quote 1805 4379
I don't think the lack of a 4.5" hindered the T22s role in the Falklands, there were plenty of other ships that could do the NGS support role. Even if you don't agree surely you would accept the T42 would certainly have benefit from a 76mm + Phalanx along with the reduction of top weight.
I do think that this argument actually strengthens the case for an increase in major surface combatants and the inclusion of a medium gun on all of them when you contrast the numbers of major surface combatants available then and now. Then a few vessels without a medium gun was not a big deal as you say there were plenty of units with one; you should note that the RN has not designed one without since.
I agree that any of the CO’s of the period would have liked to have had the addition of a CIWS (I suspect that the post conflict fit would have been the outfit of choice if given one) and as I have said before it is unfortunate that cost was the major driver in the 42’s design which comes into stark contrast compared with the proceeding County class which although out of date by the Falklands war had the merit of being outfitted with area and point defence missiles, anti surface missiles, a medium gun, 20mm, light weight torpedo tubes and a ASW helicopter which was housed in possibly the smallest most inconvenient hanger this side of a Tribal class frigate.
As to the Type 22 batch one’s they were almost permanently close escort to the carriers but I would point out that all ships operational utility is dictated by its weapons fit and as we know later vessels do have a medium gun.
Although a welcome bolt on, Phalanx was never a potential for the Type 42 pre 1982 unless in the 1960's the naval architects could have persuaded the tight wad treasury to "build for but not with" (sounds familiar) to future proof the ship, however that was most unlikely, as common sense isnt a treasury strong point.
A ship would generally get a contemporay weapon, the MK 8 was designed in the late 1960's, first getting stuck on a ship in 1971, the RN getting it on Bristol in '73 (google is amazing!) and at 26tonnes was likely seen as a great improvement over the 40 tonnes of the earlier twin mount.
Type 42 was designed in the same period as the Mk8, Sheffield being ordered in 1968, commissioned in 1975, so a logical gun would have been the Mk8. I think the Oto 76 was also designed late 60's but only in the less impressive compact model, supposedly with issues such as falling apart at rapid fire rates (probs also marred the mk8 though) and a 76mm would have needed a new ammo type. I suppose that the choice facing the admiralty in the late 60's was use a UK system being designed, using the same ammo on a smaller mount or buy foreign. In that sense I dont think76mm would have been an option, not due to system weakness but on general balance of probabilities and just what we do eg national pride, industry needs even sometimes over common sense.
Phalanx was offered to the US Navy for evaulaution in 1973, by that stage 5 of the first batch of T42 had already been laid down on a cut down ,cramped design. Production of Phalnx didnt start until 1978 , the US would have got all the first systems and Coral Sea was the first shio to get it in 1980, by which time 11 of our Type 42 's had already been launched...too tight dimensions and weight, at a time of dire financial probs and imminent naval cuts (pre Falklands)
Now for the T42 to have been built "for" Phalanx would have required the type of foresight we rarely see. It would have been great to have prchased and early batch 1982 but that would never have been instead of of Mk8 or something else, the devlopment schedules just dont match.
If only the Treasury had agreed to an extra 1000 tonnes, the Type 42 could have reicieved that urgent bolt on, quite a good reminder in my opinion that building the T45 and Type 26 on the bigger side :relis probably wise, it gives so many more options CAMM, Sea Ram, some starstreak derivative etc.
I think I read Phalanx was considered as an urgent war purchase but the schedule was too tight, though it did arrive immediately after.
A final point forgotten is that the Mk8 in that period also fired a chaff round, so although not ideal, it added to the soft kill. Neither a Mk 8 or an OTO compact have much chance in downing an exocet, (maybe the Super Rapide that arrived much later>/ so I dont actually think a CO of a T42 on picket duty would have been too fussed what he had, phalanx yes, but He would be really lamenting not having Gannet AEW/Phanton./Sea Vixen (would it have still been viable had we kept the carriers??)/Harrier aloft giving him protection.
You are right though, the County's have a certain appeal others just dont, they look hard if you know what I mean.
