Corvette or DE for the USN?

[PCShogun]

Well, I too was about to mention the Cyclone class until I saw the article that they were pretty much beat. Nothing says we cannot follow our enemies trend and grab up some top end Boston Whalers such as the 22' Guardian or Challenger, and mount some .50's, 20mm's, stingers, and /or something like the SPIKE-ER.

Cheap to buy, operate, and you could have a whole bunch in no time at all. These would likely be immune to torpedo attack due to low displacement, immune to magnetic mines due to fiber glass construction, and could serve as close in support for ships transiting the strait and for mine detection (possibly even removal).

Something doesn't need to be high tech to be effective. With air superiority, support, and radar, the danger to these vessels would be minimal. It isn't going to cost you $6 million apiece either like Stiletto. The only downside I see is how they would handle in rough weather.

[Belesari]

Originally Posted by PCShogun

Well, I too was about to mention the Cyclone class until I saw the article that they were pretty much beat. Nothing says we cannot follow our enemies trend and grab up some top end Boston Whalers such as the 22' Guardian or Challenger, and mount some .50's, 20mm's, stingers, and /or something like the SPIKE-ER.

Cheap to buy, operate, and you could have a whole bunch in no time at all. These would likely be immune to torpedo attack due to low displacement, immune to magnetic mines due to fiber glass construction, and could serve as close in support for ships transiting the strait and for mine detection (possibly even removal).

Something doesn't need to be high tech to be effective. With air superiority, support, and radar, the danger to these vessels would be minimal. It isn't going to cost you $6 million apiece either like Stiletto. The only downside I see is how they would handle in rough weather.

The problem with real small ships like that is that their are still very expensive sailors aboard them and that they can only be used in places like the philippines the gulf etc not the open ocean.

My view is that we Need a DE class for things like this or a frigate class but the navy is unwilling to spend the money on them.

[PCShogun]

Originally Posted by Belesari

The problem with real small ships like that is that their are still very expensive sailors aboard them and that they can only be used in places like the philippines the gulf etc not the open ocean.

My view is that we Need a DE class for things like this or a frigate class but the navy is unwilling to spend the money on them.

True, but many of the proposed designs look like they will not handle the open ocean very well either. Tri-hulls are notorious for not handling the rough seas of the open ocean and the Stilleto and Sea Fighter (FSF-1) uses this hull design ( I know it says they are stable, but have you ever ridden a tri-hull in open water?). These ships also cost millions apiece and are large.

I perceived the roll of convoy escort in the strait as an extension of the brown water, riverine navy. Using cheap, shallow draft, heavily armed boats with 4 to 6 sailors. I guess it all depends on the mission parameters; Escort or offensive operations? These boats can be transported with ease on another transport vessel and lowered to the water upon arrival.

Another thought is to arm the merchants. Put some rapid fire 30's bow and stern.

I can agree though that if we want a vessel that can operate in Blue water AND Littoral environments, it needs to be much larger than a civilian power boat but then that's what Frigates are for. DE's are open water escorts in my opinion, not against shore launched attacks from aircraft and gangs of missiles.