Poiuytrewq wrote: ↑13 Mar 2023, 11:35The Holland class is a great OPV but again it’s last generation now. A good starting point but what does next generation look like?
It really depends on what RN want it’s next-gen OPVs to achieve.
1: Is it for simple maritime security tasks?
2: What weapons and sensors?
3: Is it a single, multi hanger or no helo at all?
4: Is it to conduct
meaningful HADR.
5: Is it to contain medical facilities, if so what?
6: Is it to operate 15t craft and XLUUV?
7: Is it RB2 top speed (25kn) or Holland (21kn)?
8: Is it short range 5000nm or long 10,000nm?
9: What size of crew and EMF?
10: RORO, if yes, what size?
11: Stern launching ramp for RHIBs?
12: Steel beach or stern/side offloading ramps?
13: Is it one or two spot flight deck?
14: Is it naval or commercial build standards?
15: What size of deck crane
16: Mexeflote capable?
17: Working deck size? Covered or uncovered?
18: Budget?
Long before getting to the concept and design stage these are the questions that need answered.
When you answer the questions the vessel will virtually design itself and if it exists already then there is no need for a clean sheet design and therefore more money saved.
Very good list. And, it makes me feel there is nothing to hurry. UAV, USV, and UUV drones are emerging technology, and no one know the right answer, because it is still evolving rapidly.
- Buying civilian PSVs/OSVs to be used as a "trial drone carrier" makes perfect sense.
- Life extension of LPDs and LSDs also makes good sense. We do not know in what way the drones will change the LRG tactics.
- Designing T32 now is a mistake and pontless. Drones tactics are not yet settled, and T32 as designed now can rapidly be useless in a decade. Also, RN cannot man them now (because T31 and T26 are quite new and shall provide very high readiness, for a decade or more).
- There are plenty of ways to "enjoy" drone-world in trial, using Bays, River B2s, CVFs, T26s, and Argus. They all have great potential to be opened easily. So, why not we now focus on this aspect?
How a River B2 can be "up-armed" by drones?
How a Bay can be a drones mother ship?
How CVFs can operate UAVs in number?
How T26 can operate USV/UAVs?
T31? Not a good drone handler, but yes she has a hangar and a flight deck, so, some UAVs could be trialed. USVs? With only 3 boat bays, T31 only has the same boat handling capability as NZ's Te Kaha class frigates (which routinely carries 3 7.5-m RHIBs) = nothing special.
Note; Among them, RFA Argus is the only "very old" asset. So, considering her replacement
may be the first thing to think. However, we must admit that RFA ARgus's crew is needed for the 2nd and 3rd FSSS. I can see no way of manning 3 FSSS without disbanding Argus. So, again, not a high priority...