The Navy has been worried about the venerability of its capital ships for forever. Back in the day, my little group at NASA wind tunnel tested VSTOL fighter designs that could land and take off the little boys. It was fun. The idea is a no starter when you think of the sea states and logistics required for the little boys to service aircraft.
I'd rather have a manned MUSV with crew of 16 carrying 16 Tomahawk or SM-6 in Mk70 launchers with room to load to more ISO containers with SEWIP Like and NULKA decoys. Base price 30-35 million vs FRC 65-100.
We have been here before. The French jeune ecole of the early 1900s, Jackie Fisher and his Fish Pond a little later. Strategic Bombing uber alles in the 50s. Mcnamara and his whiz kids, and anything labelled as "Transformational" nowadays. The fundamental requifrements of naval power remain--and certainly platforms and technology change. As somebody else said, "I am imptessed that the NYT can acually spell "Navy".
Nice work!
Bryan, did you try submitting a letter to the editor to New York Times? Maybe you have already.
No--I'm too reliant on instant gratification.
The Navy has been worried about the venerability of its capital ships for forever. Back in the day, my little group at NASA wind tunnel tested VSTOL fighter designs that could land and take off the little boys. It was fun. The idea is a no starter when you think of the sea states and logistics required for the little boys to service aircraft.
Cheap, fewer crew, easier to lose? Fast Response Cutter hull with a quad of NSMs like a Coast Guard guy said in USNI Review.
And we've got plenty of unmanned weapons to attack the enemy with, they're called Tomahawks and NSMs.
I'd rather have a manned MUSV with crew of 16 carrying 16 Tomahawk or SM-6 in Mk70 launchers with room to load to more ISO containers with SEWIP Like and NULKA decoys. Base price 30-35 million vs FRC 65-100.
I take it you don't think the CONSTELLATION Class fits this bill?
Constellation is going to be too busy escorting merchants and Marines. FAC for presence, commerce/fishing fleet raiding, and diversion work.
What the US Navy needs is a good frigate that can be built in reasonable quantities without crushing the bank account.
And yes, the new automated vessels would be very useful in augmenting the limited magazine and sensor suite of such smaller ships.
I like the new South Korea frigates that SamKang was just awarded.
We have been here before. The French jeune ecole of the early 1900s, Jackie Fisher and his Fish Pond a little later. Strategic Bombing uber alles in the 50s. Mcnamara and his whiz kids, and anything labelled as "Transformational" nowadays. The fundamental requifrements of naval power remain--and certainly platforms and technology change. As somebody else said, "I am imptessed that the NYT can acually spell "Navy".