Future ASW

Contains threads on Royal Navy equipment of the past, present and future.
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Halidon
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Re: Future ASW

Post by Halidon »

ArmChairCivvy wrote:
AKA submarine tender, of the old.
- now that the SSNs don't (in the main) need one


"Need" no, though they sure could benefit from them.
I'll try to reword it: A less diminished need, that is now coming back?
Sorry I didn't mean for my reply to seem sharp. An nuke can operate effectively without a tender thanks to it's reactor, unlike an SSK/P which is operationally crippled if it has to be tied to accessible ports. However, the crew and payload of a nuke have limits which a tender can extend and thus make the best even better. There's increasing calls in the USN for new tenders to replace the last 2 Land class, part of the hesitation has been that it's a lot of money for a specialized class. It's possible the RN and USN might have similar lines of thinking going forward: that if sub tenders take on UUV-tending as well as their SSN/SSBN tending role, it makes the investment a lot more attractive.

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Re: Future ASW

Post by Lord Jim »

Would having tenders also open the way for the possible use of high endurance SSKs as well?

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Re: Future ASW

Post by Poiuytrewq »

Lord Jim wrote:How about a converted tanker like in the Spy who loved me!! :D
Do you mean this one?

I take it the moon pool on the RRS Sir David Attenborough isn't going to be this big :lol:
image.jpg

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donald_of_tokyo
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Re: Future ASW

Post by donald_of_tokyo »

SW1 wrote:https://www.boeing.com/resources/boeing ... _sheet.pdf

This would suggest it has a total depth of 8.5ft.
Yes, in total it is 2.6 x2.6 m in width and total depth. I understand NATO standard well dock depth is 1.5 m? (might be 1.25 m?).

I guess the top yellow part, which will be above water, is not as high as 1.1 m.

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ArmChairCivvy
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Re: Future ASW

Post by ArmChairCivvy »

I totally agree with your conclusion. As for our Diligence
Halidon wrote:However, the crew and payload of a nuke have limits which a tender can extend and thus make the best even better. There's increasing calls in the USN for new tenders to replace the last 2 Land class, part of the hesitation has been that it's a lot of money for a specialized class.
in my books a big reason for keeping it for so long (it is not exactly a tender) was that should something, even minor, happen to our SSNs while East of Suez, then...
- now we have Duqm, where both dock dimensions and security can be provided/ arranged to suit the occasion
Ever-lasting truths: Multi-year budgets/ planning by necessity have to address the painful questions; more often than not the Either-Or prevails over Both-And.
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Re: Future ASW

Post by SW1 »

donald_of_tokyo wrote:
SW1 wrote:https://www.boeing.com/resources/boeing ... _sheet.pdf

This would suggest it has a total depth of 8.5ft.
Yes, in total it is 2.6 x2.6 m in width and total depth. I understand NATO standard well dock depth is 1.5 m? (might be 1.25 m?).

I guess the top yellow part, which will be above water, is not as high as 1.1 m.
I thought landing craft full loaded had a draft of about 1.5ms. Not sure how deep the yellow part is other than gauging from the bloke standing in that part in the picture a few comments back.

It appears the way future asw is going is different to what gone before to achieve the same thing. Only problem is our ships entering service in 10 years time are configure to fight that battle the same way as we did In 1980.

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donald_of_tokyo
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Re: Future ASW

Post by donald_of_tokyo »

SW1 wrote:It appears the way future asw is going is different to what gone before to achieve the same thing. Only problem is our ships entering service in 10 years time are configure to fight that battle the same way as we did In 1980.
Not sure. These drones are designed to self deploy from forward base. No problem I see. ASW is a system. Not just a CAPTAS-4, or UUV carried on escorts and Merlin and P-8.

I personally think those self-deploying UUV are replacing the SOSUS and SURTASS which were both very effective, and centerpiece of ASW tactics in 1990s.

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Re: Future ASW

Post by Lord Jim »

I wonder if NATO should build a UUV support facility on Iceland, would seem a logical location and allow a screen of UUV to be maintained in the UK-Iceland-Greenland gap as a sort of mobile SOSUS net.

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Halidon
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Re: Future ASW

Post by Halidon »

Lord Jim wrote:I wonder if NATO should build a UUV support facility on Iceland, would seem a logical location and allow a screen of UUV to be maintained in the UK-Iceland-Greenland gap as a sort of mobile SOSUS net.
Might well make sense, but we're a ways out yet. There won't be a sizable NATO ASW UUV fleet for some time.

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ArmChairCivvy
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Re: Future ASW

Post by ArmChairCivvy »

Lord Jim wrote:I wonder if NATO should build a UUV support facility on Iceland, would seem a logical location
Something like this https://qz.com/376743/how-norway-lost-c ... navy-base/
- cost a cool half bn at the time (in today's money?)
Ever-lasting truths: Multi-year budgets/ planning by necessity have to address the painful questions; more often than not the Either-Or prevails over Both-And.
If everyone is thinking the same, then someone is not thinking (attributed to Patton)

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Re: Future ASW

Post by Timmymagic »

Looks like the RN are finally looking to get in the XLUUV game...

Unless QinetiQ, James Fisher, Ultra, Atlas, Thales and BAE get their skates on now this one is only going to one place...Boeing Orca. It would be nice to not have a direct award to Boeing for once...



https://www.gov.uk/government/publicati ... capability

ASW Barrier operations (TAPS?) specifically mentioned, sounds almost like an unmanned Upholder role protecting the northern channel. US focus with Orca is primarily MCM.

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Re: Future ASW

Post by shark bait »

Sounds exciting, if the RN are ever going to reintroduce SSK's this is probably the best way to do it. A small fleet of these operating in the north could be a great addition if they can find away round the communication problem, how are the US navy thinking they can work around it?

By the way its written it sounds like they already have a vehicle in mind, and they want to have a play.
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Re: Future ASW

Post by Timmymagic »

shark bait wrote: A small fleet of these operating in the north could be a great addition if they can find away round the communication problem
There was some mention of improved underwater comms (what was journalistically termed an 'underwater internet'..) a while ago, not sure what could be expected of those though. The sensible option would be a towed comms buoy with aerial protruding above the surface if regular comms capability was required without the UUV having to return to the surface to raise its comms mast.

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Re: Future ASW

Post by donald_of_tokyo »

Interesting investment.

It is trial, and not intended to do anything to be purchased. Just trial. Also, the budget is very low. With 1.5m GBP for 1 year, the team can hire only 6-7 person at most, very small team. The real output will be several years away, but, I totally agree this is the way to go.

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Re: Future ASW

Post by donald_of_tokyo »

"IXblue Unveils SEADRiX USV For Persistent ASW Missions" by Naval News. (Xav-san)

Supported by UK, it is a very promising approach. I like it.

https://www.navalnews.com/event-news/ma ... -missions/

DRiX is a 8m long, 10 days endurance USV, to be equipped with SEA's KraitArray TASS.

There are however a number of ideas, chief amongst which:
The use of a pack of DriXes, launched from a low-tech mother vessel (from a military stand point) such as a supply vessel. They are launched, form a line with a spacing between each dictated by the mission and local propagation conditions, and they cover a wide area for a long time (many days, including replenishment if needed).
The use of DriX+Krait Array individually, amongst a larger force. Launched from an escort vessel, it allows one to put extra sensors in the water, to clear a choke point or protect a given area (a CVOA for instance).
Multi static is quite complicated to achieve, but since it relies on multi platforms, yes, it could be an option in the future.


https://www.ixblue.com/sites/default/fi ... asheet.pdf
Also note
• A sea-proven USV able to operate in high sea states (at least SS5);
• Very low radiated noise;
• Endurance of up to 10 days at 4 knots, one day at 14 knots
(depending on sea state and environment);
• Fitted with a LARS which can be installed in place of a
traditional RHIB on any naval asset (also deployable using a
deckcrane or an A-frame);



https://hiveminer.com/Tags/drix/Timeline
Image

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Re: Future ASW

Post by SW1 »

Donald

Yet more evidence of path to sensors not platforms, like carriers have a variety of aircraft so the future will be a ship that carries lots of small craft.

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Re: Future ASW

Post by Repulse »

Linking to my comment on the RM post, are we potentially getting to the stage that getting the 2nd LPD back into active service, which is capable of operating these off board systems (and smaller RM craft) in higher threat environments, more important than the two new FLSSs and even worth sacrificing a few MCMs?
”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: Future ASW

Post by SW1 »

Repulse wrote:Linking to my comment on the RM post, are we potentially getting to the stage that getting the 2nd LPD back into active service, which is capable of operating these off board systems (and smaller RM craft) in higher threat environments, more important than the two new FLSSs and even worth sacrificing a few MCMs?
Yes the whole theme and strategy is connected imo. But I wouldn’t be doing half measures I’d be binning type 31 and spending whatever’s left of the budget on such craft an air systems.

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Re: Future ASW

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SW1 wrote:I wouldn’t be doing half measures I’d be binning type 31 and spending whatever’s left of the budget on such craft an air systems.
Not an outlandish proposal, but I would go for another T26, keep the 4 B1/B1.5 Rivers, and some modest upgrades to the B2 Rivers in addition to freeing up some cash.
”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: Future ASW

Post by Lord Jim »

I agree we should bring the second Albion back into full service, even if only to operate as a trials vessels for different small craft and operating techniques. We have a very capable and flexible platform just sitting around doing nothing.

I also agree with spending the T-31e budget elsewhere and I would say the same for the LSS. The only exception to the former would be for the current RFI to be torn up and the platform cast as an escort sized mothership for various small craft, manned or unmanned. This would allow the platform to be tailored to the type of mission it is currently assigned and could also dovetail into the replacement mine warfare programme, allow technologies to mature in service prior to their possible use in this,

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Re: Future ASW

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Look at the speed though, that makes operating with a manned fleet almost impossible.

Where Sea Glider's do pose an interesting opportunity is protecting fixed infrastructure, because the low speed doesn't matter in this application.

The probability of a sea glider detecting a sub is small, so to off-set this lots are needed, requiring a cheap & easy production line. If they can be mass produced could a shoal of glider's act as a trip wire to direct the humans?
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Re: Future ASW

Post by donald_of_tokyo »

shark bait wrote:Look at the speed though, that makes operating with a manned fleet almost impossible.

Where Sea Glider's do pose an interesting opportunity is protecting fixed infrastructure, because the low speed doesn't matter in this application.

The probability of a sea glider detecting a sub is small, so to off-set this lots are needed, requiring a cheap & easy production line. If they can be mass produced could a shoal of glider's act as a trip wire to direct the humans?
I see no problem here. These ASW-USV are replacement for SURTASS, not TACATASS of escorts. SURTASS was not escorting task force, but steaming independently.

Also, being USV = surface vessel is very important, because they can join multi-static ASW. UUV = submerged drones cannot join it.

Another good thing about SEADRiX USV is that it is "only" 8m long. Making it 11m long is doable, and this will make its endurance a few times longer.

However, I agree they will not be escorting CVTF. Steaming a long distance with 16-20 kt cruise speed cannot be done with small vessel. To do this, the vessel will need to be 1500-2000 t large, at least.

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Re: Future ASW

Post by SW1 »

Much ASW work done while cruising at 20knts?

Though it was more like 6-10 and quietly.

These typ of things maybe deployed at choke points a day or 2 prior to a high value asset arriving or transiting an area or maybe used to monitor a large area of water where a constant patrol is taking place.

It doesn’t have to replace ever single part of every single likely mission.

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Re: Future ASW

Post by donald_of_tokyo »

SW1 wrote:Much ASW work done while cruising at 20knts?

Though it was more like 6-10 and quietly.
I guess this is the reason ASW escorts "dash at speed, and listen in slow"? And these USV drones can follow it for only a short period.

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Re: Future ASW

Post by shark bait »

donald_of_tokyo wrote:These ASW-USV are replacement for SURTASS
Exactly, a network of these could become mobile SURTASS. This is distinct from the rest of the Navys operations, and there's no need to start changing the rest of the fleet to accommodate them.
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