Current & Future Escorts - General Discussion

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Ron5
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Re: Current & Future Escorts - General Discussion

Post by Ron5 »

Scimitar54 wrote:You should look at the path: Home / Equipment / Royal Navy / Re: Current & Future Escorts - General Discussion

The definition of the subject under discussion is quite clear!
Or a new thread could be started: Home / Equipment / Foreign / Warships - General Discussion, where Nigel could post his childish rants on how shitty everything British is.

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Re: Current & Future Escorts - General Discussion

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ArmChairCivvy wrote:
NickC wrote:so why could not MoD set up similar Government to Government deal
I guess you answered your own question, in a way.

Because there is a political layer in proc decision making that has a 'healthy' infusion of
NickC wrote:myopic little englanders
... may be that will change, but I don't see many (other) European prgrms with the same kind of potential at the sustainment phase. I understand that there are plans with a/c with Norway, but the scope is more limited, and the 'product' mainly originates from another continent.

So the RN is stuck with trying to standardise subsystems across the ever shrinking fleet, like propulsion, CMS...
That has the downside that when (ehmm, due to strides made within other navies, including those that potentially are adversaries) a step change/ improvement needs to be put in train, those same arguments might scupper it even getting started.
The only thing I see is a bunch of cranky Europeans gazing at their own navals as their cozy club slowly goes belly up under the strain of undemocratic infighting and illiterate financials.

The RN on the other hand is forging closer links with like minded blue water navies over the Atlantic and into the Pacific. Little Englanders my ass. Check out their new carriers with embarked US F-35 squadrons conducting exercises with Australian Type 26 frigates while the German navy cruises around the Baltic in its gunboats.

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Re: Current & Future Escorts - General Discussion

Post by RetroSicotte »

Posting news no peer warships to offer a contrast and comparison to what is out there is a part of discussion for the Royal Navy, so long as they discussion is considered a point of Royal Navy purpose. Random news about it without anything added is not exactly crashing the rules, but it would be very useful to factor it into a query or direction of topic.

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Re: Current & Future Escorts - General Discussion

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”We have no eternal allies, and we have no perpetual enemies. Our interests are eternal and perpetual, and those interests it is our duty to follow." - Lord Palmerston

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Re: Current & Future Escorts - General Discussion

Post by Tempest414 »

interesting that no one jumped on the fact that unmanned MCM is being released to service this March and this could fit in with Type 26/31

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Re: Current & Future Escorts - General Discussion

Post by ArmChairCivvy »

Tempest414 wrote:this could fit in with Type [ 26/]31
Mainly because on the T31 thread the need has been repeated for years.

But you are right: T31 B2 is a future escort... how many are we getting :D ?
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Re: Current & Future Escorts - General Discussion

Post by NickC »

14th January press release by MOD "Revolutionary Artificial Intelligence warship contracts announced"

"The Defence and Security Accelerator (DASA) has announced the first wave of £4 million funding
The funding aims to revolutionise the way warships make decisions and process thousands of strands of intelligence and data by using Artificial Intelligence (A.I.).
Intelligent Ship is focused on inventive approaches for Human-AI and AI-AI teaming for defence platforms – such as warships, aircraft, and land vehicles – in 2040 and beyond.

Full text
From <https://www.gov.uk/government/news/revo ... -announced>

Usual puff but talk of 2040 reminds me of Keynes quote "in the long run we are all dead", appearance of R&D to form the foundation of a new CMS, if understanding correctly looks similar in concept to that used as basis of the new gen Thales Nederland AWWS CMS for the Damen Omega Dutch/Belgium frigate and maybe the US Army NG Integrated Air and Missile Defence Battle Command System, IBCS, a command-and-control (C2) system developed to deliver a single, unambiguous view of the battlespace, amongst others.

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Re: Current & Future Escorts - General Discussion

Post by ArmChairCivvy »

NickC wrote: talk of 2040 reminds me of Keynes quote "in the long run we are all dead", appearance of R&D to form the foundation of a new CMS, if understanding correctly looks similar in concept to that used as basis of the new gen Thales Nederland AWWS CMS for the Damen Omega Dutch/Belgium frigate and maybe the US Army NG Integrated Air and Missile Defence Battle Command System, IBCS, a command-and-control (C2) system developed to deliver a single, unambiguous view of the battlespace, amongst others.
ArmChairCivvy wrote: when (ehmm, due to strides made within other navies, including those that potentially are adversaries) a step change/ improvement needs to be put in train, those same arguments might scupper it even getting started.
- correction: started at such a low level of funding that to get there by 2030 rather than ten years later we will need to buy somebody else's
- but still: this is better than nothing. By doing "enough" of research, we should be aware of what we will need to buy?
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)

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Re: Current & Future Escorts - General Discussion

Post by seaspear »

The type 26 being equiped with the vls, is this system capable of using the sm-6 block1b the newer version of the sm-6 with longer range and payload capable of use in anti shipping modeof being guided by other assets using cec and also as it has a ballistic flight characteistic , if partnered at the same time with a launch of conventional shipping missiles being harder to counter as there is not a radar that can be in two modes of anti ballistic and anti air at the same time I understand this misileis also being looked at for other platforms like submarines and aircraft , would be a real capability leap for the R.N

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Re: Current & Future Escorts - General Discussion

Post by ArmChairCivvy »

seaspear wrote: as there is not a radar that can be in two modes of anti ballistic and anti air at the same time
this statement would seem incorrect when bringing in international benchmarks for comparison.

Some of the discussion, in the run up to the T26 being selected for RAN, suggested that they will become (initially, at least) more effective AAW platforms than their specialist RAN brethren exactly due to the fact that they will receive such (a newer version) radar... being able to do both
- there is nothing (exc. money and the decreased availability to the fleet until enough of the new class will have joined service) to prevent an updating of the Hobarts
- for our own T45s there has been software development ongoing so that the overall system, without extensive changes to the radar itself being needed, would not need to be restricted to one of the two modes, at any given time. - How far along that road we've got, I don't know. But there are folks on here who seem to be well versed in these matters...
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)

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Re: Current & Future Escorts - General Discussion

Post by seaspear »

I should of added that there is a claim that the soon to be introduced AN/SPY-6 Oon the Arleigh Burkes flight 111 with the Radar Suite controller will be able to simultaneously track and engage ballistic and airborne threats ,there claim that other radars in the Russian and Chinese navies cant do both at the same time , some of the existing flight one and two A/B will get a limited version of this radar not sure aware of the reduced capability though

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Re: Current & Future Escorts - General Discussion

Post by NickC »

Integrated Air and Missile Defense [IAMD], my limited understanding

The DoD MDA, Missile Defense Agency funds the Ballistic Missile Defense Aegis IAMD CMS and missiles, not the USN, for Ticos, Burkes and Aegis Ashore.

Aegis CMS on a quadrennial upgrade software/hardware cycle eg ACB 12, ACB 16 and latest in development ACB 20/TI-16 for the future Flight III Burkes (ACB, Advanced Capability Build, TI, Technology Insertion, new hardware/computers etc).

IAMD came online with Baseline 9C (BMD 5, ACB 12?), BMD 6.0/ACB 20 upgrade will integrate with the new Raytheon GaN AN/SPY-6 radar.

Missiles, the new ~ $40 million SM-3 Block IIA is an anti-SRBM, MRBM and IRBM exoatmospheric missile, to be tested against an ICBM target for the first time later this year, whereas the new SM-6 Dual I/IIs are only an anti-SRBM endo-atmospheric missile as well as AA and anti-ship.

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Re: Current & Future Escorts - General Discussion

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seaspear wrote:there is a claim that the soon to be introduced AN/SPY-6 [ Oon the Arleigh Burkes flight 111] with the Radar Suite controller will be able to simultaneously track and engage ballistic and airborne threats
During Formidable Shield (NATO) 2019 "US Navy Captain Shanti Sethi directed the exercise from on board the Danish flagship, HDMS Absalon. The latest iteration of the AEGIS system was proven as USS Carney conducted simultaneous SM-2 missile engagement while tracking space and atmospheric targets. USS Roosevelt fired an SM-3 at a Terrier Oriole ARAV missile target while concurrently engaging Firejet targets with an SM-2 missile."
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)

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Re: Current & Future Escorts - General Discussion

Post by NickC »

The Sate Department cleared possible $1.5 billion sale of kit for both the three Hobart AAW frigates and first three Hunter (T26) class ships, surprised at kit for Hobart buy as first two only commissioned in 2017 and 2018 and final ship currently on pre-commissioning trials, presumably upgrade to incorporate IAMD into its Aegis CMS

Main items
Six shipsets of the AEGIS CMS MK 6 Mod 1
Three shipsets of the MK 41 VLS - Hunter
Three shipsets (2 mounts per ship) CIWS (Phalanx?) - Hunter
Two Australian AEGIS CMS programs (one for Hobart, one for Hunter)
Six shipsets Global Positioning System (GPS), Navigation and Timing Service (GPNTS) Navigation Systems and associated Advanced Digital Antenna Production (ADAP) antennas and support equipment
Six shipsets of upgraded Cooperative Engagement Capability (CEC) equipment of Command and Control Processor (C2P) equipment
Eight shipsets of Multifunctional Information Distribution System Joint Tactical Radio Set (MIDS JTRS)

Three shipsets MK 34 Gun Weapon System (GWS) modification equipment including the Electro Optical Sight System and changes supporting Naval Fires Planner and associated TacLink Control System MK 160 Gun Computing System and the MK 20 Electro Optical Sight System, and the Naval Fires Planner and associated TacLink Control System (for the Mk 45 5" gun, assume RN will be buying same kit for the T26 Mk 45)

Three shipsets of Mode 5/S IFF; Gigabit Ethernet Data Multiplexing System (GEDMS); AN/WSN-7 Ring Laser Gyrocompass Inertial Navigation Systems; WSN-9 Digital Hybrid Speed Log systems; Common Data Link Management System (CDLMS); and Global Command and Control System-Maritime (GCCS-M) systems for installation on the Hunter.
Six shipsets of AN/SRQ-4 Hawklink and SQQ-89 Sonobuoy processing equipment.
Defense services for development and integration of a capability upgrade for the installed AEGIS CMS on the Hobart, including Integrated Air and Missile Defense (IAMD) capability and growth capability for Ballistic Missile Defense.

Development, integration and testing support for installation of the AEGIS CMS with the CEAFAR 2 Phased Array Radars (LM IAFCL, International Aegis Fire Control Loop, to control the CEA radars and SM2 & ESSM missiles - had assumed CEAFAR was AESA, active electronically scanned array radar, not a phased array radar ?) including the CEC and integration of selected Australian system components including Undersea Warfare and Ship Self Defense for installation on the Hobart and Hunter.

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Re: Current & Future Escorts - General Discussion

Post by zanahoria »

https://www.shephardmedia.com/news/nava ... aths-fail/

Just saw this on Twitter - main article behind a paywall. If there’s any substance to this, then it is hard to see how the RN would recover in terms of effectiveness & prestige. I certainly won’t relish the RN playing second fiddle to the Marine Nationale.

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Re: Current & Future Escorts - General Discussion

Post by Timmymagic »

zanahoria wrote:Just saw this on Twitter - main article behind a paywall. If there’s any substance to this, then it is hard to see how the RN would recover in terms of effectiveness & prestige. I certainly won’t relish the RN playing second fiddle to the Marine Nationale
Had a read of it and it doesn't seem to make sense (although Shepherds Naval editor commented on it). The gist I got from it is that a temporary decline in escort numbers is inevitable if the T23's GP's aren't extended due to the build rate of T26 and T31.

Given the recent issues in the Persian Gulf I can't imagine anyone in HMG is proposing reducing escort numbers.

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Re: Current & Future Escorts - General Discussion

Post by donald_of_tokyo »

Timmymagic wrote:
zanahoria wrote:Just saw this on Twitter - main article behind a paywall. If there’s any substance to this, then it is hard to see how the RN would recover in terms of effectiveness & prestige. I certainly won’t relish the RN playing second fiddle to the Marine Nationale
Had a read of it and it doesn't seem to make sense (although Shepherds Naval editor commented on it). The gist I got from it is that a temporary decline in escort numbers is inevitable if the T23's GP's aren't extended due to the build rate of T26 and T31.

Given the recent issues in the Persian Gulf I can't imagine anyone in HMG is proposing reducing escort numbers.
1: But, cutting the "escort number on paper" by a few, while keeping the "active escort number not reduced" is possible. It is also reasonable, l think. Actually, I prefer to disband "un-usable" escorts (because of man-power shortage) to save money to "up-arm" T31 as much as possible, and operate as many T45 and T23ASW as possible.

2: On the other hand, anyway, even the first T26 will not commission until 2027, it will be handed over to RN in 2025, and its full-crew is needed even earlier. I can see that, by the day of the T26-hull1 hand over, another T23GP will decommission, even though T31 is yet to come. In this case, "number of escorts flying white ensign" does not decrease, but number of escorts "commissioned" will. I see no problem here.

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Re: Current & Future Escorts - General Discussion

Post by RetroSicotte »

Given the Type 31 is an escort on paper only, it's going from 19 to 14 regardless anyway.

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Re: Current & Future Escorts - General Discussion

Post by zanahoria »

RetroSicotte wrote:Given the Type 31 is an escort on paper only, it's going from 19 to 14 regardless anyway.
Does joined up thinking exist anywhere in government? My civvy brain doesn’t understand the these gaps in capability when the world is becoming more unpredictable. If Defence is an insurance policy surely we should be increasing our premium to get a bit more than 3rd party? Absolutely nuts (if true) It is like they have no strategy.

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Re: Current & Future Escorts - General Discussion

Post by dmereifield »

RetroSicotte wrote:Given the Type 31 is an escort on paper only, it's going from 19 to 14 regardless anyway.
We don't know the final T31 spec, yet

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Re: Current & Future Escorts - General Discussion

Post by Aethulwulf »

From House of Lords this week...

Lord West of Spithead:

“To ask Her Majesty’s Government when the number of Royal Navy frigates in commission will rise above the present total of 13; and whether that number will drop below 13 at any stage in the next ten years.”

Baroness Goldie, Minister of State for Defence:

“The Government remains committed to a surface fleet of at least 19 Frigates and Destroyers, and the Royal Navy will have the ships required to fulfil their Defence and Policy commitments. The intent remains to grow the Destroyer and Frigate force by the 2030s, and the Type 31 Frigates will provide the opportunity to do this. It is not uncommon to have planned, temporary, small fluctuations in overall numbers during the transition from any class of ship or submarine to another.”

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Re: Current & Future Escorts - General Discussion

Post by serge750 »

Maybe I am optimistic but I do think we will get a second batch of T31 ( mainly because they will be cheaper than the T26 or T45 replacements ) with a slightly better spec, but still will not make up for the loss of the 2010 cuts..T22 etc :oops: :oops:

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Re: Current & Future Escorts - General Discussion

Post by dmereifield »

serge750 wrote:Maybe I am optimistic but I do think we will get a second batch of T31 ( mainly because they will be cheaper than the T26 or T45 replacements ) with a slightly better spec, but still will not make up for the loss of the 2010 cuts..T22 etc :oops: :oops:
At the expense of the T45 replacements and/or T26's?

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Re: Current & Future Escorts - General Discussion

Post by donald_of_tokyo »

RetroSicotte wrote:Given the Type 31 is an escort on paper only, it's going from 19 to 14 regardless anyway.
dmereifield wrote:We don't know the final T31 spec, yet
Agree, but at least, T31 is never intended to be a Tier-1 escort.

It could be as capable as (or less, e.g. "no ASW") the heavy corvettes such as Damen 10514, Gowind2500, and Brazilian MEKO A100 Tamandare Corvette, which cost similar to T31, but never as capable as French FDI (not to say T26 or even FREMM). On the other hand, figure-of-merit of T31 will be on its long range/endurance added with much better sea keeping.

Whether "we can call T31 an escort or cannot", will differ person by person.

For me, if T21 was an escort, T31 is an escort. (complete lack of ASW in T31 vs very limited ASW in T21 is offset enough by a brand new but limited AAW capability (12-24 CAMM on T31) vs completely obsolete ones (small number of out of date (even in 1980 standard) SeaCat SAM on T21)).

But anyway not a Tier-1.

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Re: Current & Future Escorts - General Discussion

Post by RetroSicotte »

donald_of_tokyo wrote:For me, if T21 was an escort, T31 is an escort. (complete lack of ASW in T31 vs very limited ASW in T21 is offset enough by a brand new but limited AAW capability (12-24 CAMM on T31) vs completely obsolete ones (small number of out of date (even in 1980 standard) SeaCat SAM on T21)).

But anyway not a Tier-1.
The difference was that Type 21 had plenty of other escorts in the fleet already at that time which were capable, it didn't need to BE a major escort. Whereas right now that's what the navy needs more of.
dmereifield wrote:We don't know the final T31 spec, yet
Unless there is a very significant change (Adding 76mm or bigger gun, sonar(s), AShM, at least 1 CIWS AND more than 12 SAMs at the very least) then I doubt it's going to be much more to meet that standard for the Royal Navy.

Either make a proper escort, or just admit it's only big OPV and arm it accordingly, and stop wasting money on "for show only" extra weapons for a scenario it would never dare enter just so BoJo can say "13 frigates" in PMQs. Spend that saved money from not needing to give it CAMM, Artisan, or such a big hull, on the T26/T45's fittings having capability gaps.

I'd say either be:

5,000t+ (Iver hull most likely) with:
- 8x AShM
- 32x CAMM
- 8-16 Mk41 (Depending on whether AShM goes in VLS or not, 16 if so, 8 if not)
- Hull Sonar
- Artisan
- 76mm gun
- 2x DS30M
- 1x Phalanx
- Merlin Hangar
- Mission Bay/Boat

OR

2-3,000t (Probably stretched River) with:
- 40 or 57mm
- 2x DS30M
- Wildcat Hangar
- Stored Boat

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