Non slip paint on HMS Illustrious = reprieve for UK Harriers?

Scottish newspaper The Scotsman is reporting that non-slip paint that allow jet operations is being applied to the flight deck of the HMS Illustrious, currently undergoing refit to operate as a helicopter carrier. This has further fueled speculation that the RAF's Harrier fleet might be pulled out from retirement.

Thales lightweight multi-role missiles to equip Lynx Wildcat

In a recent announcement, Thales UK has secured an order for its lightweight multi-role missile (LMM) to equip the UK Royal Navy's AgustaWestland Lynx Wildcat helicopters. The modular design of the missile is intended to permit the future development and introduction of alternative warheads and seekers.

HMS Ark Royal put up for sale

For sale: Used aircraft carrier, one careful owner, 621,551 nautical miles on the odo. The UK Ministry of Defence has put the HMS Ark Royal up for sale, and individuals and organizations interested in purchasing the former flagship of the Royal Navy have to submit their proposals for the ship to the MoD for approval.

UK obligated to purchase 3 F-35Bs despite opting for F-35C

Despite reversing its decision to purchase the F-35B Joint Strike Fighter in last year's Strategic Review, Britain is still paying £389m to buy up to three F-35Bs to conduct joint test and evaluation with the United States. The UK's subsequent JSF orders will be for the F-35C carrier takeoff/landing version.

HMS Ark Royal could become Thames heliport

The Royal Navy carrier HMS Ark Royal, scheduled to be decommissioned next month, could be converted into London's second heliport and moored at the Thames. The Ministry of Defence confirmed it was considering the plan, with the ship manned by around 150 former servicemen and cater to police helicopters and London’s air ambulance.

Royal Navy Merlins head to the Med for NATO ASW exercise

A Royal Navy helicopter squadron is taking part in NATO's largest Mediterranean anti-submarine exercise for the first time. 814 Sqn have flown their Merlin helicopters from RNAS Culdrose to Sicily for Exercise Proud Manta. Ships, aircraft and submarines from several NATO nations will take part in the exercise.

847 Sqn RNAS deploys to Afghanistan with Lynx Mk.9A

Making the type's combat debut with the unit, 847 Sqn Royal Naval Air Service will deploy to Afghanistan with the newly upgraded Lynx Mk.9A for a five-month deployment. The upgraded aircraft is expected to cope better with the battlefield's "hot and high" conditions.

Royal Navy's Merlin upgrade on track

Having advanced to the flight testing phase in late 2010, the Royal Navy's upgrade programme for the AW101 Merlin multi-mission helicopters is on track. It is planned to introduce an operational fleet of 30 HM2-standard aircraft by 2014.

UK Harriers to make final operational flights today

Photo by Jamie Hunter/Aviacom

British use of the Harrier GR9/9A ground-attack aircraft will come to an end today with the UK’s Joint Force Harrier organisation to perform a final series of sorties from the Royal Air Force Cottesmore with 16 Harriers. The aircraft, including an aircraft painted in a retro Dark Sea Grey/Dark Green scheme, will perform a flyby of various locations throughout the UK.

New Sea King squadron takes over in Helmand

857 Naval Air Squadron has handed over responsibility for Sea King airborne surveillance and control duties in Afghanistan to 854 Naval Air Squadron. Both squadrons operate the Mk7 Sea King Airborne Surveillance and Control (SKASaC) helicopter and are employed for land surveillance using their radars to collect data to build a pattern of life in Helmand province.

HMS Invincible put up for sale

After 32 years of service in the Royal Navy, the Royal carrier HMS Invincible is up for sale on a British government e-sales website. It is an ignominious end for a ship that served in the Royal Navy for 32 years, and had taken part in the Falklands, Balkans and Iraq wars.

Last Harrier jet launch from HMS Ark Royal

The end of 2 different eras, as the HMS Ark Royal launches Harriers for the last time. Both the ship and the Harriers are to be docomissioned by the Royal Navy and Air Force next month.

RN Sea Kings assisting in flood response in Cornwall

Royal Navy Search and Rescue helicopters from Royal Naval Air Station Culdrose have been assisting Cornwall's emergency services in dealing with the incidents of flooding in parts of the United Kingdom. The duty crew from 771 Naval Air Squadron was also joined in the skies by another rescue helicopter from Royal Marines Base Chivenor

Royal Navy takes first delivery of Helmet-Mounted Display for Lynx Helicopters

BAE Systems has delivered 12 Q-Sight Gunner Remote Sighting Systems (GRSS) that are qualified for use on the Lynx Mk8 helicopter. The lightweight Q-Sight helmet-mounted display is a small device that clips onto the helmet and provides day-or-night “head-up, eyes-out” capability by projecting flight and mission information in front of the user’s eyes

Catapults on RN CVF to cost up to £800m extra

Babcock, part of the consortium building the Royal Navy's aircraft carriers, has estimated that installing catapults on one of the CVFs as planned will add up to £800m to the cost of the ship. The United Kingdom decided at the recent strategic review to install the catapults and purchase the carrier-capable F-35C instead of the STOVL F-35B JSF.

France, United Kingdom sign historic defence cooperation deal

The political leaders of France and the UK have signed a defence cooperation deal lasting 50 years, that includes, among other things:

• An integrated strike force ensuring aircraft can operate off both the planned British carrier and the French carrier Charles de Gaulle. Britain will modify its future aircraft carrier to make it compatible with French aircraft.


• A joint common support plan for the future fleets of A400m transport aircraft being brought by both countries.


• Joint development work on UAVs

Costs, payload and range swayed UK's F-35C decision

The United Kingdom's vice defense chief has said that the high costs of the STOVL F-35B Joint Strike Fighter, coupled with the better payload and range of the carrier-based F-35C were the main factors that convinced the UK to switch to buying the F-35C Joint Strike Fighter.

UAV/UCAV technology to Influence U.K. F-35C Buy

A senior British defense official has said that development of next generation combat UAVs along with the health of the Royal Air Force’s current fighter fleet will be key factors in determining how many F-35C Lightning II Joint Strike Fighters the United Kingdom will buy. The UK plans to swap 138 F-35B STOVL aircraft for an unspecified number of F-35C carrier-based JSFs.

French Aircraft on British Carriers?

French Defense Minister Hervé Morin has said that French military staff have assessed whether the planned installation of catapults would allow French aircraft to operate off the Royal Navy's HMS Prince of Wales. France will also make a decision on whether to build a second carrier at the end of 2012 or early 2013.

Enhanced Merlin takes to the air

Two months ahead of schedule, the first upgraded AgustaWestland Merlin Mk2 helicopter for the Royal Navy has made its first flight. The upgrade improves mission capabilities through improvements to the helicopter's radar, sonar and other refinements. 30 UK Royal Navy Merlin Mk1s are to be upgraded.