GRU
Military Intelligence Directorate
Intel Report: HMS CV Princess Diana
Report Filed: Dec 31, 2010
The following is a summary of our investigation into the development of the HMS Princess Diana, the first in a class of new, VSTOL airdraft carriers currently being tested and readied by the Royal Navy. The information was collected through a combination of sources, including satellite surveillance, intercepted purchase orders and in-country FSB operatives in an effort to learn what this carrier's mai characteristics are, and to determine the likelihood of this carrier entering service anytime within the projected time period of Operation Northern Storm (Jan. 1- 20).
Background
The Princess Diana was originally conceived in the late 90's as a large nuclear carrier, capable of meeting the Royal Navy's need to project a larger amount of air power in areas far away from British shores. The winning design was a unique hybrid of features and characteristics conceived by the The propulsion requirement was later changed from nuclear to a more conventional IFEP system due to costs, a change which also helped accelerate the timetable for construction.
Originally, the Princess Diana was scheduled to launch in 2009 and enter into service sometime in the year 2012 after the usual series of sea trials, trouble-shooting and flight qualifications. In the last year or two, however, Great Britain has apparently doubled its effort to get the carrier compleed ahead of schedule, a decision that was no doubt caused by a signifiant increase in political tensions throughout the world, particularly in Europe and Argentina. In light of the devastating losses incurred by the Royal Navy during the recent Falklands, we expect Great Briain wil be doing everything in her power to make this carrier operational as soon as possible.
One sign of this increased commitment was seen last November during her recent sea trials, which consisted of a far more rigorous and extensive shakedown cruise than normal and which lasted for almost an entire month. This would indicate an intention to learn everything possible about the carrier's performance all in one fell swoop, even at the risk of damaging the carrier's many untested stystems, in order to begin fixing the various equipment or system as soon as possible. Based on this, it would not surprise us if the next time the carrier leaves port it will be capable of carrying out combat operations.
The air wing
Running in parallel with the building of the new carrier was the development of a new type of carrier-capable fighter, the Lockheed-Martin F-34 Joint Strike Fighter, or JSF. Little is known about this fighter, as its development appears to have been been kept top secret. It is possible that our satellites have not been able to closely inspect their progress as they have been heavily tasked with assignments in both northern and central Europe in prepration for our Great Offensive.
We are aware, however, of a reserve Sea Harrier squadron that has been training rigorously at RAF Yeovilton in the south of England. If there were a problem in the development of the F-35 we believe this squadron would be the one to be assigned to the CV Princess Diana. In fact, given the recent loss of Sea Harriers during the Falklands war, it may be the only squadron that can be assigned.
Sabotage operations
While the FSB has been looking into ways to disrupt, delay or otherwise hamper the progress of this carrier's development, it appears we have beeen beaten to the punch in that regard by another country. According to information that has been shared with us by our ally Argentina, a team of Argentine saboteurs was deployed to England over two months ago, no doubt as a means of ensuring that the carrier is not completed anytime soon and thus could not be used in the recent Falklands war. (The idea reportedly came directly from Presidente del Fuego himself.) It is not known whether or not the saboteurs succeeded in their mission, but as we all know the Princess Diana never entered the war against Argentina. It now remains to be seen whether it can enter the war against Russia.
Current status
With only one major shakedown cruise under its belt it is safe
to say that this new carrier is still a long way off from being
fully combat-ready. However, we believe it is possible that the
CV Princess Diana could still be pressed into service sometime
in the next three weeks. If this were to happen it is likely she
would most likely be operating at reduced efficiency and may have
a number systems and equipment that are not on line -- a situation
no carrier commander would want to be in unless higher authority
was extremely desperate.
it is our hope to complete the most critical systems aboard this platform as soon as possible so that if she is required to enter combat she will at least have the equipment needed to conduct basic carrier operations. The Royal Navy will defer to the more experienced carrier commanders of the US Navy to advise us as to what those systems should be.
For more information on the concept and development of this carrier please look at the following references:
http://www.geocities.com/Pentagon/Bunker/9452/sectcvf.htm
http://www.warships1.com/BRcv10_CVF_specs.htm
Specifications for the CV Princess Diana
Displacement
Full Load: 40,000- 50,000 tons
Dimensions
Length Overall: 900'
Beam: 145'
Propulsion
Engines: Integrated Full Electric Propulsion (IFEP)
4 WR-21 gas turbines
Shafts: 4
Endurance: 8,000 NM @ 15 knts
Horsepower: n/a
Speed: 28 knts (estimated)
Aircraft (Projected - actual may vary)
Radars
Air Search Unknown
Surface Search Unknown
Navigation N/A
Fire Control N/A
Decoys N/A
Complement
END REPORT.