donald_of_tokyo wrote: ↑10 Apr 2022, 14:00
Looking at Ukraina, I'm getting more concerned about how to get the landing ship out of horizon.
IMO Ukraine has reminded us on how difficult an opposed landing is to make and how easy it is for defenders to inflict significant damage. With the increase in A2D capabilities this is also not just limited to tier1 militaries.
donald_of_tokyo wrote: ↑10 Apr 2022, 14:00
So, keeping the LSD/LPD 40-100 km (or 20-50 nm) away from the shore will be essential.
Yes, but OTH is part of the answer, given transit times and vulnerability of ship-to-shore connectors it is not the full answer. That’s way the suggestion to invest in a small number of large ships is flawed IMO. From previous interviews it seems both the RN and USN has accepted this.
donald_of_tokyo wrote: ↑10 Apr 2022, 14:00
Do we need CB-90 type "man-only" (no vehicle) landing boats which can steam at 40 knots? If yes, from where these boats will go? RN/RM will surely need tens of drones to scan and constantly monitor the shore, but from where they will deploy?
IMO multiple RM platforms are required - I see four:
- Small fast “man-only” insertion craft capable of moving section sized units.
- Small fast landing craft capable of moving a section of troops with light supporting vehicles or armed drones.
- Medium fast landing craft capable of moving a troop with vehicles (a couple of Vikings) or 25t of supplies.
- Medium fire support / littoral patrol ship armed with guns and short ranged missiles, capable of securing a littoral area (with OTH support), provide a level of NGFS and “ride shotgun” to protect landing craft sailing in OTH.
The first two types should be deployable on LPDs (and LSDs) and also on T26s/T31s, OPVs and RFAs.
I would also see Mexiflotes being part of the logistics chain, but obviously only when the landing ground is secured.
donald_of_tokyo wrote: ↑10 Apr 2022, 14:00
… can we allocate them another task (such as MCM mother ship and/or littoral ASW asset) so that they can find good "other jobs" when no amphibious operation is there (= even in war time, amphibious operation is only a small fraction of the time).
This is a must - The ability to deploy MCM/Survey drones will be key. I see the vessels coming out of Project Vahana and Project Wilton delivering the platforms for this.
ASW against subs and drones will become increasingly important, part of this can be done using helicopters, drones and ASW frigates - but I would say where putting ASW capabilities on the “Medium fire support / littoral patrol ship” is also required.
Lord Jim wrote: ↑11 Apr 2022, 02:00
Regarding the former, a faster vessel that what existing today will be need though probably not the size of the LSU. A vessel able to carry up to two Viking would be the ideal, to be able to move at speeds greater the 20 kts and ideally have some form of radar signature reduction, possibly having an enclosed load space.
Agree with this. The large LCUs were designed to deliver a Challenger Tank over the beach - for many reasons this should no longer be a priority requirement, and would say something half the size would be about right.