Alex Luck

PLAN. Bundeswehr. Navy-stuff. Cat/dog/spider-guy. Überbringer schlechter Nachrichten. Analysis @navalnewscom. Contributor @hartpunkt. Articles @FPRI.

[Alex Luck @AlexLuck9]

Following the appearance of another suspected Chinese mothership for submerged payloads in Guangzhou I have put down some preliminary observations on what we know and can tell about its characteristics for @navalnewscom:

https://t.co/Eyg9b6Mm3D

[Alex Luck @AlexLuck9]

Canadian experiences on specifying, then changing the River-class should serve as a lesson to others on not repeating the same mistakes. The most obvious case being Germany with F127. Especially now that cost estimates cause political concerns.

https://t.co/ySBNu60Qln

[Alex Luck @AlexLuck9]

For what its worth, the second batch of Hunter FFG is yet to be ordered. 🙃

[Alex Luck @AlexLuck9]

“Everything appears to be on the table — Hunter-class frigates, infantry fighting vehicles, or even the early retirement of Navy’s Landing Helicopter Docks,”

https://t.co/bQmAtucsQ3

[ZIP @ZipPatriot]

What was the roughest seas you’ve ever experienced?

I remember being in similar seas on the USS Midway (CV-41).
I was an Electronics Tech and got called to the bridge because a radio circuit was down. When I arrived the Officer of the Deck asked me if I knew what was wrong with an HF circuit that dropped. I told him, not yet but will investigate. He smiled and them gave me his binoculars and told me to look on the forward starboard side. When I did, I saw that not only was one of the 35ft whip antennas gone, the whole mount was ripped off and all I could see was mangled steel. We both had a good laugh!

I was also in 16 ft seas on a Minesweeper and we had water coming over the bridge but that’s a story for another day.

[Britsky @TBrit90]

One working ASW frigate has been the norm on many occasions over the last couple years.

The RN is only just about managing to maintain 1 frigate on TAPS and even thats a struggle and often double hats carrier duties.

The reality is the frigate fleet has almost collapsed.

[Kontrollpunk¤ 🇩🇪 @aroflexer]

EUNAVFOR Aspides:
Während Deutschland eine gechartertes ziviles Flugzeug für die Aufklärung beisteuert, fahren die Franzosen Geleitschutz und bekämpfen Flugkörper bzw. Raketen und Drohnen.

[Alex Luck @AlexLuck9]

Interesting development from an institutional point of view (DGA) for rapid fielding. Note though, the most obvious use case for modern navies like MN is as target and test vessel, less so as some sort of direct operational capability.

https://t.co/5q1P8dqoxP

[Naval News @navalnewscom]

[VIDEO] Naval Group’s Rampart CIWS has completed its maiden at-sea firing campaign off Toulon during Exercise WildFire 2026 💥

We speak with @navalgroup and @ThalesDefence on live-fire results and 68mm laser-guided rockets.

Watch our full report ⤵️
https://t.co/zVx6xa4KdL

[Alex Luck @AlexLuck9]

Industry wisdom 101: gotta be in it to win it. No matter how pointless the effort may seem.

[Navy Lookout @NavyLookout]

Latest news article:

Babcock pitches Type 31 for 🇺🇸US Navy frigate programme

https://t.co/xa6HcVJeeB

[Alex Luck @AlexLuck9]

@KomissarWhipla Yes but that seems a strawman regarding Decker's statement. Which, for the observable record, appears plausible.

[John Krempasky @johnkrempasky]

Weird I was certain this would turn out to be a giant swarm of asymmetric synchronized quadcopters

[Alex Luck @AlexLuck9]

@4thClassOfficer He outlived Garibaldi, which Bester would probably consider a personal victory.

[Alex Luck @AlexLuck9]

@rynoki777 There is no (public) evidence yet of another Fujian-type carrier under construction at Jiangnan.

[Alex Luck @AlexLuck9]

Very neat new imagery. State of construction compares very roughly to what Fujian looked like ca 12 months before launch, and Shandong back in the day approximately 11 months before launch.

[Tumoduss @Tumoduss]

October 25, Dalian Shipyard, Type 004 aircraft carrier.

The bulbous bow and stem have been installed, indicating that the underwater hull is largely assembled. Sponson installation has also begun on the starboard side.

The overall length is currently approximately 323 m, measured from the tip of the stem to the stern. This measurement is subject to a margin of error due to the elevation difference between the bow and stern. The maximum beam is currently approximately 78 m.

While its exact dimensions remain somewhat uncertain, it is certain that the Type 004 is a nuclear-powered aircraft carrier in the same league as the US USS Gerald R. Ford.

[Alex Luck @AlexLuck9]

@Dr_M_Davis Telling how Apple now effectively retraces the launch issues Samsung had with the Galaxy Fold.

Frankly I suspect these sort of designs will continue to show far higher than average rates of failure for many years vs conventional phones.

[Alex Luck @AlexLuck9]

USS Colorado (SSN 788) designated as the first U.S. Navy Virginia-class fast-attack submarine assigned to Submarine Rotational Force-West (SRF-West) beginning in late 2027.

https://t.co/czJliIPcmZ

[Defence Australia @DefenceAust]

Listening below the surface 🌊✈️

An @AusAirForce P-8A Poseidon deployed sonobuoys at Exercise Bersama Lima, putting anti-submarine warfare skills into practice with regional partners.

Working alongside a New Zealand Defence Force P-8A, the crew hunted a Singaporean submarine.
From the flight deck to the acoustic consoles, everyone had a part to play.

Read more 🗞️ https://t.co/DYtVTFNxU8

#YourADF #AusAirForce #StrongerTogether

[Alex Luck @AlexLuck9]

Rest in peace, Walter Koenig. Gifted mentalist, tasteful dresser, appreciator of nuclear wessels.

[Alex Luck @AlexLuck9]

Another new hull number for the latest batch production of PLAN Type 903A replenishment oilers. 894 Lake Dalinor joins three others of the new hulls entering service. Previous images showed 891, 892 and 893. At least two are with the STC. Via "ACuriousPLAFan"/SDF.

[Alex Luck @AlexLuck9]

HI Sutton's take on the second new suspected UUV mothership built in Guangzhou. I think his length estimate (ca 180 m) is probably closer to reality than my initial impression (closer to 150 m vs first hull of 200+ m).

https://t.co/pNiNi4x2zC