They did use to use it. Particularly when BA was owned by the state.

They don’t rip out first class and reconfigure. They may book out the entire section, but they do not have to re-configure.

The interesting radar bits are all from the British division. I doubt if there is an Italian in sight...some of it is UK eyes only as well.

Something about the Giraffe on LCS?

They forgot that all of their marine GT’s were built in the Ukraine though...they have a big problem now, especially with spares. in reality they have neither the shipyard capacity or funds to replace half of what needs to be replaced. Especially in submaries. They’re already in block obsolescence and it’s only going…

He can’t deliver. The sanctions are in regard to Crimea. France would be persona non grata with a large swathe of Europe and the US.

Hopefully they’ve learned enough from the Italians and from the Vikrant to not get it wrong. If I’m honest it makes no sense to me to build another different design. Why did they not build 2 of the same type. Presumably there will be some cross-over between the systems on Vikrant and Vishal. But having 3 carriers of 3…

The French are reasonably competent. Even more so now they’ve ditched the conscription system. They also usually have a coherent doctrine and build their capabilities around that. Doesn’t always work, and sometimes they don’t have the best kit as a result of ‘not invented here’ syndrome, but it usually delivers. My…

I do remember when the idea of a European Army was being floated in the ‘90’s that the suggestion was that rather than each country having lots of different units, each country would contribute forces based on their strengths. The Germans would bein charge of tanks, the British in charge of Special Forces and…

Unfortunately, if it happens it will be a long way away. Probably it would make sense to soldier on with the CdG for the next 15 years and then plan a 2 ship build like the QE to replace the CdG slightly ahead of time, or when one of her expensive refuels is due. Unfortunately, that plan would negate some of the…

Fincantieri have been heavlly involved with the Vikrant. There has been a lot of speculation that given the size of the contract that was awarded to them that the design is essentially theirs.

The CdG seems to have had a lot of bad luck, but seems to have also suffered from a bad design. She took 7 years from completion to commissioning. She’s not spent a huge amount of time at sea or on ops, but instead has been tied up getting repairs and upgrades on a very frequent basis. The propellors have had to be…

The Vikraiditya certainly was challenging in the conversion, I do wonder if the Indian Navy would do it again after the massive cost increases and delays. I suspect not. If it had come in on time and budget you could have argued that design oddities like the island were acceptable given the cost. It’s the last time a…

Have you seen the size of the US escort fleet? You don’t have the numbers to have escort groups across the globe as a carrier switches between areas (and that doesn’t happen too often anyway). In a war who exacly is escorting the carrier as it transits? When was the last time a US carrier made a mad dash like that?…

A couple of reasons. Seperating Flyco and ship control is useful. Essentially the bridge is good forward, the flyco is better sited to the rear. A single island tends to be a compromise for one or both. But the main reason is for the uptakes for the gas turbines, the redundancy is just a bonus.

The America class might not. But it’s worth noting that the QE class will have a sortie rate that will match a Nimitz with more aircraft on board. One of the advantages of STOVL is much higher sortie rates.

AOR’s are pretty cheap. But nuclear carriers are no more capable than any other at staying at sea for long periods. It’s not the fuel that makes them return to base, it’s maintenance, and crew fatigue.

Your wish is my command...aircraft carrier size comparison..

The French plans for a second carrier (PA2) are as dead as can be, and have been for some years.

Your argument is one that is often used to justify nuclear powered carriers. Some of it is true. The arguments for nuclear powered submarines are pretty bullet proof. Nuclear power really does make a submarine a true submersible (AIP is not a true substitute). But the reasoning behind a nuclear powered carrier falls…