakeeping and all-round defensive capabilities to survive in blue water. They are designed to ‘swarm’ enemy warships.
What an absolute jolly it must be to go out in a fast craft with no licence to attack an aircraft carrier with nobody shooting back. Love to have some more film.
“The Guns of Navarone”, springs to my mind……. Woop, woop … woop !
Who won?
I bet it wasn’t the Archers, there is only so much you can do with a gimpy against a 65,000 ton aircraft carrier.
Ahh but apart from Phalanx, that’s pretty much the only Difference…….. and I don’t think Phalanx can aim low enough so the GPMG’s would be evenly matched unless of coarse HMS Queen Elizabeth were carrying umpteen F35’s and Merlin’s and Wildcat’s but either way, it’s all just an exercise so nothing real will come of it……. not until a proper nasty war happens. 😐
I reckon four/six 30mm/Martlet combinations would do the job nicely.
Phalanx can can aim that low.
By the way want to know how do you depress phalanx? Just tell it its duty weekend and cant have leave…
😂Would Phalanx still get low enough if those small boats were almost alongside mate ?
No. For literally sweeping up and down the ships sides you use miniguns. They can point straight down, left and right.
Hopefully you are never in that position having battered everything well before that point
Do you think there will tell us the out come ?
Only with regard to the number of bangers expended. That’s as in mash not magazines. ‘Spect the URNU were toast.
Arent the Archer Class training vessels usually operated by University undergraduates in a form of naval Territorial Army? Im sure they really had a jolly though had to simulate quite hard as most of them dont have the 20mm gun anymore only carrying a heavy machine gun
Yes by the URNU.
Always “fitted for” but not actually fitted with 20mm. Most do not even have a GPMG…..
That would have been fun, why could I not have had that jolly when I was playing with Archer 20 years ago. Thats it I’m off to tell the world how unfair it all is.
Naah, good luck to the folks having a simulated fast boat attack on a carriers is what all skippers would love. I found the camaradery on small boats better than the big ships. Then again thats just me.
watched them berth in holyhead en route to joint warrior
Hi folks hope all is well.
Obviously all manor of exercise will take place. My concern is the use of mass attack by drone subs, armed with high quality explosives. This can’t be beyond a moderate military such as Iran. We know we have the technology to detect and destroy such craft, this would of course make it difficult for our personnel to keep pace in the heat of an exchange.
What is your views please.
Cheers,
George
Hi folks,
Sorry typo. Should be “manner”.
Cheers
George
When are the Archers up for replacement? I know the two at Gib are being replaced but no idea about the others.
Hello Flanders Pigeon Murderer, are you keeping well mate ? I used to Pluck Pheasants in my younger days …….. that was until our Pheasant Pluckers mates turned up early, not late. 😎
How will the carrier group fare with China’s undeclared navy ???
I suspect the boats were armed with ‘rockets’ and ‘missiles’ to simulate IRGC attacks, let’s be real here they are the only country that rely on this kind of tactic to harass larger warships. No doubt they will make an appearance to when CSG21 makes it way East.