The second of the UK’s new aircraft carriers, HMS Prince of Wales, has sailed for sea trials.
This first phase of sea trials will look at platform stability and manoeuvrability.
At present, the ship’s company (around 600 people say the Royal Navy) are focusing on a successful spell of sea trials, having prepared for months, gradually bringing the many systems, sensors and items of machinery from the galley to the main engines into life.
They are joined for the trials by a team of 320 civilian contractors.
Captain Darren Houston, HMS Prince of Wales’ Commanding Officer, said in a release:
“I am immensely proud of the professionalism and determination that my ship’s company have shown in preparing themselves and their ship for this historic day. Whether through working alongside our industrial partners to support the build and commissioning of key systems or training tirelessly to operate the ship and work as a team, the crew have demonstrated unfaltering dedication and resolve in the face of a multitude of challenges.
We are looking forward to sea trials and the opportunity to test our new ship before heading to our new home base of Portsmouth to join our sister ship.”
Following her sea trials HMS Prince of Wales will sail for her Portsmouth where she is due to be formally commissioned in the presence of her Lady Sponsor, the Duchess of Cornwall, before the end of the year.
I remember reading here (a couple of years back) an announcement that HMS POW would receive some modifications to enable her to carry 900 embarked troops (considerably more than HMS Ocean), and that these would be applied retroactively to QNLZ during a refit. Does anyone know if this was done, and, if so, what the changes involve? https://ukdefencejournal.org.uk/new-carriers-to-host-more-assault-troops-than-hms-ocean/
No. It hasn’t. The ship has been built to the same contract spec as R08 bar the addition of the Bedford array. LPH changes will come later.
Yeah they’ve widened the access corridors to the flight decks for troops and, I think, have some extra accom. Not a great move since if it is an amphibious platform it isn’t in it’s primary role as a Fleet Carrier. The best solution would be to replace Ocean, Albion and Bulwark with 2 Canberra class LHDs.
Won’t happen though.
Canberra Class?
Why?
Trieste is the new benchmark. Same engines as QE Class and twin island, larger and more capable than Canberra Class can ever be.
4 reasons.
1. Commonality with our Aussie friends. They’re getting T26 so perhaps we could do a deal – economies of scale and all that.
2. Canberra’s have capacity for 1000 troops, 4 LCUs, 8-16 helicopters and could be adapted for direct support F35 ops.
3. Don’t need 3. Rule of 3 goes out the window for amph ops. We only need them when we need them. Together with the Bays they would be more than enough to put 3 Bde ashore.
4. Relatively cheap compared to other options. Money is an issue.
1) – Canberra Class is a Navantia design and build (the hull was built in Spain and shipped to Australia for fit out only) – We’d be dealing with the Spanish not the Australians. 2) – Trieste is far more capable as an F-35 platform, higher top speed and better aviation capabilities. 3) – Agreed we’ll get no more than 2. But in addition to the Bays, Point Class and 2 x LSS its a very good amphib capability. Add in an Argus replacement and its good. 4) Trieste was $1.2bn, the Canberra Class are $1.5bn. Add in that the… Read more »
Agree with Rudeboy Trieste class is Europe’s best LPH design and would be a good fit alongside our fleet carriers. I would not like to ever see POW used in LPH role. It would be madness sending a £3.5 billion strike carrier close inshore to conduct airborne assault role.
No,,,,If you say 2 vessels then it wont work because of the rule of 3 …
Still having a carp day at work!
Have you gone fishing?
Hehehe
Or build LPHs, LPDs and replenishment tankers all on the same hull plan that will be used in the next few years for the three fast tankers replacements. Cuts costs massively and secures work for shipbuilding
Great to see POW going out to sea. There has been much discussion (on this site) about whether there would be enough man (and woman) power to man the ship. But it looks like they have conjured up 600 souls already. Great stuff! ‘Good sailing’ POW!
Dont forget the
300 civilians on board !
Sorry, should have clarified… ‘‘At present, the ship’s company (around 600 people say the Royal Navy)’… ‘are joined for the trials by a team of 320 civilian contractors.’
Oh no… the mast is bent…
It doesn’t have a CIWS fitted…
Where are the aircraft…
Sorry …having a carp day in in work….
That’s what comes of goings backwards under a bridge! Is that part of the sea trials?
Sounds very fishy lol
https://www.savetheroyalnavy.org/more-details-of-the-royal-navys-type-31-frigate-emerge/
bit off topic but still RN. If this is true then I believe it is appropriately armed for its role.
Other than i would add (for near term) cannister brimstone (or atcleast swap out for 1 x 40mm)
Deal with FAC at range quickly, allow swarm attack on larger er vessels, allow precision attack of onshore radar and missile facilities. Relatively low cost and help export drive of both type 31 and Brimstone.
P
I wonder how many of you thought that we would never get to this stage? The Navy with bloody great flat tops again!!
Well I didn’t and all despite Brexit (sorry I just couldn’t help myself).
Just remember Rob…they were ordered by a Labour administration!
I forgot about that. New Labour mind, not the current crop. I remember voting for TB in my first general election in 1997 – those hopeful days seem a distant memory!
I agree, very hopeful times indeed. Even if the adoring crowds at the entrance to Downing St had been orchestrated by Alistair Campbell!
I didn’t know that – takes the gloss off somewhat but still heady days.
I know, felt a bit upset by that myself when I found out. The kings of spin…spun themselves out of power!
Balls…it was an international banking crisis!
More balls…even Thatcher was talking to the IRA…during and after the Brighton bombing.
Thatcher was PM, she had to. Corbyn was not PM, and therefore had no need. Simple realy, no matter what justification.
Peace in Ireland is a matter for all elected British and Irish politicians. As is every other issue affecting the people of this country. So Corbyn isn’t PM…therefore he should take no interest in the NHS, the economy, unemployment, international relations etc etc. The only thing simple about it is your one-eyed interpretation!
Total garbage, and if you think he is right to justify the IRAs methods and reasoning, which he has, then you are pretty sad, and again try to stick to the subject, his talking and arse licking to the IRA gangsters, not go off on a typical lefty tangent and ignore/justify/excuse what you don’t like being spoken about.
“not go off on a typical lefty tangent and ignore/justify/excuse what you don’t like being spoken about.” Is there a ‘typical’ ‘righty’ tangent ? Just asking for the sake of balance. Right and Left is a distraction in our politics, I accept its where we are and its not going to change any time soon if at all but there’s no need to paint yourself into a corner, I used to do it myself, pick a side, but why ? Things change, I can’t help but think some people have replaced religion with politics as something to be dogmatic about… Read more »
I dont do corners, I go with policies, not out of date blind allegiance. I voted Labour in 1997, have voted Tory, and in local elections voted for our local Lib Dem councilor on a number of occasions, as he understood the needs and issues of a military community. I dislike the lickspittle, toadying and self righteous attitude of many on the left. Corbyn is just an old figurehead, a back bench protester who would support a dog turd if it disliked this county, it’s institutions and history. He is just a means to an end for the more dangerous… Read more »
I’m no fan of Corbyn, far from it but he’s just as opportunistic as BoJo and a load of others in Westminster. Party politics has blindsided them, or at least they play to it for their own selfish ends, probably both.
I’ll not delve into your hyperbole about Corbyn, amusing as it is, as I say, he’s no different to the rest, just coming from a different angle.
It’s not hyperbole as it’s not an exaggeration, it’s factual and can be confirmed with even a basic bit of observation and enquiring.
I’m sticking with hyperbole, “support a dog turd…. etc”. When talking about politics this stuff doesn’t help, it just polarises the debate and cranks up the rhetoric giving someone on the other side of the argument the go ahead to be equally shitty back and so it goes on.
Andy P, the majority of the country has gone to this immature way of thinking that one side is right the other is wrong.
It appears that the art of discussion and compromise has deserted the popular narrative.
One only has to read some of these forums to see that some people believe they have to win a meaningless arguement rather than hear an alternative point of view.
Thanks for being a voice of reason.
I think it’s a combination of the internet making it easier when you don’t have to look someone in the eye as you’re telling them they’re an idiot or whatever and our ‘betters’ in parliament don’t exactly help. They’re constantly taking cheap shots at each other and making out they’re being noble about things.
I agree it’s all a bit saddening and doesn’t add to debate. It just lets people get their rant on.
It has always been polarized, and the last 3 years has just proven how much, and our disgraceful MPs behavior and antics goes to show the absolute disdain they hold the electorate in.
Yup, life is easy when its black or white, good or bad but that’s not real life despite all attempts to make it so. I agree that our MP’s have shown more concern for themselves than the electorate, 3 years to get Brexit sorted and some are moaning that they’re losing a week… BoJo, Reece Mogg etc trying to scupper May’s deal because they preferred their own version only for some like Reece Mogg to change his mind at the last minute… As I posted elsewhere, Corbyn spitting his dummy out and not meeting Trump, its not about you Jezzer,… Read more »
Damn good post, now I’m depressed mate lol! And with our system of first past the post, in regard to general elections, the number of MPs can be disproportionately representing a very low number of voters, but that’s another issue to get depressed about! Lib Dems wanted that changed but I’m sure they have changed their minds on that as well as everything else, depending on the direction of the wind! Time for a brandy……..
The first past the post system allowing a party control on about 40% of the vote is why (even though I voted remain in the referendum) I’m so hacked off that parliament have tried to hamper Brexit. Its not often we get a yes/no vote that gives a clear (albeit not massive) majority but they’re happy enough to call the shots on a majority of MP’s as opposed to a majority in the country.Even that gets ‘tweaked’ from time to time to suit too. Aye, it seems the Lib Dems are now happy to go with the flow, seeing as… Read more »
The only good thing about all this chuff is that it has got a lot of people to sit up and take notice about politics! However it may also confirm, what many of us already know, is that we are here to be used, abused and then ignored by our so called elected reps, if our needs and demands don’t meet with theirs! Although today in parliament was most amusing, listening to the attorney general, who seems like a bit of an attack dog when he needs to be!
And im waffling politics to you, but im the first to moan at others for raising politics flags on here! Although I am aware politics and the military, and the military industry are irrevocably linked! But I do try to keep it to the subject matter, but alas, I have failed!
Aye, we’ve drifted well off the military reservation recently, in this thread anyway its gone mostly politics. I guess now more than usual it will come to the surface.
I’ll shut my pie hole on it.
I should do so as well……….
Don’t worry, I think Corbyn is more concerned about Tom Watson nowadays mate. I mean, deputy leader, ah, they don’t want that, they just want a “dear leader”.
Don’t disagree with any of that. I was merely referring to the optimism of the time. Didn’t work out too well in the end!
However it was n’t a Labour administration that paid for them. Plus ca change!
That was down to the electorate! I am sure that Gordon would have loved to have been still in power to pick up the tab! But, let us not forget, it was ‘Porky’ Cameron that wanted to cancel them but was told that it would actually cost more. Don’t you just love the selective memory’s of tabloid press readers?
Absolutely, Labour are responsible for every misfortune anyone has ever suffered! You didn’t play the Colonel in Apocalypse Now by any chance?
Good to see her Sail, together we will have the second best carrier battle group on earth and after the type 26 is built the most modern on earth. I can’t wait to see two type 45s two type 23s one astute two RFA and HMS QE sail on her first task, and I gather Nato ships will Join.
Will be interested to see the first time they sail by together.
Glad we’ve reached this milestone. Can:t help but think they’re going to be needed
The mind boggles as to how you turn molten metal into a fully functioning complex warship like the PoW. A truly fantastic achievement by all involved.
Awesome news. Bloody well done to the Ship’s company and aircraft carrier alliance. It will be awe inspiring to see the two carriers moored alongside in Portsmouth as you drive along the M27. Ok, here’s a thought. The T31 is possibly getting the 57mm as it’s main gun. It can do AAW, CIWs, surface engagements and has a limited capacity for NGFS. So it’s a useful multi-purpose weapon. How about replacing the carrier’s Phalanx or DS30s with this system? It would significantly push out the engagement range over both of these weapon systems. If each mount could be given an… Read more »
The 57mm needs deck penetration with the magazine below, so it wouldn’t fit on the sponsons. The DS30s will have Martlet fitted which will increase their lethality.
There’s an option to have the 57mm sit on a pedestal magazine, granted this would limit the amount of ammunition immediately available.
The BAE Systems brochure implies that this arrangement only has 120 rounds available in the turret, although that should give more engagement opportunities before reloading than the 1550 rounds on a Phalanx mount. But we have a number of Phalanx systems already, with no money to replace them.
The DS30s may have Martlet fitted, but not all the mounts are compatible. Gunbuster can explain better than anyone else but I got the distinct impression that not all the DS30s will get it.
The real aim would be finding a way to fit martlet onto the 57mm turret body, that’ll really mess with someone’s day.
Does Martlet need to be fitted to a gun? Could it simply have its own mount based, for example, on the DS30s? With out the gun, more than 5 martlet could be carried per mount.
Bob2 (realised there was another bob)
Not a fan of major warships using 57mm as their main gun. NGS is needed so either 5″ to keep 1 system for maintainance/supply economies or 76mm OTO Melero as the minimum required & then not so effective for NGS. But I want to see the QEs getting at least a short range SAM system(Sea Ceptor would be ideal, but RAM would extend the range at which ASMs could be engaged) given such a tiny escort pool & the level of ASM threats today & for the future. Also any escort can soon be reduced by enemy action ordetached to… Read more »
For a moment i thought it was Admiral kuznetsov, with all those tugs around her ?! Let’s we what the tabloids say about another empty flight deck, easy bit of story recycling for them methinks. I still think we are a bit top heavy with 2 Carriers and limited escorts. It would seem the T31 may become a credible warship, second batch to ordered I hope.
Evening mate. A second batch is essential to allow the T45 & T26 to prioritise the defence of these and the ARG.
But over additional 1st line escort assets ( which of course is fantasy ) I’d take more Merlin HM2.
The Merlin has certainly morphed into the world’s best ASW heli out there, and it is criminal that there are/were 10 non upgraded examples being stripped for parts, laying about. The type 23/Merlin combo, best ASW capability (apart form Astute) out there mate.
So I read.
Well I’m glad that’s over. I’m big enough to admit that it scared the cr*p out of me when the QE had to squeeze under that bridge knowing the clearances involved even with the tide just right. I really wasn’t looking forward to having to hold my breath again as PoW did it. I know these guys are professionals and it’s all calculated very carefully but even so it must be real white-knuckle time on the bridge as they’re approaching and passing through. Congratulations to all involved. I can breathe easier again now.