tomuk wrote: ↑15 Jan 2024, 17:30Donald
I said in my previous post that we don't know what was in the CIP. I wasn't saying the Mk41 was in the CIP.
I was pointing out to Ron that a CIP had been agreed, before they've even finished assembling the first ship, as proof that the process of contracting a CIP has been agreed.
As to your further points about how easy or difficult it is. I would say on the one hand CAMM and Tacticos is a new integration, the new compact mushrooms are a new integration, have MBDA fitted them to a ship yet?
Thanks. We know Mk41 VLS for T31 is NOT yet ordered from UK. We know that T31-hull1 will be "delivered" to RN in 2026 (originally in late 2025, but delayed). Also, to my understanding, CIP is done AFTER the hull is delivered on 2026 and under the white ensign. This means, T31-hull-1 IOC is, when?
I am just against trying to fit Mk41 on hull-1 (2 and 3) because of this very very tight schedule. We need T31-hull1 as early as possible. If Babcock ends CIP within 1 year, then the ship will be handed back to RN on 2027. Then, RN needs verification and trial (so called "first of class ship trial"). This means T31-hull1 will see "IOC" only at 2028 at the earliest. This means, RN need to continue using T23 for KIPION until 2028.
As the 2nd ship do not need "first of class ship trial", her IOC will be nearly at the same timing as the hull-1 (the same happened to T45), which is good.
I think RN shall not waste any time on Mk.41+ExLS(insert) integration. CAMM mushroom is tested and verified in many cases already working: RN T23 with CMS-1, Chillian T23 with CMS330 (of Canada), NZ Te Kaha with CMS330. Also there are some CG images of 24-CAMM version of Arrowhead 140, which utilizes the normal mushroom tubes. I think this option gives the lowest risk, faster CIP speed, and earliest IOC for T31. And, at least for the first 2-3 T31s, "earliest IOC" is critically important considering the T23 material state, I think.
On the other as you point out fitting Mk41 with CAMM and Exls to T31 would be a lot of firsts. But these firsts all need to happen at some point and if they are being done and paid for for Poland on Meznick or for the Saudis on their LCS derivatives or pre-existing LM\MBDA work maybe it isn't as difficult as all that. A problem shared is problem halved.
If RN wants T31 as planned, the all "firsts" cannot be shared. RN is the first to do it. Maybe the cost could be shared, but the time will not be. After the T31 hull1,2 and 3 are on duty, I think RN can take time to do trial and verification on "Mk.41+ExLS(insert)". 1-2 years of delay on hull 4 and 5 is not a big issue, because RN can simply "double crew" all the first 3 hulls with 600 souls (100x3x2), and man-power shortage will not allow further mass, anyway.
RN need to hurry on T31, I think.