Grand Danois
Entertainer
Warning! In Danish.Can you elaborate on that?
http://www.navalhistory.dk/Danish/SoevaernsNyt/2006/0713_Minestrygning.htm
Warning! In Danish.Can you elaborate on that?
I agree with your assessment. Though if we think of the potential situation in 10-15 years' time, the Russian Navy could become more hostile. Its most efficient assets in the Baltic include the new Lada SSK, a few Kilo SSKs, and a couple of Sovremenny, plus a Neustrashimy FFG. Having good ASW to counter Lada and Kilo SSKs lurking close to territorial waters is important.Coming to think of it: Mayby the Absalon class was what killed the submarines - not only in competition for funds.
The task is to close St. Pietersburg and Königsberg, and if that task can be accomplished by a ship that has other uses - like the Absalon - with fewer units at a comparable cost pr. ship, then why use money on subs?
The trick seems to be: There is no hostile navy in the Baltic! A lot of rusty hulls at Krohnstadt does not constitute a fleet.
Besides the Absalons will use the about 4000 mines already bought for another war. So let's se how it pans out.
8 December 2006
Thales on track in TBMD
The Royal Netherlands Navy's Hr.Ms. Tromp, a frigate of the "De Zeven Provinciën" class, equipped with the Thales Anti Air Warfare (AAW) system, participated in two US Navy TBMD (Tactical Ballistic Missile Defence) test events in November and December of this year at the Pacific Missile Range Facility near Hawaii. For this purpose Thales' SMART-L Volume Search Radar was fitted with a test version of the recently developed Extended Long Range (ELR) Mode, performing out to maximum instrumented range of 480 km. SMART-L with the ELR Mode incontrovertibly proved to be able to detect and track targets representing Tactical Ballistic Missiles.
The first test event was held on 16 November during the US Navy's Track Exercise. An ARAV-B missile (Aegis Readiness Assessment Vehicle type B) was launched from the island of Kauai, near Hawaii. Hr.Ms. Tromp was in a position at around 200 km from Kauai. As soon as the target was sufficiently high above the island's hills, it was detected by SMART-L. The Thales radar tracked the missile through the major part of its trajectory that passed Hr.Ms. Tromp at a range of 150 km.
The second test event took place on 7 December when an Aries Target Test Vehicle was launched from Kauai. Hr. Ms. Tromp's position was about 300 km from the launch site. Again, SMART L performed flawlessly. SMART-L's track data were also made available via the Link-16 datalink, proving the interoperability with the USN.
These tests clearly demonstrate that the LCF/F124 AAW suite can be developed to full TBMD capabilities.
SMART-L
SMART-L is Thales' long range Volume Search Radar. This system is operational on the four LCF frigates of the Royal Netherlands Navy and the three F124 frigates of the German Navy. The Korean Navy has purchased one SMART-L for its Landing Platform Dock that is presently being built. SMART-L's derivative, the S1850M radar, will be installed on the Horizon frigates for the French and Italian navies and the Type 45 frigates of the Royal Navy that are under construction. The Danish Navy has selected SMART-L for its three new air defence frigates. SMART-L is an electronically stabilized multibeam D-band radar with a range of about 400 km and an elevation angle of 70°. Its ultramodern technology in combination with refined signal processing guarantees an excellent performance, especially against stealthy targets.
About Thales
Thales is an international electronics and systems group serving defence, aerospace, security and services markets. The Group employs 60,000 people worldwide and generated revenues of 10.3 billion euros in 2005. Thales Nederland, established in 1922, is one of the world’s leading companies in integrated naval systems for surveillance, weapon control, and combat management.
http://www.thales-nederland.nl/nl/news/archive/2006/December-08-2006.shtml
What missiles would a Kresta II be firing... all they carry are torpedo rockets.Grand Danois: Does that mean they will be able to track the missiles of a Kresta II class cruiser? - and knock them down.
All Kresta II are deleted... there are however a couple of Kara CGs still around in the Black Sea, the Azov (probably not operational) and another one.What missiles would a Kresta II be firing... all they carry are torpedo rockets.
The article says she has Mk41 VLS but no missile has been chosen... that means either SM-2 or ESSM. Either way these SAMs kick some serious SSM tail. My guess would be to go with ESSM as the VLS version has great range. It is excellent against Sea Skimmers and the fact the SM-2 is passing her prime will make it an even more popular choice.Conte: The question is can FFG's?
The frigates will have 24 ESSM in Mk56 VLS launchers. The Mk41 VLS is only for long range SAM's ie Standards, or TacToms.The article says she has Mk41 VLS but no missile has been chosen... that means either SM-2 or ESSM. Either way these SAMs kick some serious SSM tail. My guess would be to go with ESSM as the VLS version has great range. It is excellent against Sea Skimmers and the fact the SM-2 is passing her prime will make it an even more popular choice.
Well if they ever need more ESSMs they can put them in quad packs in the Mk41.The frigates will have 24 ESSM in Mk56 VLS launchers. The Mk41 VLS is only for long range SAM's ie Standards or TacToms.