Road to 350: What Does the US Navy Do Anyway?

[BigRed389]

I'll be impressed if they can deliver in 2-3 years. Presumably any kind of realistic IOC will take another couple years.
Curious what sensors & weapons systems they intend to include. Wondering whether that hull can accommodate some kind of SPY-6/VLS configuration, or if they'll forego those capes all together. Systems integration is a bitch.

I’m gonna guess they’re banking on the fact HII is actually building these now for the Coasties.

From the initial reports it sounds like no to any SPY/VLS. Combat fit is the gun (same gun as the cutter), RAM, and NSM only. The only real combat changes are bolt ons. Meaning I’d bet on the only real design work being just slapping grey paint on the Legend class cutter, then welding on the two extra weapons. Probably some other relatively simple changes for C4I.

That’ll get you something in the water in 2-3 years.

Problem is combat capability would be absolutely minimal.

 

[BigRed389]

Not that this approach couldn't be effective... but it sure wasn't for LCS. Sometimes the whole spiral development thing doesn't get funded. That said, there are a few interesting bolt on systems being developed that might find a home here.

Going to be interesting to see what they do with it. It won’t fit a VLS or even the 40ft container launcher. That said, maybe they come up with some interesting unmanned payloads to play around with. Those are the main things that have made real progress from the LCS days.

As a typical frigate though, this is pretty anemic. Maybe they start planning for a hull extension to accommodate a real missile launcher or something in a few years down from the first few ships.

 

[Brett327]

Problem is combat capability would be absolutely minimal.

That's kinda what I figured, and that makes me a little bit nervous that we'll have to relearn some of the LCS lessons. Curious how we intend on deploying this platform... independent steamer, CSG/ESG participant/Counter Piracy/Counter Narcotics/etc? I don't imagine we'd want this thing poking around the SCS or PG all by itself.

 

[taxi1]

the MK-70 Typhon vertical launch system within the dimensions of a 40-foot shipping container

OH YEAH



Toss them over the side went empty.

That’s the world’s largest container ship by the way. Just need some gray paint.

Drive away cost is about $200 million. They are almost disposable.

 

[Gatordev]

Curious how we intend on deploying this platform... independent steamer, CSG/ESG participant/Counter Piracy/Counter Narcotics/etc?

It seems like these were the biggest wholes left open when LCS collapsed. Historically the Navy hasn't consistently been able to meet the 4th Fleet requirement (with a capital R) to have the stated number of assets in theater. Assuming it can support Romeo, I'd imagine it would be a good fit for CONUS ASW as well, when those requirements pop up (seemingly regularly).

But I'm also curious if the Navy still thinks as it did with the OHP-class...someone's gotta take the first missile.

 

[Griz882]

But I'm also curious if the Navy still thinks as it did with the OHP-class...someone's gotta take the first missile.

That was the basic theory with the Knox Class frigates…except it was the first torpedo.

 

[BigRed389]

That's kinda what I figured, and that makes me a little bit nervous that we'll have to relearn some of the LCS lessons. Curious how we intend on deploying this platform... independent steamer, CSG/ESG participant/Counter Piracy/Counter Narcotics/etc? I don't imagine we'd want this thing poking around the SCS or PG all by itself.

Yup. It’d be in a bad spot if anybody ever got mad at it. RAM is a pretty badass self defense weapon but it’s just the one launcher with very limited range. Can’t see it do anything more than the CP/CN stuff. Maybe be FONOPS bait. As said before, somebody’s gotta be the one to take the first hit.

That was the basic theory with the Knox Class frigates…except it was the first torpedo.

The OHP at least had a shot against first missile or torpedo. With today’s systems a modernized OHP could actually be pretty decent unless the enemy concentrated force against it. Ironically, thats essentially what the PRC has in the same weight class (Jiangkai II frigates).