The below Parliamentary question was asked by Angus Robertson on 2014-03-27.
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, if he will place in the Library a copy of his Department’s agreement in principle for three offshore patrol vessels with BAE Systems.
Mr Philip Dunne
I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave on 8 November 2013 (Official Report, column 401W).
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Angus Robertson on 2014-06-04.
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what modifications to the original design of the Queen Elizabeth aircraft carriers were necessary to accommodate repeated vertical landings by the Joint Strike Fighter; what estimate he has made of the heat produced by vertical landing by the Joint Strike Fighter which has the heaviest safe configuration to allow the procedure; and whether vertical landings can take place on any flat area of the carrier deck.
Mr Philip Dunne
The ability of the ship to support F-35B vertical landings has been incorporated into the design of Queen Elizabeth Class (QEC) aircraft carrier from the outset. Environmental considerations including heat generation & dissipation have been thoroughly evaluated, including assessments from trials on the USS Wasp. UK assessments have covered all necessary aircraft configurations.
The QEC Flight Deck has been designed with specific operating spots for vertical landing to deliver maximum Sortie Generation Rate. These are the spots where the F-35B will plan to land vertically on a routine basis. If required, in the event of an emergency the whole flight deck can support vertical landing.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Angus Robertson on 2014-06-04.
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what estimate he has made of the disposal cost for BAE System’s Woodford site.
Mr Mark Francois
The Ministry of Defence has made no estimate for the disposal cost for the Woodford site; it is a matter for BAE Systems.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Angus Robertson on 2014-06-09.
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether the Joint Strike Fighter 35-B will be equipped with a collision warning system.
Mr Philip Dunne
The F-35 has a limited collision warning system in its early capability block which is supplemented by advanced sensors and software to provide pilots with a much higher level of situational awareness than on our existing platforms. The full ground and air collision warning system is under development and planned and funded for integration into the aircraft in line with its introduction into UK service.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Angus Robertson on 2014-06-16.
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what the completion date is for refurbishment of existing hydrodynamics research facilities at the Atomic Weapons Establishment Aldermaston; what the cost is of the refurbishment; and what the expected lifetime is of the new facilities.
Mr Philip Dunne
The refurbishment of the existing hydrodynamics research facilities at the Atomic Weapons Establishment Aldermaston is planned to be completed by summer 2016.
The forecast cost of the refurbishment is £25.5 million.
The refurbished facilities will have a range of expected lifetimes, estimated at between 10 and 15 years.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Angus Robertson on 2014-03-31.
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, when the Defence Infrastructure Organisation will allow the contract to dredge Portsmouth Harbour so the Queen Elizabeth class aircraft carrier can navigate it; what estimate he has made of the contract’s cost to the public; and when work will (a) commence and (b) finish.
Mr Philip Dunne
The contract to dredge Portsmouth Harbour is expected to be awarded in April 2015 and is worth £20 million to £40 million. Work will commence following the appointment of the successful bidder, and will be completed ahead of HMS Queen Elizabeth’s arrival in late 2016.
The bidders for the contract are Boskalis Westminster Ltd, Van Oord UK Ltd and Dredging International NV.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Angus Robertson on 2014-03-27.
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what assets and how many service personnel were involved in NATO exercise Joint Warrior from (a) the UK, (b) NATO members and (c) non-NATO members in each of the last two years.
Dr Andrew Murrison
The following tables detail the number and type of assets together with the number of Service personnel from the UK, NATO members, and non-NATO members involved in Exercise JOINT WARRIOR for the last two years.
Maritime Units represent the number of Ships and Submarines, Land Units represent Brigades/Battery/Legion/Squadron participating and Air Units represent the number of Aircraft taking part.
Personnel numbers are rounded approximations as exact numbers vary day to day. In 2013 approximately 50 personnel and 40 augmentees from Joint Force Air Component HQ and 50 Air Surveillance and Control System personnel at RAF Bulmer also participated as part of their normal duties.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Angus Robertson on 2014-06-04.
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, at which RAF bases the Joint Strike Fighter can regularly land vertically.
Mr Philip Dunne
RAF Marham is planned to be the only RAF base in the UK at which the Joint Strike Fighter can conduct vertical landings regularly. The Joint Strike Fighter will of course be able to land conventionally and conduct slow landings at other RAF bases.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Angus Robertson on 2014-06-04.
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether the Joint Strike Fighter B procured by the RAF will have Block 3i software.
Mr Philip Dunne
All UK F-35Bs delivered prior to the end of 2017 will be upgraded to, or delivered with, Block 3i software.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Angus Robertson on 2014-06-09.
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, when HMS Illustrious will return from its current deployment.
Mr Mark Francois
HMS ILLUSTRIOUS is currently participating in Exercise Deep Blue, an anti-submarine exercise in the Western Approaches. I am withholding details of its future programme and dates as their disclosure would, or would be likely to prejudice the capability, effectiveness or security of the Armed Forces.