War Zone – Recent images of a Royal Navy Vanguard class nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarine (SSBN) taken by Sheila Weir — captured after the sub completed a six-month-long deterrent patrol — underscore the immense beating these leviathans of the deep can take while on mission for long stretches of time. The missile boat looks like a sea monster that has emerged from a long slumber at the bottom of ocean.

Navy Lookout – HMS Queen Elizabeth sailed on 8th September to lead the RN’s first major carrier strike group deployment since 2021. Known as operation FIREDRAKE, the group will undertake of a series of exercises in northern European waters working closely with JEF and NATO partner nations.

Navy Lookout – In this article, we provide an inside view on the saga that has delayed Type 23 frigate HMS Somerset rejoining the fleet following her life extension refit.

Navy Lookout – In a pioneering flight on 4th September, a cargo drone flew from Cornwall out to HMS Prince of Wales, delivered supplies, took off again and returned to the airfield.

RUSI – This paper examines whether and how the Royal Navy’s Maritime Reserves can bring extra fighting power at an affordable cost.

Navy Lookout – The UK and Netherlands have formally announced they will explore opportunities to work together to purchase a new generation of amphibious warships. Here we look at the background and the options for this important programme.

Navy Lookout – Through open-source observations, it is clear that none of the Royal Navy’s six commissioned SSNs are at sea at the time of writing. As part of normal maintenance cycles several boats could be expected to be in harbour but it is unusual for the entire force to be alongside.

Navy Lookout – On 17th November 2021, an F-35B ditched into the sea on take-off from HMS Queen Elizabeth in the Eastern Mediterranean during operation FORTIS / CSG21. The basic cause of the accident was understood very quickly but the full board of enquiry report published recently highlights multiple contributing factors and reveals broader issues with UK Carrier Strike capability.

MercoPress – A Swiftsure-class Royal Navy nuclear-powered attack submarines that entered service in the 1970s and served for more than 20 years has dry docked at Rosyth, Scotland, as it prepares for final dismantle in a world first.

(Thanks to Alain)

UK Defence Journal – HMS Trent has embarked on a mission to West Africa, aiming to enhance maritime security and curb criminal activities like piracy and armed robbery prevalent in the region.

Navy Lookout – HMS Albion returned to Devonport last week after another highly successful deployment and will now go into a state of reduced readiness. Unfortunately, this will leave the RN temporarily without its primary amphibious platform as her sister ship, HMS Bulwark will not be ready to replace her until next year.

Navy Lookout – Last week Government finally published the Defence Command Paper (delayed since mid-June) which was supposed to provide more precise detail about the structure and future of the armed forces following the aspirations of the Integrated Review (Refresh) launched in March. Here we take an overview of what the DCP23 says, or does not say, about the future of the Royal Navy.

Navy Lookout – In a previous article, we took a speculative look at how the Type 26 frigate mission bay could be utilised. More than four years on, the RN has provided some further detail on the specifications for this space on its future surface combatant.

Navy Lookout – In this article, we examine the layout, equipment and initial trials programme for RFA Stirling Castle, the first of the vessels recently purchased by the RN for use as a mothership.

Navy Lookout – Amid some adverse comment questioning why the Royal Navy sending one of its few high-end air defence platforms to the region, HMS Dauntless is about to begin operations in the Caribbean. Here we outline the sound reasons for this unusual deployment.

Navy Lookout – In this guest article, Kamil Sadowski considers how navies may employ surface platforms to counter the evolving threat from UUVs.

Navy Lookout – In a Parliamentary answer, it was revealed this week that the RN’s Wildcat helicopter will not be certified to launch the Sea Venom missile until 2026.

Navy Lookout – An increase in resignations and slow down in recruitment in the last 18 months means sailor numbers are declining. Here we look at some of the causes, the long-term effects and potential remedies.

Forces Net – A quarter of the Royal Navy’s frigates spent zero days at sea in 2022, it has been revealed.

(Thanks to Alain)

Defense News – The defense ministers of Germany and the United Kingdom have pledged to keep up their respective military presence in the Indo-Pacific region, while also outlining their plans for military deployments

UK Defence Journal – British and American naval forces came to the aid of a merchant ship transiting the Strait of Hormuz on June 4, after the vessel made a distress call claiming harassment by Iranian fast-attack boats. The fast-attack boats were identified as belonging to the Iranian Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Navy.

Navy Lookout – A long-term project is underway to develop a suite of maritime uncrewed air systems (MUAS) to dramatically enhance the carrier air group and RN air power. Here we look at the latest plans for the Future Maritime Aviation Force.

Naval News – The UK Royal Navy is studying the introduction of aircraft launch and recovery systems on board its two Queen Elizabeth-class aircraft carriers to ‘open up’ the flight deck to a broader range of crewed and uncrewed air systems.

Naval News – The UK Royal Navy is planning to flight test the General Atomics Aeronautical Systems Mojave short takeoff/landing unmanned air system from the aircraft carrier HMS Prince of Wales later this year.

Naval News – The UK Royal Navy has provided further details on the development, delivery timeframe, and operational capabilities of its Multi-Role Ocean Surveillance Ship programme, including plans for the second vessel in the two-ship class.