Product Description

In a world of increasing international tension and uncertainty, the Royal Navy has been faced with new and unconventional threats, which must be considered in addition to regular peacekeeping tasks and other challenging operations across the globe. To effectively counter such threats, and to increase dramatically the operational capabilities of the service, a large-scale naval construction programme, the largest for a generation, is currently underway, with the aim of ensuring that the fleet is equipped with cutting-edge technology and equipment.To illuminate these new developments, Conway presents the revised and updated "Royal Navy Handbook", the official MoD guide to the Royal Navy of today and tomorrow, examining all aspects of the service, covering strategic forces, the submarine and surface fleets, naval aviation, the Royal Marines Commandos, Royal Fleet Auxiliary and support forces, Joint forces, naval bases and future procurement. It contains a wealth of information on every type of vessel, aircraft and weapons system in service, as well as detailing projects which are currently in the development and construction phases.Such significant technological advances include the STOVL variant of the Lockheed-Martin F-35 Joint Strike Fighter, the two much-publicised Future Aircraft Carriers HMS Queen Elizabeth and Prince of Wales, the Astute class submarines (and their Spearfish and Tomahawk missile armament), RFA Bay Class Large Amphibious Landing Ships, and the Viking Amphibious Armoured Vehicle, now being used very effectively by Royal Marines Commando units deployed in Iraq and Afghanistan. Full specifications of vessels, aircraft and other equipment are presented, along with colour illustrations and plans showing the full extent of Royal Navy offensive, defensive and logistical forces in unprecedented detail. There are also key insights from serving members of the Royal Navy illuminating the practicalities and advantages of new, sophisticated ships, aircraft and weaponry. "The Royal Navy Handbook" is the complete work of reference for the professional and enthusiast alike.This is a fully updated and revised edition of one of Conway's most successful volumes in recent years. It is produced in exclusive collaboration with the Ministry of Defence. It also covers the much-vaunted new carriers HMS Queen Elizabeth & Prince of Wales.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #82703 in Books
• Published on: 2010-08-02
• Original language: English
• Binding: Hardcover
• 200 pages

Customer Reviews

Essential AIB reading
For those of you out there preparing for your AIB (Admiralty Interview Board) this book is absolutly essential. All of the current fleet is included, along with the future ships of the RN. Everything to do with the RN fleet is included here with more detail than you could ever need. It contains more up to date, and detailed information than that found in the booklet given out by AFCO's. Still didn't get me in though...

Brilliant and essential reading for AIB
I gave this book a 5* but 9/10 is probably more accurate. It is a very good guide to the current/immediate future RN fleet. It is ideal for someone gearing up for AIB, however it is not 100% comprehensive due to it being 4/5 years old.

It does mention the CVF/Astutes but only mentions some of the squadrons that use certain aircraft etc. It also covers Apaches as in use by the RN, even though the RN has none (they are flown by the RAF).

It does give you all the info required (such as weapon and other systems detail) and also has wonderful profile pictures and photo shots to familiarise yourself with. However one must also learn the uses, locations and characteristics of each ship, and not just the specifications (which is pretty much what this book focuses on).

Showed it to my AFCO and they recommended it, and it is a wonderfully easy book to pick up as a beginner. But it shouldn't be used for 100% of the service knowledge research.

how to get in the royal navy
this book includes all the information you need to gain access into the royal navy it has info on the newwest ships in the navy and it also gives you all the detail and info needed to pass you AIB what else it covers almost everything and anything you need to know to get in... its fantastic and deserves a five star rating..