tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7874352492088086371.post2549290693803401716..comments2023-09-14T09:05:28.328+01:00Comments on Naval Requirements: My tips for the Future; but more importantly what do you think?Unknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger1125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7874352492088086371.post-78821011835454424662009-03-01T02:59:00.000+00:002009-03-01T02:59:00.000+00:00I am a recent convert to the corvette, a ship arou...I am a recent convert to the corvette, a ship around 1000 or so tons, and I'll tell you why. I think the reason that large surface warships are getting harder to build in adequate numbers, and when they do enter service are riddled with faults, is that the design of such craft have reached their limits. Obsolescence is very common with weapons throughout history, and I think the last century concepts of warship building have reached a climax. If the new smart weapons don't do them in, the cost will.<BR/><BR/>The corvettes will survive this block obsolescence by being affordable, as well as equally survivable as its bigger kindred. It can be built in large numbers and is quite handy for what appears to be the future of war at sea, asymmetrical engagements in the littorals.<BR/><BR/>As for aircraft carriers, I continue to be unimpressed with the arguments that a 100,000 ton warship which owes its very existence because it is handy for those unexpected land battles that crop up now and again. A ship must first be built to fight other ships, and seeing that there are few such vessels in the navies of potential adversaries to America, I think the arguments are weighing thin. Neither does it surprise me that other countries around the world seeking great power status in the new century, naturally turn to the building of aircraft carrier as proof that they have "arrived" on the world scene. Like the large surface combatant, cost and the advent of precision weapons at sea will do in the flattops.<BR/><BR/>I am not a big fan of specialized amphibious ships. I do appreciate sealift and prepositioning, which have proved very effective in our recent conflicts. No major beach landing since Inchon gives me an idea that this isn't a very likely scenario for American arms in the future, though medium size navies like Britain have utilized them successfully. if we do need an amphibious arm, I think the helicopter carriers should be enough because they are quite versatile for a number of missions in war and peace. Plus helicopters are a better way to transport troops at decent ranges. Putting Big Ships close to the shore in the cruise missile age is a dangerous idea which even the Marines now recognize, I hear.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com