Royal Australian Navy Discussions and Updates 2.0
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iambuzzard
Well-Known Member
I'm running a hobby shop at retirement age. I have the same problem! Ha ha
Going Boeing
Well-Known Member
There have been some reports that the US is not progressing their version of LOCSV as fast as the ADF would like so, apart from going alone on the project, another option has become available in that the German navy has announced that it is acquiring a similar capability.
I’m sure that the RAN will have a detailed look at their design to see if it meets their requirements - range being an important one.
Germany To Build Uncrewed Missile-Toting Arsenal Ships For Its Frigates
I’m sure that the RAN will have a detailed look at their design to see if it meets their requirements - range being an important one.
Germany To Build Uncrewed Missile-Toting Arsenal Ships For Its Frigates
Build additional GPFs, use them to train additional crews, then procure the LOCSV when they are available.
The GPFs can then cascade to constabulary, presence and MCM roles, that require crewed assets. They will still be available for escort and fleet work, it just won't be their primary role anymore.
Going Boeing
Well-Known Member
To a certain extent, I agree with you but, as the LOCSV’s don’t require the expensive sensors as well as crew habitability space, they should be cheaper and faster to build - hopefully in large numbers to increase the capital ship’s capability & capacity.
iambuzzard
Well-Known Member
Don't the Japanese have their own under development? I know they're testing their rail gun.
iambuzzard
Well-Known Member
That's a sensible idea. Let's see if the politicians have the spine to do it seeing as how urgency is on us.
Are these latest two Capes the hulls earmarked primarily for training duties to replace Seahorse Mercator?
That could well be the case, but I’d bet what they define as ‘strike’ just means the ability to hard kill submarines. Usually when you hear the term ‘strike’ you immediately think TLAM and that’s way out of Ghost Shark’s depth. The proposed torpedo payloads from Anduril aren’t particularly special, inferior to MU90/Mk54 which gives more credence that they operate essentially as CAPTOR/Hammerhead mines relying even more so on proximity and surprise, but with the added capability to slowly redeploy itself and do other tasks as well
Note the “optionally crewed” part. That means that they need accomodation for crews, admittedly not large ones, when the option is exercised. Which, quite frankly - and certainly in peacetime - is going to be most of the time.
UNCLOS has certain requirements of ocean going vessels, which these are. That includes two navigational radar systems, so they will certainly have those. And if they do, you might as well make them competent.
They will need self defence systems so that the first time they transit the Malacca Straits pirates, or possibly just a third party, doesn’t just collect them. And, if they are armed at all there are certain requirements to make sure you don’t have weapons or ammunition, for example, stolen.
Finally, having done that, and potentially loading them with expensive missiles or expensive electronics - and considering them a pretty important part of you task group - you really don’t want them taken out by the first passing dumb bomb, or to become just an easy bar on some submarine’s Jolly Roger. So you probably would at least some active and passive defence systems.
All that adds up to quite a complex - and expensive - asset.
It will be interesting to see how the concept develops.
UNCLOS has certain requirements of ocean going vessels, which these are. That includes two navigational radar systems, so they will certainly have those. And if they do, you might as well make them competent.
They will need self defence systems so that the first time they transit the Malacca Straits pirates, or possibly just a third party, doesn’t just collect them. And, if they are armed at all there are certain requirements to make sure you don’t have weapons or ammunition, for example, stolen.
Finally, having done that, and potentially loading them with expensive missiles or expensive electronics - and considering them a pretty important part of you task group - you really don’t want them taken out by the first passing dumb bomb, or to become just an easy bar on some submarine’s Jolly Roger. So you probably would at least some active and passive defence systems.
All that adds up to quite a complex - and expensive - asset.
It will be interesting to see how the concept develops.
BAE Systems’ concepts for Royal Navy’s Future Air Dominance System - Navy Lookout
Following the outline FADS requirement issued by the RN earlier this year, BAE Systems has begun development of its Air Warfare Command Ship solutions and other supporting elements. At DSEI 2025, the company shared their initial design ideas, including increased automation, modularity, and...
www.navylookout.com
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