River Class (OPV) (RN)

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Repulse
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Re: River Class (OPV) (RN)

Post by Repulse »

Tempest414, would tend to agree, but having the capability to operate a Wildcat and having one permanently deployed is different ends of the scale.

The original B3 (Avenger) concept plus a T26 style mission bay is what the T31 should be.
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Re: River Class (OPV) (RN)

Post by donald_of_tokyo »

Digger22 wrote:Do we have more info on actual deck layout dimensions? From that angle with those Sailors, the flight deck looks pretty big. Remove the structure aft of the Funnel with the crane, replace with a full width mission bay, surely you could squeeze a Wildcat in there with a couple of ribs and their launch system too?
Scimitar54 wrote:May be better to offset the structure aft of the funnel & the crane to either Port or Starboard and provide a Wildcat capable hangar, which can also double as a mission bay when there is no helicopter flight embarked.
Currently, River B2 provides
- 2 "mission decks" in the waist, with a size of ~10x4.5 m, covered by 16t crane
- 1 "mission deck or flight deck", with a size of ~21x13.6 m, on which 1/3 is covered by 16t crane.
I guess this will work very nice as a "mission deck". May be able to contribute "a half" of what will be provided by, say, Venari 85?

The latter is "shared" with flight deck, so not optimal. But River B2 primary roles is patrol (with 25 knot speed) and if "a small fraction of MHC tasks" can be added as a part time job, may be good enough?

Then, adding an enclosure = make it a hangar, is how much useful in addition, other than capability to carry a Wildcat?

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Re: River Class (OPV) (RN)

Post by Old RN »

Why does not the RN buy some of these to install ln the container areas on the Batch 2s?
http://roe.ru/eng/catalog/naval-systems ... ns/klab-k/
:lol: :lol:

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Re: River Class (OPV) (RN)

Post by Repulse »

donald_of_tokyo, an enclosure would help enormously with support, maintain and avoid weather/sea damage of larger off-board systems.
”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: River Class (OPV) (RN)

Post by donald_of_tokyo »

Repulse wrote:donald_of_tokyo, an enclosure would help enormously with support, maintain and avoid weather/sea damage of larger off-board systems.
But ,Venari 85 are designed to carry their MCM drones in open deck. No difference to River B2. For the RoV, they do have covered area. But, River B2 will not be required to carry out ALL of the tasks MHC shall do.

On the other hand, enclosure is costy, and consumes many of the center-of-gravity margins. I myself think enclosure "might be nice", but
- lack of Wildcat number, and the report that a 90m ship cannot operate helicopter efficiently
- apparent big flexibility a large open mission deck provides (not limited to the enclosure size)
makes me wonder, open mission deck itself has its own merit?

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Re: River Class (OPV) (RN)

Post by Tempest414 »

donald_of_tokyo wrote:Currently, River B2 provides
- 2 "mission decks" in the waist, with a size of ~10x4.5 m, covered by 16t crane
- 1 "mission deck or flight deck", with a size of ~21x13.6 m, on which 1/3 is covered by 16t crane.
I guess this will work very nice as a "mission deck". May be able to contribute "a half" of what will be provided by, say, Venari 85?
Given these spaces building four 10 x 4 x 4 meter and two 12 x 4 x 4 meter containers as said with roller shutter doors would mean the B2's could carry UAVs up to MQ-8c plus a few containers could have side shutters and a small crane to allow other kit to be deployed over the side

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Re: River Class (OPV) (RN)

Post by Digger22 »

Not sure that I completely agree. The Wildcat numbers limit options, but considering the number of ships usually deployed I don't think it's a deal breaker, and besides the ability to land a Merlin is more overkill than operating a Wildcat. As for moving the Funnel, cost dictates the removal of the current structure rather than mess with the Funnel? Besides unles there's a war, I can't see any Structural mods happening regrettably. And no one wants a war. Unles Iran continues pushing in the Strait. Well done Montrose!

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Re: River Class (OPV) (RN)

Post by Repulse »

donald_of_tokyo wrote:But, River B2 will not be required to carry out ALL of the tasks MHC shall do.
True, but given the MHC programme is unlikely to be focused on delivering ships, the reuse of existing platforms such as the B2 Rivers will be key. Also, looking more broadly such as UUV ASW drones - the potential roles are increasingly not decreasing.

However my pitch is more towards a B3 (Avenger style) Class :P
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Re: River Class (OPV) (RN)

Post by SKB »



Another angle.


(ships, planes and gaming) 13th July 2019

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Re: River Class (OPV) (RN)

Post by Ianmb17 »

Perfect upgrade for rivers


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Re: River Class (OPV) (RN)

Post by donald_of_tokyo »

As I proposed in the escort thread, I think RN shall better stop pretending "19 escort" saga even though the actual sea-going days shows virtually only 12 is active, and shall cancel 5 T31 to get 1 more T26 and up-arm T45 and other assets.

Along this line, it will be River B2s to carry out most of (say, two-thirds of ?) the tasks currently assumed to the 5 T31e.

Fortunately, RN are going to have 5 River B2 very soon. At the same time, keeping 3 (or 4) River B1 for EEZ/fishery patrol is technically very easy. Then, up-arming River B2 will be of great importance if RN can cancel 5 T31e. What is an option here?

1: Apart from many "high-grade" up-arming plans, just adding the LMM launcher to the forward 30mm gun is a very good starter. For "more", adding two 30 mm +LMM turrets on their bridge-wings will also be a very practical approach. With commonality, additional naval engineers will be limited. With 360 degree coverage, (supported with 12.7mm and 7.62mm guns), it will make River B2 a good "close-in fighter" for fast-boat attacks.

2: Another option is, of course, adding a 20mm CIWS or two. But, if you look at the system's photo, it is evident that Phalanx is much more complex than a 30mm turret, and maintenance load needed is much more higher. But, Phalanx can shoot down simple ASMs, as those operated by Houthi-rebels or even by Hizballah. No, Phalanx is not good against super-sonic ASMs, but super-sonic ASM is very large and costy, and enemies operating it is limited. So, adding 20mm CIWS is also a good option, depending on the theater those ships will be sent.

3: Because land-based air-cover can be expected in many cases, lack of helicopter can be accepted. But, adding a UAV will also be a very good option.

4: Other key assets will be, LRAD (sonic weapon), strong search lights, smoke grenades, powerful water nozzles, RHIB-based patrol USVs, and underwater frogman detection high-frequency sonar. Note these assets are not "high-end" expensive weapons, but is very useful in anti-terrorists patrol, I guess.

These 4 options are pretty much "laser focused" on anti-terrorism, or in-quasi-war situations, I think this is very realistic/practical "up-arming" of River B2.


With LMM becoming reality, those "modestly up-armed" River B2 is more and more "easy to imagine" now :D

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Re: River Class (OPV) (RN)

Post by SKB »

@Donald

What do you not understand about "offshore patrol vessel"? Stop trying to turn a River into a regular surface warship. It's a patrol boat!
There is a P (patrol) on the side of their hulls, not a D (destroyer), or F (frigates, corvettes, sloops).

Stop it.

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Re: River Class (OPV) (RN)

Post by donald_of_tokyo »

SKB wrote:@Donald

What do you not understand about "offshore patrol vessel"? Stop trying to turn a River into a regular surface warship. It's a patrol boat!
There is a P (patrol) on the side of their hulls, not a D (destroyer), or F (frigates, corvettes, sloops).

Stop it.
I do understand your point. As I stated many times, I am NOT a strong supporter of up-arming River B2 (with large guns, hangars, missiles etc). What I proposed here is well within the "P", never D nor F. In other words, I think we do not need D or F to counter terrorists. For example, LRAD is an equipment valid for Patrol ships, not only Frigates. LMM will never make an OPV into Frigate, it is anyway just MANPADs. 20mm CIWS is a weapon even carried on RFA vessels, and of course we do not call them a Frigate.

I hope it is more clearer.

In short, I totally agree to your point. But, I do not think my proposal is aiming at making a frigate out of OPV. It is still well within "OPV".

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Re: River Class (OPV) (RN)

Post by Jake1992 »

donald_of_tokyo wrote:
SKB wrote:@Donald

What do you not understand about "offshore patrol vessel"? Stop trying to turn a River into a regular surface warship. It's a patrol boat!
There is a P (patrol) on the side of their hulls, not a D (destroyer), or F (frigates, corvettes, sloops).

Stop it.
I do understand your point. As I stated many times, I am NOT a strong supporter of up-arming River B2 (with large guns, hangars, missiles etc). What I proposed here is well within the "P", never D nor F. In other words, I think we do not need D or F to counter terrorists. For example, LRAD is an equipment valid for Patrol ships, not only Frigates. LMM will never make an OPV into Frigate, it is anyway just MANPADs. 20mm CIWS is a weapon even carried on RFA vessels, and of course we do not call them a Frigate.

I hope it is more clearer.

In short, I totally agree to your point. But, I do not think my proposal is aiming at making a frigate out of OPV. It is still well within "OPV".
On this I do agree with you Donald I believe this should be fitted to every 30mm in the fleet.

One thing Iv been wondering since this all came out is with the potential of moving to the 40mm especially if A140 is chosen could this system be fitted on the 40mm as well ?

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Re: River Class (OPV) (RN)

Post by Lord Jim »

Or if the vessels have the older manual mounts then add two or more of the three rounds infantry firing pedestals for Starstreak.LMM bolted to the deck.

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Re: River Class (OPV) (RN)

Post by donald_of_tokyo »

Lord Jim wrote:Or if the vessels have the older manual mounts then add two or more of the three rounds infantry firing pedestals for Starstreak. LMM bolted to the deck.
Is the "the three rounds infantry firing pedestal" stabilized? If not, it will not be of great use... Also, if the system is connected to CMS, it is better.

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Re: River Class (OPV) (RN)

Post by Lord Jim »

Aren't the older cannon mounts not stabilised? Using the three round pedestal would be the basic option to equip RN and RFA platforms obviously, but is an infantryman can it a fast moving target from the shoulder on land, a crew member braced using a pedestal launcher, should be able to hit a much slower target, even if it is manoeuvring from a ship. Obvious more capable options are out there if funding is available. Linking the cannon mounts to the CMS and the ships other sensors is the top end option but will probably only be available to a few vessels. The Rivers are fortunate in having a gun already linked as such but older vessels and RFAs do not, but again could be retrofitted if funding were available. Saying that the return for such funding would be a step change in capability for many of the Royal Navy's platforms and should be looked at given the favourable cost/benefit result.

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Re: River Class (OPV) (RN)

Post by Tempest414 »

when it comes to the Rivers I would like to see the five ships scaled for 50 LMM and 25 Starstreak giving each ship the capability to carry 15 missiles allowing them to have 5 ready missiles and 10 spare

It was also good to note that the 5 round pannier used on the 30mm mount is the same 5 round pannier to be fitted to the Wildcats which should help keep costs down

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Re: River Class (OPV) (RN)

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Image

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Re: River Class (OPV) (RN)

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Re: River Class (OPV) (RN)

Post by donald_of_tokyo »

Great photo. (source "")
Image

Some notes:
- can observe two River B1 (Medway and Forth), and four T45 (and one T23). Very excited by the two River B2s, but sad to see four T45 in port, reflecting low sea-going days.
- photo is taken from QNLZ, I guess. QE + T45 + River B2 collaboration. Great.

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Re: River Class (OPV) (RN)

Post by donald_of_tokyo »

Although a bit late post.

The movie in "", is pretty much worth looking at. Medway, very beautiful.

Also see "".

Admirable is, the orientation/arrangements of the ship is clearly visible. It makes me imagine many options to be seen. Although the ship is not large, we can see significant deck-spaces left for future. It may not be up-arming it, but it may be carrying UAV/USVs in some tasks. For EEZ/fishery patrol, its "clean" arrangement is very "suited for purpose" = beautiful, as well.

River Batch 2, I like it. :thumbup: Image

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Re: River Class (OPV) (RN)

Post by abc123 »

The only fault is that she lacks hanger.
Fortune favors brave sir, said Carrot cheerfully.
What's her position about heavily armed, well prepared and overmanned armies?
Oh, noone's ever heard of Fortune favoring them, sir.
According to General Tacticus, it's because they favor themselves…

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Re: River Class (OPV) (RN)

Post by Poiuytrewq »

abc123 wrote:The only fault is that she lacks hanger.
I agree and I think it's fair to say that if the Batch2 Rivers had of been fitted with Hangers the T31's would never have happened.

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Re: River Class (OPV) (RN)

Post by Jake1992 »

abc123 wrote:The only fault is that she lacks hanger.
For me there’s a few things that could of been done to make the design much more versatile.

1 - spilt the funnel to allow a UAV hanger
2 - bring that hanger to where the current crane mount is and have a inclosed boat bay each side.
3 - reduce the flight deck to wildcat size and use the extra space rear as an open work deck with the 16t crane.

These changes would of made them very nice globule patrol vessels, but as just EEZ Vessels there bang on as are.

It way the rush to get them in build that made for the misses in improved design.

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