tomuk wrote: ↑19 Dec 2022, 01:03….does the mooted LRG (S) need better AAW coverage? Buy one extra hull and convert one of the T31 to give two AAW variants. Or simarly with the MH or ASW requirements.
The other thing not to forget is you could always go more radical with an Absalon variant or the suggested CODLOG variant.
The one variant RN does not need is the 57mm/40mm, 12x CAMM, NS-100 variant. It’s too much and not enough. Specifically designed by the bean-counters for chasing pirates and drug runners it would be a liability in a real conflict vs peer opposition.
Fully considering the ongoing financial situation perhaps PODS has the answer to providing credible escorts whilst adhering to the budgetary constraints.
If the Enhanced GP variant had 57mm/40mm, 24x CAMM cells, NS-100, 2150 and space allocated for up to 16x NSM it would be an acceptable baseline. The two reconfigurable mission spaces in the stern and amidships could then add containerised Captas 4 compact and additional CAMM if required.
This compromise removes the need for multiple variants increasing commonality and provides a scalable platform to keep the bean counters happy. The big additional expense would be 2150 but building Frigates without sonar is negligent IMO so the money to fit a credible hull mounted sonar must be found.
This would allow the
same vessel to be reconfigured in various ways to retain an appropriate level of expenditure and crew size for any given tasking whilst retaining the ability to quickly re-role for a high intensity conflict.
General Patrol in low threat areas
57mm/2x 40mm, 12 CAMM, Wildcat
Surface/Land Strike
57mm/2x 40mm, 24 CAMM, 16x NSM, Loitering Drones via PODS, 2x Wildcat
ASW/MCM
57mm/2x 40mm, 24 CAMM, (2150), Captas 4 compact and ASROC via PODS. XLUUV, UUV and USV deployed via amidships deck crane. 1x Merlin
LRG/LSG Escort
57mm/2x 40mm, 24 CAMM, (2150),16x NSM, Loitering Drones, Captas 4 compact and ASROC via PODS. XLUUV for ASW plus 1x Wildcat
CSG Goalkeeper
57mm/2x 40mm plus massive load out of CAMM via PODS.
Clearly the T31 could be a highly versatile vessel without investing a lot more to procure specialist variants. An AAW variant really needs to be a specialist and would be much better suited to the CSG Goalkeeper role than the Enhanced GP variant. If funds allowed, adding 16x Mk41 (Strike) cells to the AAW variant to allow a TLAM capability would be great also.
A mixed procurement of six EGP and four AAW variants would be a highly satisfactory outcome for the T31 programme and give RN some welcome strength in depth once again.