Tempest414 wrote: the common denominator is at least 1 LPD + 1 LSD + 1 escort
, while also heeding SB's point of needing to be able to do 'additional' things on a shoestring...
Let's see what a recent USNI opinion piece says about their ARG, which resembles the above quoted closely and/or in scale:
"The ARG generally is ill-prepared to “fight in,” but the Navy could take some steps to be better primed for that fight. The first would be to cease disaggregation of the ARG, which leaves the ships with no mutual support. The new LPD alone is a large improvement."
The article assumes that heavy equipment (tanks, arty pieces, part of logs) being removed is known to the reader, and hence:
"With less need for the LCUs, ARGs could carry Mark VI patrol craft in their well decks and deploy them in theater to act as escorts. Packing a hearty armament on a sleek frame, these craft would give ESG commanders greater flexibility. In a low-end threat environment, particularly against suicide boats and attack craft, these boats would be invaluable."
They don't quite go (straight in) to a single large combatant, housing also the assault element, but rather, incrementally
"Adding even one small surface combatant would tremendously increase the ARG’s combat ability for ASW, anti-air warfare, and surface combat. The new class of frigates will be entering service at the same time as the LPD Flight II and would give an area air-defense capability not currently available."
" Furthermore, the frigate will have the AN/SQQ-89 undersea combat system and will be able to manage ASW operations without any modification to any other ship in the ARG. Making a frigate a permanent part of the ARG would greatly increase the ARG’s flexibility and
ability to conduct independent missions, while not drawing further on destroyers in the fleet."
Without any combatant added
"The two-mile range of the 25-mm and 30-mm guns on the LHD and LPD gives those ships no ability to threaten something as large as an enemy corvette or frigate."
So does that translate (there are 3 infantry companies and a 4th, heavy weapons company to be landed, even after the deletions)? Perhaps 2+ for us?
Make a T31 more like an Absalon, with a 127 mm gun (US Mk 45 Mod 4) ready for extended range ammunition and put "back
" the 900 square meter multi-purpose deck (245 lane-meters) that can take 75% of a [Danish] Army reconnaissance battalion" and pair it with a std T31 which alone can put ashore two platoons as recce parties
... and off we go
while still short of boats/ LCVP capacity; surely a problem that can be solved
Ever-lasting truths: Multi-year budgets/ planning by necessity have to address the painful questions; more often than not the Either-Or prevails over Both-And.
If everyone is thinking the same, then someone is not thinking (attributed to Patton)