MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency
The Queen commissions UK's new aircraft carrier HMS Queen Elizabeth
Queen Elizabeth II has commissioned the UK’s new aircraft carrier HMS Queen Elizabeth into the Royal Navy. The Queen spoke at a ceremony in Portsmouth’s naval base on Thursday morning, attended by Her Royal Highness Princess Anne, Defense Secretary Gavin Williamson and military chiefs. Read full article
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Disclaimer & comment rulesWhen’s it likely to be operational? Did I read up to six years before it has a full compliment of aircraft?
Dec 08th, 2017 - 10:08 am - Link - Report abuse 0We are waiting for American f35's I believe.Why we don't use our own is beyond me.
Dec 08th, 2017 - 11:29 am - Link - Report abuse -1Our own F-35's ? The Red Arrows have more Hawks than we have F-35's.
Dec 08th, 2017 - 12:34 pm - Link - Report abuse +1The first squadron have been allocated to the RAF's 617 squadron at Marham so they can phase out the Tornados. The Queen Elizabeth will require extensive testing of it's systems for handling aircraft, beginning with helicopters before it can operate this new aircraft.
An US Marines squadron will be embarked on the Q.E.'s first operational cruise.
@EscoSesDoidao. What is a full COMPLEMENT? The COMPLEMENT of aircraft will depend on operational requirements. If you look at US carriers, you may note that the air group joins AFTER the vessel has sailed and flies off before it reaches its home port. In addition, Royal Navy procedure is different to that of the US Navy. The Americans tend to keep a proportion of aircraft on the flight deck, whilst the Royal Navy tends to keep everything on the hangar deck until required.
Dec 08th, 2017 - 06:59 pm - Link - Report abuse 0@Clyde15. According to research, the Red Arrows have 10 Hawks. And reports elsewhere says that the UK has 13 F-35Bs. That, presumably, does not include the F-35Bs allocated to 17 Squadron at Edwards AFB.
When’s it likely to be operational? Did I read up to six years before it has a full compliment of aircraft?
Dec 08th, 2017 - 07:53 pm - Link - Report abuse 0Why do we need this offensive weapon? Is it just willy waving!
Dec 08th, 2017 - 08:17 pm - Link - Report abuse -1Conqueror, awsome you feel the need to shout at people about typos on an internet comments section that you yourself repeat. You rock.
Dec 09th, 2017 - 01:00 am - Link - Report abuse 0I take it you have never served in HM Forces? (given the way you express yourself regarding the UK military)
Unusually for me, I was being facetious on the subject of Hawks vs F-35's !
Dec 09th, 2017 - 10:40 am - Link - Report abuse +1According to the RAF/MOD web site we have received 9 aircraft, which presumably will be added to as time goes on.
The aircraft in the USA are for training and have been designated for 207 OCU Sqd.
They will move to Marham in 2019 and the first operational squadron 617 will return to Marham in late summer 2017.
How this ties in with the QE I don't know.
The question is why is this piece appearing in Mercopenguin, a British government propaganda organ supposedly devoted to America, South America and the “South Atlantic”?
Dec 13th, 2017 - 03:18 am - Link - Report abuse 0Commenting for this story is now closed.
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