A question for our experienced members, would fitting curved deflectors on the front of the Anzacs exhaust stacks to vector exhaust fumes further aft be effective in significantly reducing exhaust residue on the radar mast? I know that, on occasions, there will be wind conditions blowing towards the mast but if the fumes can be deflected aft during most operations, it should have the desired effect.
A better question to ask might be this:
From what I believe to be a logical point of view I would imagine it does and that doesnt factor in if any of the soot is making its way inside the internals and causing potential harm there, But at same time I might be over thinking how bad soot is for radar performance. I imagine they are testing it at the moment to find if it needs a proper fix or if they be fine getting a good scrub down after each long deployment.
I think it does matter, pride in one’s ship matters but we’ve had this discussion on here several times so let’s agree to disagree.
The masts are generally cleaned once a year. This involves building scaffolding around the structure while the ship is conducting a maintenance activity. Operators I've spoken to have indicated the soot buildup doesn't have any discernable effect on the radars' performance.
Good day all
Does anyone in the know have any idea why we don't have 16 VLS behind the funnels instead of 8? Looks like there is room for 16. Apologies if this has been answered previously.
Way back when the ANZACs were just intended as patrol frigates "coz cheap", more recently "coz top weight and stability". Though previous discussions on here have said, rumor has it (no better citations given...) that next round of upgrades they may get the extra VLS cells...
Also the Mk 41 VLS goes down about 3 levels so while there may be room on top, doesn't mean there is underneath. The weight issue is so critical that they can't even fit a non deck penetrating CIWS in that spot.
You wouldn't happen to know what length VLS the ANZACs have? This has been a matter of discussion in various forums for years, some say Tactical length, some Strategic, some say Point Defence. It has even been said that only strategic length VLS have actually ever been fitted to ships and the other lengths were proposed but not built.
I had posted on here a little while ago that the VLS fitted to the Anzac class aft of the funnels on 02 deck is the tactical length. There originally was also space & weight for an 8-cell self-defence forward of the bridge on the deck where the Harpoon is now fitted. Cheers.
Moving to a 57mm could potentially make some sense - the weight savings alone would be rather substantial. That alongside the weight savings being achieved through moving to NSM would combine to provide some much needed flexibility for the type's next ~20 years of service. It might be worth considering for the youngest Anzacs in the fleet.
careful with that line of thinking - i suggested that a few months back and was informed in no uncertain terms that 5inch was sacrosanct for NGS.
It would make sense to remove the Armidale class’ 25mm canon as they retire and fit them to the Evolved Capes. The weapons should have enough life left to see out these vessels time in RAN service. When the E Capes are transferred to the ABF, the guns can be removed to make them suitable for those operations.
NGS is one thing but so is supportability and the fact that DDG uses the mod 4 gun system as will the Hunter Class. Hopefully these will eventually have access to smart rounds (noting the CCS upgrade and mod 4 are supposed to be able to use extended range ammunition. According to the BAE blurb the system will be able to handle extended range and smart munitions
You are going to have to justify this. Why, what it the mission outcome?. Why is the extra expense of fitting, maintaining and then removing them justified? What are the targets you are engaging? The RAN Capes are a temporary fix to ensure the Naval element of border force is properly equipped pending the OPV coming online. A second ACPB is about to be decommissioned. These vessel are lasting just 15 years which is one of the reasons Volk has issues with them.
Your point about whether it’s worth the cost of fitting for such a short service life is valid.
Yes the attack class had a 40/60 but these were conceived in a period of regional conflict (Indonesian emergency etc) but these were never considered as a platform that anything more that a coastal asset (MTB, MGM capability). The Fremantle had a 40/60 but was adopted from a design for a FAC. This suggests more than chasing a fishing boats. Again they were only operated as a fishery and policing vessels. The original spec was was derived from a perceived wider risk looking at a coastal missile capability that would have required third party targeting.
The Arafura class is in a different league as far as capability is concerned.