jedibeeftrix wrote:inevitably, the LSG and the LitM will flex their composition to suit the mission, just as the army is reputed to do with its endless depsoke permutations of the battlegroup.....i can well see that a Bay might be a good fit as a bolt-on to the LSG, and it is easy to imagine a top-end LitM effort that would benefit from the FLSS boats.
I think it's this flexibility that is key to the idea of two separate LSG's. It's scalable and cost effective, easily tailored to each individual Operation. Taken to the extreme, I think a lot could be achieved without interfering with the availability of the CSG by forming the LitM group.
An example of the sliding scale from a single routine patrol vessel all the way up to forming the LitM group.
1. FLSS
2. FLSS, RB2
3. FLSS, T31
4. FLSS, Wave, T31
5. FLSS, Wave, Bay, T31
6. FLSS, Wave, Albion, T31
7. 2x FLSS, Wave, FSS, 2x T31's
8. 2x FLSS, Wave, FSS, Bay, 2x T31's
9. 2x FLSS, Wave, FSS, Albion, 2x T31's
10. LitM Group
The options are virtually endless especially if Allies slot in but the above list gives a flavour of the possible combinations. Done properly the LSG concept could be a very clever way of returning a LPH type capability without building another Ocean or needing to use PWLS if the CSG is active.
ArmChairCivvy wrote:If it is a quick in & out raid, what could not be made available by means of a Chinook sling-load?
Not exactly the most subtle form of entry
It's certainly possible but the lack of hanger space is problematic for combat Ops, less so for HADR deployments. These are the kinks that need ironed out of the FLSS concept. A more balanced platform is clearly the way to go.
- were the ships to be Point conversions, is the current crane hefty enough for handling a mexeflote? The "steel beach" for driving something onto it is already there
Depends on the size of the mexefloate, the 30t crane on the MRV would cope but where is the mexefloate going to be stored? On the flight deck?
image.jpeg
A working deck aft of the superstructure with a stern mounted deck crane is the obvious solution. Much more useful than a raised UAV flight deck with no obvious hanger facilities as in the image above.
SW1 wrote:We don’t know what the configuration of what a flss will look like. But if it were me I would be using what we currently have in this role and investing any transformation funds in refitting the bays and Albion’s for the role and in acquiring the unmanned and small craft needed to make the concept work.
Lord Jim wrote:Personally I would rather see the funding available from the Transitional Fund used to modify one of the Bay's to test out the LSS idea
I think converted Bay's are the ideal outcome. Adding a 1000sqm deck garage/hanger to hold six Merlins is straightforward. This would still maintain two Chinook capable landing spots. The well docks could contain much larger combat boats for the RM's than could be davit deployed and the two existing mexefloates are a given. DFID could still procure 2 or 3 MRV type vessels with extensive PCRS facilities and these could slot into the LSG's as and when necessary.
If organised correctly this would allow 2 independent LSG's to operate either side of Suez based around a enhanced Bay/Wave/T31 and/or RB2. To form the LitM group either side of Suez it would then just be a case of reinforcing the LSG with PWLS/Albion/FSS/Tide/T26/T45. Forward basing the second Albion EoS, even if only crewed as and when need would be better still.