If we are going down this rote then the two carrier are much more inline for this name as they are some 60% under full capability Interesting, you say a class of ship capable (today with no additional cost) of operating fast jets and every helicopter in the UK’s arsenal as Pointless, and then go ab...

We should call them the Pointless Class - suitable only to replace the forward based B2 River Class vessels in benign environments.

Agree, the RMs seem to be headed for a role of fleet protection and unconventional operations, but personally I think that is a good thing. In Afghanistan they were seen as just another light infantry brigade to fill a gap in an operation that the UK was not scaled for. Having the RMs (and I’d argue...

Feels like cuts today for jam tomorrow - though is completely consistent with the message of “cut traditional resources to invest in new capabilities”. Whilst, I think there is an element of truth in this, timescales and what else is happening will be key. For example, the cut of 53 Typhoons look se...

I think the Army needs to take a leaf out of the Navy’s book and look to restructure the Paras and part of the Aviation Brigade assets along the lines of the Future Commando Force. Flexible unit structures varying in size that can be globally forward deployed to support allied operations and UK SFs.

Changing the subject. shark bait , your Twitter post yesterday on an example RN fleet which was smaller but more focused than today, has got me thinking. I cannot help but think that the future structure of the RN is linked to the discussions a week or so ago on larger 30-50m USVs for roles such as ...

Oh guns have still got their place... just not the particular one currently sitting on the front end of all RN escorts. I share to a degree this view when we are discussing the T45, who will be sailing with a CBG all of their time. My main reservation is that with smart ammunition, the naval gun pr...

My vote for investment priority is a Ferret sized UGV, with a range of weapon bolt-ons

Nice video of the Sea Class 11m workboat;

I completely missed this - has anyone else seen it?

https://www.royalnavy.mod.uk/news-and-l ... the-future

Who cares about landing craft if you “shoot” RMs to land via a Rail Gun!

Apologies if this is old news, but I have been reading up on Project Vahana, which relates to the delivery of 38 Sea Class (<20m) work boats by Atlas Elektronik and includes HMS Magpie. Good overview of the workboats here: https://www.atlas-elektronik.com/solutions/surface-vessel-systems/sea-class-m...

10m-12m Ribs/USVs are fine for near/mid shore operations and short transfers / intercepts on the high seas when the weather is calm. I don’t think anyone is suggesting anything different. However for extend operations, operating over large distances, and navigating or operating far from shore then l...

The core of a Future Littoral Response Group? Boat Transporter for modern USV variants of MGBs and “robot” landing craft. http://theislander.net/wp-content/uploads/Sevnstar-Copy-995x498.png A control mothership with Royal Marines operating OTH. http://www.seaforces.org/marint/Royal-Navy/Amphibious-...

The 1SL was clear that he was willing to trade warships for unmanned systems. Sounds reasonable when it comes to MCMs and possibly larger amphibious ships, but when it comes to Destroyers, Frigates and OPVs (or Sloops as I call them :angel: ) I’m not convinced. As ArmChairCivvy says ships will get s...

The global role of the two Echos is still there. I hope this is a signal of a small fleet, especially with a degree of strengthen hull for artic operations there is an argument for 1/2 dozen, to complement the other UUV/USV capabilities of the planned T26/T31/T32 platforms.

On Littoral Strike there were no specifics about platforms but Burns said there would be a transition away from current amphibious force model, including its structure and force generation to be more “scaleable and agile”. The Future Commando Force will have a sea base, surface and aviation manoeuv...

https://www.navylookout.com/royal-navy-innovation-and-transformation/ Speaking about the Type 26 frigate and its large flexible mission bay capable of holding up to 14 shipping containers of equipment, he said that: “we have had the confidence to wait and see how we best use that space”. There are m...

Tempest414 , I completely agree with the sentiment hence why I don’t want to call them Frigates otherwise the requirement will get muddled and good plated. Equally, they are more than just an OPV, hence “Sloop”. There are many global examples of what this type of ship could be, each unique to the r...

1. Everything will be a mothership for unmanned systems Maybe, like every ship is a patrol ship, doesn’t mean that they all do the job equally well. The RN needs more than just a handful of “motherships”, if done properly and at scale (10+) these ships can transform the navy and release more expens...

Whilst we wait for the Integrated Security Review, if the reports are true the Hunt and Sandown MCM platforms are in the firing line for early retirement to be replaced by unmanned systems and also to free up crew for the carriers and other larger assets. If the Type 32 will serve as mothership for ...

AndyC wrote:• £500 million for a new research ship
• £500 million for a replacement auxiliary oiler

What are you suggesting? Significant cost for a research ship and RFA Fort Victoria (AOR) will be replaced by one of the FSSs?

With the target tonnage range of the Sea Venom, let’s hope we only fight foes with very small ships...