I was thinking more along the lines of if the RB2s were more akin to the above they could of performed the global presence role in a much better way than a RB2 could and in turn do away with the need for the T31s in their current spec. This would of freed up that money for better use else where. Un...

But, MOD decided the delay two times: first time for the 3 River B2s, and secondly for the 2 more. When the "2 more" are ordered, political situation was basically already settled down? So I think the T26 design was really not ready yet . My apologies, Donald, but unless I'm greatly mista...

MAST Asia: Mitsui Unveils OPV Design Proposal for JMSDF OPV Requirement Now that’s what you call a modern OPV really show what could of been got instead of the RB2s Uhm, but Japan has a few dozens of River B2 like (or even less military shaped) OPVs in our coast guard. To my understanding, UK has 5...

HMNZS Manawanui. Very very impressive ship she is.

https://www.facebook.com/NZNavy/
16 June post.

...T26 delay was caused in no small part by the SNP creating uncertainty in the yards' purpose or future. Without that creating a 4 year period of unknowing, much could have been done, and the wasted money on the River B2s would not have been spent. T26 could have began build years ago, and been in...

People talk of the US missing the boat here. They're not. It's the UK who missed it. By the government delaying so much about just funding the damn thing. We could have had one in the water already. Not sure. (see *1) I personally think RN fleet size is over-sized compared to their budget. There ar...

I don't know why everyone is getting excited by this. The mushrooms are frangible as can be clearly seen is these tests. Look carefully. Mushroom is NOT THERE from the canister CAMM is coming out. I finally found the photo of HMS Argyll, the photo taken on 3/3 this year at Malta. All mushroom caps ...

What "rubber cap" ? This one, at t = 6s to 7s. Mushroom hat been taken off prior to the test, and a "flat rubber cap" is shown. Surely the "mushroom" IS the rubber cap. No. Mushroom is removed BEFORE the CAMM ignition. Please carefully take a look. PS there was a photo...

Great news :thumbup: https://www.navalnews.com/naval-news/2019/05/lockheed-martin-details-chilean-navy-type-23-frigates-upgrade/ £135M for three T-23s including pre delivery work and training!!! RNZN Te Kaha and Te Mana upgrade is NZ$ 600M = £310M. It is clearly much more extensive than Chilean T23...

shark bait wrote:What "rubber cap" ?

This one, at t = 6s to 7s.
Mushroom hat been taken off prior to the test, and a "flat rubber cap" is shown.

SW1 wrote:Much ASW work done while cruising at 20knts?

Though it was more like 6-10 and quietly.

I guess this is the reason ASW escorts "dash at speed, and listen in slow"? And these USV drones can follow it for only a short period.

CAMM reloading photo. https://www.royalnavy.mod.uk/news-and-latest-activity/news/2019/june/18/190618-hms-northumberland-drones-missile-test?fbclid=IwAR2MEin38vIkIo_T6dgzylSa4228JQ_tu0vcAtdazRjWKdiWWc7YZdWqMBw CAMM20190620s.jpg Actually, I am a little bit shocked.... Tube in a tube .... We know, - th...

Look at the speed though, that makes operating with a manned fleet almost impossible. Where Sea Glider's do pose an interesting opportunity is protecting fixed infrastructure, because the low speed doesn't matter in this application. The probability of a sea glider detecting a sub is small, so to o...

X-post from Future ASW thread ... "IXblue Unveils SEADRiX USV For Persistent ASW Missions" by Naval News. (Xav-san) Supported by UK, it is a very promising approach. I like it. https://www.navalnews.com/event-news/mast-asia-2019/2019/06/mast-asia-ixblue-unveils-seadrix-usv-for-persistent-a...

"IXblue Unveils SEADRiX USV For Persistent ASW Missions" by Naval News. (Xav-san) Supported by UK, it is a very promising approach. I like it. https://www.navalnews.com/event-news/mast-asia-2019/2019/06/mast-asia-ixblue-unveils-seadrix-usv-for-persistent-asw-missions/ DRiX is a 8m long, 10...

From New Zealand thread https://defence.govt.nz/publications/publication/defence-capability-plan-2019-infographic https://www.beehive.govt.nz/release/defence-capability-plan-2019-released Interesring part of Navy. investment decisions planned for 2028 offshore patrol Vessel Replacement 201. The Otag...

Also the DCP was released, along with C130J-30 they are talking 2x new sealift ships and perhaps replacing NZLAV https://defence.govt.nz/publications/publication/defence-capability-plan-2019-infographic https://www.beehive.govt.nz/release/defence-capability-plan-2019-released “Significant new plann...

From T31 thread.... *1: In 57mm case, 3P ammo is standard, as I understand? Think posted before L3 won the USN contract for 57mm Advanced Low-Cost Munitions Ordnance round, ALaMO :crazy: , beating off the BAE ORKA developed from the BAE 3P round. ALaMO costing ~50% more than standard non-guided roun...

Given the increase in tension in the Gulf, would people say that a T31 built at the base RFI standard would be capable of escorting Tankers in such an environment? This is asking the Navy to deter a state actor, if the UK is placing this demand on it's personnel the MOD should equip them properly, ...

Beauty of Archer class comes from its cheapness and simple design. Mk.6 Patrol Boat is much more complex and costy asset (more weapon, much higher speed...), which means either a few times larger cost (purchase and maintenance) or a few times less number of hulls. If mixing with Archer class replace...

Looks nice enough but not much in the way of offensive capability. I agree some of the 5 T31e shall better be equipped with NSM. But, that will be enough. With 24 CAMM, T31 can already contribute to escorting CVTF or RFA fleet. In this case, T31 do not need any offensive capability. If deployed in ...

One of the ship is Japanese company operated, MV KOKUKA COURAGEOUS of Kokuka limited. Kokuka’s CEO Yutaka Katada says “Attacked by two shells. First on the engine room. When the crews are trying to extinguish fire, another shell hit amidship. Then, captain decided to give up the ship. All crews are ...

5 Archer Class Fast Patrol Vessels are joining Ballots 2019, including HMS Exploit, of Birmingham URNU.
Who are manning them?

River B1 crew is 30. With rotation crew included, it becomes ~45. River B2 crew is 36. With rotation crew included, it becomes ~60. [EDIT] https://www.forces.net/news/exclusive-behind-scenes-royal-navys-newest-ship ... The ship has been designed and built to enable lean manning - just 34 crew can se...

A quick observation / comment. The B2 rivers are more sophisticated than B1, but have a bigger crew. Is the extra crew worth the extra capacity? It is 30 in River B1 and 36 in River B2. As it is 20% more, we shall expect 20% more outcome. For EEZ patrol, I agree it does not worth 20%. But for Carre...