Arleigh Burke class destroyers?

[Tasman]

It isw off topic but the VLS cells extend down to the main deck but the canisters for harpoon ar located on 01 deck forward of the bridge about 2.4m above manin deck. The CoG of the cansiters wouel be higher thatn that as the whole mass is carried above 01 deck with the canisters elevated.

The distance from the top of the hanger to main deck is about 5.4m with the top of the VLS sitting higher again, however, the CoG of total mass of the the Mk41 and weapons carried should be lower than the CoG of the cannisters.

As such it should provide an improvement provided the combination of mass above the main deck for the Mk41 and weapons does not result in a greater rise in vessel CoG compared to the total mass of the cannisters mounted above deck 01. In other words while the Mk41 should have a lower CoG it may result in a higher vessel CoG if the mass of the Mk41 and weapons creates a greater moment compared to the mass of the canisters with formula being:

GG1 = w x d
Final mass


Where GG1 is the movement of the centre of gravity, w is the mass being added (or removed), d is the distacne to the CoG of the mass and Final mass being the combination of the starting mass of the vessel and the added (or removed) mass.

Thanks for that. Now I know why I would never have been successful as a naval architect or as an engineer!

Seasprite ...... I reckon this was a typo.

Correct! I think that, like me, my computer keyboard does nasty things when someone mentions the name "SEASPRITE!"

One would think, but reality and potential are two different things. The Burkes capability may not be limited by its VLS cells, but it is limited by its technology. Specifically, depending upon which Flight of Burkes you are talking about determines which true capability the ship has in terms of weapon variety. Even for a VLS launched Harpoon, simply because it could be launched, the fire control software for the weapon doesn't exist as an integration into the AEGIS system at this time, so there would still be work to do.

Another issue is that Flight doesn't always determine potential loadout either. There are 12 Flight Is able to launch SM-3s, but 0 Flight IIs or Flight IIAs. Only the Flight IIAs after DDG-79 can support ESSM, while not all Flight I or Flight IIs can support the Block IV Tomahawks.

Hopefully the DDG modernization will fix the mess, but to date the modernization is not funded well enough to baseline the DDGs, although thankfully, the CG modernization does.

Things are never as simple as they seem! Let's hope that the navy gets the funding necessary to baseline the Arleigh Burkes up to a reasonably capable level so far as fire control and missile capability is concerned. Maybe not all of the class need to carry the Block IV Tomahawk or the SM-3 but I would have thought that ESSM, at least, ought to be retrofitted in them all.

Cheers

 

[ThePuss]

In the RAN a CIWS is not fitted to Anzac class frigates which have ESSM but it has been retained on the upgraded FFGs after ESSM has been added. From comments made on this forum it seems that topweight is the issue with the Anzacs rather than a perception that a CIWS is unnecessary. Also. the Anzacs do carry the Mini Typhoon to deal with fast surface targets.

Cheers
.

RNZN ANZAC's carry CIWS, we dont because the space is taken up by the AFT Nulka lauchers.

I prefer Nulka because CIWS is so close range, if you do shoot down the missile you are still going to take alot of shrapnel.

 

[Tasman]

RNZN ANZAC's carry CIWS, we dont because the space is taken up by the AFT Nulka lauchers.

I prefer Nulka because CIWS is so close range, if you do shoot down the missile you are still going to take alot of shrapnel.

I suspect that the damage caused by shrapnel is one reason that the Arleigh Burke Flight IIA vessels are relying on ESSM for close in anti missile defence (as do the OZ Anzacs in conjunction with the missile decoy that you have mentioned). Do you think there is still a case for a VSRAD system such as RAM to be installed as a back up to ESSM in the ABs and as a back up to ESSM and Nulka in the Anzacs?

The issue of topweight was raised in the RAN thread and also in other forums as another reason why a CIWS has not been fitted to the Anzacs.

BTW, its good to hear confidence being expressed in the effectiveness of Nulka.

Cheers

 

[ThePuss]

I suspect that the damage caused by shrapnel is one reason that the Arleigh Burke Flight IIA vessels are relying on ESSM for close in anti missile defence (as do the OZ Anzacs in conjunction with the missile decoy that you have mentioned). Do you think there is still a case for a VSRAD system such as RAM to be installed as a back up to ESSM in the ABs and as a back up to ESSM and Nulka in the Anzacs?

The issue of topweight was raised in the RAN thread and also in other forums as another reason why a CIWS has not been fitted to the Anzacs.

BTW, its good to hear confidence being expressed in the effectiveness of Nulka.

Cheers

While topweight is an issue on ANZACs, The main problem with a VSRAD system (as much as I would love to have it) is that we are simply running out of space.

Anazcs where originally designed as a patrol frigate and since then have had 2 MK 141 harpoon launchers, 4 quad Nulkas launchers, 2 Mini Typoon, various satcom dishes and soon will have an enclosed fwd mast. When I strol around 02 deck of "My Barge" I really can't see any more spots where you would put any new weapons with any kind of firing arc.

 

[Tasman]

While topweight is an issue on ANZACs, The main problem with a VSRAD system (as much as I would love to have it) is that we are simply running out of space.

Anazcs where originally designed as a patrol frigate and since then have had 2 MK 141 harpoon launchers, 4 quad Nulkas launchers, 2 Mini Typoon, various satcom dishes and soon will have an enclosed fwd mast. When I strol around 02 deck of "My Barge" I really can't see any more spots where you would put any new weapons with any kind of firing arc.

Thanks for the excellent information. It is good to hear from someone in the service commenting on things most of us just speculate about.

Cheers