new guy wrote: ↑24 Feb 2024, 21:26
donald_of_tokyo wrote: ↑24 Feb 2024, 12:26
10 SeaSense USV systems will be covering 5 important ports/channels 24/7.
I wouldn't believe so, at least not with as few as 10 USV's. I you look at project wilton (Navylookout source)
...Wilton is equipped with 3 boats that can carry REMUS 100 and 600 small-medium UUVs, Side-scan sonars and M500 ROVs....
... once operational, are expected to provide 100 days of RTSV tasking and a further 60 days of trials per year. The unit is also tasked with developing organisational structures, doctrine and establishing standard operating procedures as well as supporting trials and evaluation for future RN MAS.
With a USV, Endurance is increased, but availability not as much so. Meaning yes you will be able to do incredibly longer operations, but the amount of individual operations will decrease.
Very good point. It does not degrade the USV importance, but its efficiency shall be well calculated. As Atlas-E shows 3 systems (typically) for deployment on choke point ASW taskings, they shall have some idea, but anyway it is not open in public information.
"Regardless", it has many good places to live.
T26 shall carry two ARCIMS 11m USV, I think.
- ASW: Before T26 reaching a shallow water with probable enemy SSK, T26 can deploy ARCIMS-ASW to pre-scan the area. Even if not detected, when ARCIMS sonar pinging is there, the SSK must hide = cannot move fast. As T26 is quiet, the SSK do not know where it is, so it is a one-sided game. If T26 needs to ping by herself, then enemy SSK knows her location immediately. This is a big merit. Also, in general, multi-static sonar operation means having multiple pinger and listener make the T26-team very good at ASW.
- MCM: The most important in MCM is NOT destroying enemy mines, but locating them, knowing their existence. Seabed scan with side-scan sonar is the answer now. To do this, actually, ARCIMS level USV is NOT needed. Just a small REMUS pods can do. (This is a great merit. RN do not need to send HMS Alacrity going back and forth in the Falkland channel just to see she is not sunken by mines). But, ARCIMS can do this more fast, using much larger side-scan sonar, I understand. Speed is another importance in war.
- Sentry: For defending against fast boat attack in gray-zone theater, having a tireless sentry will make the tasks easier. Combined with the 2 RHIBs carried, the 2 USV added with sensor (and maybe RWS) will improve the situation awareness very much. If there is time and distance, the T26 can send a Wildcat.
These tasks are not valid in blue water fast transit. But, blue water cruising is where the T26's ASW kit is best operated. So, it is not a big problem. Adding ARCIMS 11m USV with ASW and MCM options to T26 will largely improve its capability in shallow water, near the enemy shore.
My thought.