NZ needs 4 Frigates, They don't all need to be uber models, pulling over a frieghter to check it's cargo can be done by a corvette. The OPV is designed for operation in high sea states, so global ops shouldn't be a problem when required to back up the frigates.
In litteral warfare we have been involved in, the biggest threat has been suicide speedboats, mines, and mini subs.
Added sensors
Harbour rated sonar such as CMAS-36/39 MULTIPURPOSE HULL MOUNTED SONAR
http://www.c-techltd.com/omni.htm
The Bofor 57mm Mk3 weighs 6000 kg with 1000 rounds but minus sensors, the same weight as the Phalanx system, so that 12 added tons between them, plus basic sensors for the Bofor. I picked the Bofor for it's light weight and small foot print, there appears to be no room on the foredeck for anything bigger.
Th Phalanx mounted in place of the current MSI 25mm, gives a reasonable coverage to the sides with it's placement away from the superstructure, it is basically a stand alone system, and it can deal with aircraft, missile and speed boat threats. Mounted low to keep weight low.
The 2 MSI combined 25mm Bushmaster cannon and Mistral missile system is a lightwieght minimal intrusion system for protection from high speed suicide threats whether speedboat or civilian light plane/helo. Mounted to cover Phalanx blind spot at forward edge of flightdeck port and starboard, not to intrude on flight ops.
A surface to surface missile system, could be 2 x twin Pengrin mounted at the rear, range to horizon, protection from FAC and corvettes owned by many 3rd world countries. Remove 1 large RHI, mount other 90 degrees to current position, missiles replace missing seaboat. Relatively lightweigh system.
Torpedo, 2 x twin tube shipborne sets, many 3rd world countries have submarines, mostly obsolent, but still deady if you have no way to counter them. Knowing you can will encourage the owners to keep their distance. Mounted under flightdeck to port and starboard.
Airborne assett being the current Kamen Supersprite of which one can be carried.
The OPV is a 1800 ton vessel, the total added weight shouldn't be more than about 25 tons, and it is all mounted relatively low, at deck level, with Phalanx a deck above, and lightweight basic sensors being the only additional system to be mounted high on the ship.
Yes it will cost, the Anzac upgrade will cost substantially more, the C130, the Orion upgrades are all costing hundreds of millions each, just one of those costs you need to accept. Both major opposition parties are promising big defence budget increases, and are likely to be in government by the year end, so we will see. We are not broke, NZ has run big surpluses for years, it's just that the Labour government prefers to put the surplus to other uses, and there has been much controversy lately over poor quality spending on it's pet areas, largely on alternative groups (you have more likelyhood of getting funding if you put maori, lesbian, gay, alternative to family in the proposal)
We have few large maritine platforms, those we have need to be truely multirole, which is why I would add the systems to the MRV as well. Then we have 5 armed multirole platforms that can be mixed to the overseas operational requirement.
This is new class of frigate / MRV that combines the abilities of the MRV with those of a frigate to create a expeditionary frigate. Interesting concept. Our MRV could be a expeditionary corvette
http://www.deagel.com/pandora/?p=pm00218001
In litteral warfare we have been involved in, the biggest threat has been suicide speedboats, mines, and mini subs.
Added sensors
Harbour rated sonar such as CMAS-36/39 MULTIPURPOSE HULL MOUNTED SONAR
http://www.c-techltd.com/omni.htm
The Bofor 57mm Mk3 weighs 6000 kg with 1000 rounds but minus sensors, the same weight as the Phalanx system, so that 12 added tons between them, plus basic sensors for the Bofor. I picked the Bofor for it's light weight and small foot print, there appears to be no room on the foredeck for anything bigger.
Th Phalanx mounted in place of the current MSI 25mm, gives a reasonable coverage to the sides with it's placement away from the superstructure, it is basically a stand alone system, and it can deal with aircraft, missile and speed boat threats. Mounted low to keep weight low.
The 2 MSI combined 25mm Bushmaster cannon and Mistral missile system is a lightwieght minimal intrusion system for protection from high speed suicide threats whether speedboat or civilian light plane/helo. Mounted to cover Phalanx blind spot at forward edge of flightdeck port and starboard, not to intrude on flight ops.
A surface to surface missile system, could be 2 x twin Pengrin mounted at the rear, range to horizon, protection from FAC and corvettes owned by many 3rd world countries. Remove 1 large RHI, mount other 90 degrees to current position, missiles replace missing seaboat. Relatively lightweigh system.
Torpedo, 2 x twin tube shipborne sets, many 3rd world countries have submarines, mostly obsolent, but still deady if you have no way to counter them. Knowing you can will encourage the owners to keep their distance. Mounted under flightdeck to port and starboard.
Airborne assett being the current Kamen Supersprite of which one can be carried.
The OPV is a 1800 ton vessel, the total added weight shouldn't be more than about 25 tons, and it is all mounted relatively low, at deck level, with Phalanx a deck above, and lightweight basic sensors being the only additional system to be mounted high on the ship.
Yes it will cost, the Anzac upgrade will cost substantially more, the C130, the Orion upgrades are all costing hundreds of millions each, just one of those costs you need to accept. Both major opposition parties are promising big defence budget increases, and are likely to be in government by the year end, so we will see. We are not broke, NZ has run big surpluses for years, it's just that the Labour government prefers to put the surplus to other uses, and there has been much controversy lately over poor quality spending on it's pet areas, largely on alternative groups (you have more likelyhood of getting funding if you put maori, lesbian, gay, alternative to family in the proposal)
We have few large maritine platforms, those we have need to be truely multirole, which is why I would add the systems to the MRV as well. Then we have 5 armed multirole platforms that can be mixed to the overseas operational requirement.
This is new class of frigate / MRV that combines the abilities of the MRV with those of a frigate to create a expeditionary frigate. Interesting concept. Our MRV could be a expeditionary corvette
http://www.deagel.com/pandora/?p=pm00218001
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