Royal Navy Mothership

[Galrahn]

On this forum I have claimed many times I believe motherships represent the future of naval warfare in the 21st century. I was very pleased today when I noticed that BAE revealed their new UAV mothership concept. I uploaded a pic, but until it is approved I have more pictures here for those looking to check out.

Particularly, I'm interested to hear what people think about this concept. I like the idea, I'd have to learn more details to support this specific model. This is the BAE press release.

MOTHERSHIP FOR UNMANNED VEHICLES LOOKS TO THE FUTURE11 Sep 2007 | Ref. 286/2007

BAE Systems has developed a new concept warship, the UXV Combatant, designed to operate in a future battle space dominated by land, sea and air unmanned vehicles.

Using a proven naval hull form to launch, operate and recover large numbers of small unmanned vehicles for extended periods, the UXV plays the role of mother ship - a permanent base and control centre for the futuristic unmanned land, sea and air vehicles before, during and on completion of their missions. The 8000-tonne vessel, an evolution of the multi-role warship, is not expected to enter service until post 2020.

The design provides a cost-effective solution to the evolving challenges facing the modern navy. Features will include:

• Flexible and efficient twin flight decks
• Variable ski jump
• Rotary aviation facilities
• Below-deck hangar
• Smart munitions

The weapons are a future development of the Type 45 combat suite. With the UXV support capability, performing multiple roles combined with an easily adaptable design, which moves the concept of stealth to the next level.

Propulsion options include full integrated electrical propulsion with twin propeller shafts/motors supplied by gas turbine and diesel alternators. Alternatively, cruising power can be supplied by two shafts/motors and diesel alternators with boost power from one gas turbine driving two water jets.

The concept brings together naval technologies developed through collaboration with partners such as Rolls Royce and across BAE Systems business units, as part of a programme of continuous improvement.

Am I alone in seeing the potential here? On the first link you can see the a picture of a model that shows a rear ramp, presumably for vehicles and boats, but there could be specialization there. This seems like something straight out of the US Naval War College in the late 90s, something I think Admiral Cebrowski would very much be excited about.

Would definately appreciate comments, particularly shipbuilders on how stable something like this would be with 2 angled decks. If you notice the model, it appears designed for UCAVs. I'll edit this thread adding the big pic once it is approved.

 

[Tasman]

On this forum I have claimed many times I believe motherships represent the future of naval warfare in the 21st century. I was very pleased today when I noticed that BAE revealed their new UAV mothership concept. I uploaded a pic, but until it is approved I have more pictures here for those looking to check out.

Particularly, I'm interested to hear what people think about this concept. I like the idea, I'd have to learn more details to support this specific model. This is the BAE press release.

Am I alone in seeing the potential here? On the first link you can see the a picture of a model that shows a rear ramp, presumably for vehicles and boats, but there could be specialization there. This seems like something straight out of the US Naval War College in the late 90s, something I think Admiral Cebrowski would very much be excited about.

Would definately appreciate comments, particularly shipbuilders on how stable something like this would be with 2 angled decks. If you notice the model, it appears designed for UCAVs. I'll edit this thread adding the big pic once it is approved.

I can see value in a 'mothership' but I worry that too much is being crammed into this concept vessel. The Japanese Hyuga DDH will be able to provide additional helos and UAV’s for her accompanying escorts together with enhanced maintenance facilities, though she doesn't have a dock. I like the Hyuga concept as a flotilla leader but I think the BAE ship is attempting too big a leap. I would like to see a much simpler design. AEGIS, twin angled decks, and under deck hangar and a docking well all in one ship is a bit much IMO.

I don't have any credentials to comment on its stability with any credibility but I must say it looks to me as though topweight may be an issue.

BTW, I also think it looks remarkably ugly. It reminds me of the story of the horse designed by a committee that turned out to be a camel!

Tas

 

[riksavage]

The way of the future, particularly if combined with say a Naval version of BAE's Taranis UCAV (defined as: stealthy, fast, able to carry out deployment of a range of munitions over a number of targets, and able to defend itself against manned and other unmanned enemy aircraft).

I doubt the flyboys would be happy though having the manned role totally replaced by UAV's. On the plus side a much more cost-effective way of deploying maritime strike / ISTAR / surveillance etc. Cutting out flight crews reduces training costs, accommodation requirements, food, watering and the need to constantly massage huge egos!

 

[Galrahn]

I am fairly familiar with AI systems for unmanned aircraft, and we are decades from taking the manned element out of the loop, many decades. Judgement isn't easily programmed. I think what we will most likely see for at least the next 30-40 years is combinations of manned and unmanned systems, with the manned aircraft elements able to deploy unmanned elements in escort as weapon systems.

Most AI experts believe governments will be very hesitant to go completely unmanned, because at the point of decision there are factors AI's will simply not be able to account for. Unmanned systems will likely advance to be more lethal one day than manned systems, but that means little when an aviator must make a rules of engagement decisions in a split second before or even after permission to engage has been given.

 

[Galrahn]

I don't have any credentials to comment on its stability with any credibility but I must say it looks to me as though topweight may be an issue.

I was thinking the same thing, which is why I asked.

I think it is certainly an interesting concept, and it is nice to see the Brits bringing truly innovative naval concepts to the market. They have centuries of history doing this.

 

[harryriedl]

I was thinking the same thing, which is why I asked.

I think it is certainly an interesting concept, and it is nice to see the Brits bringing truly innovative naval concepts to the market. They have centuries of history doing this.

nice to see the air caperble spruance concept isn't dead its just updated horrible looking but interesting that they can cram so much on 8,000tons

 

[Systems Adict]

[Using a proven naval hull form to launch, operate and recover large numbers of small unmanned vehicles for extended periods, the UXV plays the role of mother ship]

I'm curious about this proven hull form, are they refering to the Type-45 ??

Systems Adict

 

[harryriedl]

[Using a proven naval hull form to launch, operate and recover large numbers of small unmanned vehicles for extended periods, the UXV plays the role of mother ship]

I'm curious about this proven hull form, are they refering to the Type-45 ??

Systems Adict

yep its based off the T45

 

[Super Nimrod]

They will love this vessel in most dockyards won't they with those overhangs preventing the cranes moving past her, meaning that she will have to stand off a little. Dry docking should also be interesting, and it would also need a special shed to be built in. If you are going to order 2-3 of these then its starting to look far too expensive to build and support. If they are going to do a concept like this and I have no doubt someone may attempt one, then the Triton type hull config would make more sense.