Agree. The first go at it was to make the T23s, with their soon-to-arrive new SAMs, nore useful by linkng them to the superior T45 sensorsLord Jim wrote: Not having installed CEC on the T-45s doesn't bode well for the RAF getting the capability on its E-7s. If the UK is going to go down the CEC route it should concentrate on linking CROWSNEST to surface platforms and also the F-35s as its priority.
- now we've got/ are getting other new things, so let's use them as per your suggestion
Quite. I was writing recently about the strike range of a combined nearly exo-stratospheric Mig31 using a Kinzhal against ships, and in May last year the StRN took stock of the ranges of "counter" that would be feasible (R&D, integration and the overall added cost) for us to put in place. This goes back to engaging BMs (see below for types) at the same time as air threats and very low-flying cruise missiles which are normally lumped together with air threats as 'same capabilities' apply for 'counter'.seaspear wrote:, it could be expected that an an air platform would have an advantage over the allied surface platoforms radar that was bound by curvature of the earth in detection range but could assist that platform in its detection and launchagainst opposing platform
"more affordable route [than introducing a totally new range of missiles] to achieving ABM capability would be to upgrade existing Aster 30 missile stocks. The Aster 30 Block 0 missiles that equip the Type 45s could be upgraded to Block 1 standard by a software and firmware upgrade conducted at DM Gosport where they are stored and maintained. Together with an upgrade to the ships combat management systems, this would give at least the Type 45 the ability to kill short-range anti-ship ballistic missiles (ASBM).
In 2016 France and Italy committed to developing the Aster 30 Block 1NT which will enter service from 2022. The Block 1NT missiles retain the same external form and compatibility with the Sylver VLS but have the ability to deal with both short and medium-range ballistic missiles (with an effective range from 1,000-1,300 km). The main addition is a new Ka-band radar seeker head for greater acquisition range and accuracy. There is also and Aster Block 2 in development to deal with intermediate-range missiles up to 3,000km."