Royal Australian Navy Discussions and Updates 2.0

[swerve]

So why not look at others? It's not as if it's the only choice.

 

[Maranoa]

Was there ever any clarity over the ability of a helicopter to land/take off on the Arafura flight deck. I know the semantics about 'not operating' a helo, but could a MH-60R helicopter land on the deck in extremis, or in an emergency as opposed to being embarked for operational purposes?

 

[Massive]

IIRC there were concerns about the security of the S100, though it might also have been the fact that the selection was made by the previous gov't as a single source procurement rather than an open tender (from apparently give short-listed contenders). It is also possible there were other concerns about the capability and functionality of the S100 drones themselves.

I feel that the S100 is an overly complex and expensive solution in a rapidly evolving market.

This was a good move regardless of performance and alternatives are definitely available.

Ben

 

[hauritz]

Yea, the speartooth might be a better match for the Arafura. It aparently has a super long range in the order of 2,000km. Haven't heard much about the Spearfish for a while.

I should note the weight of the ghost shark probably rules them out from the Hunter as well. I think its mission bay crane is rated to about 16 tonnes. Perhaps the Speartooth is a better match for the Hunter.

The ghost shark range I don't think has been publicised, but I suspect it is substantially longer than the speartooth. I suspect it may not actually need a mother ship and can do its own thing.

All in all though, I think the Arafuras have a better purpose. I view they would be more effective with an aerial drone, like the Schiebel S100 we tested and ditched some time ago. Two of these in containers would utilse the flight deck very well have a 200km odd range and could carry a reasonably decent ISR package.

Aerial drones suits the patrol nature of the Arafura better, and provide it over the horizon visibility. The Arafura could operate in the same region as patroling ghost sharks, so it can still utilise their intel and protection.

I haven't heard anything about a replacement for the S100. I'm still not sure why we discontinued it. What happened here?

The FFMs will operate UUVs from its stern dock mission bay. I haven't been able to find out whether they could specifically handle something the size of the Ghost Shark but given the size of the ship I would be surprised if it couldn't.

 

[Stampede]

Yea, the speartooth might be a better match for the Arafura. It aparently has a super long range in the order of 2,000km. Haven't heard much about the Spearfish for a while.

I should note the weight of the ghost shark probably rules them out from the Hunter as well. I think its mission bay crane is rated to about 16 tonnes. Perhaps the Speartooth is a better match for the Hunter.

The ghost shark range I don't think has been publicised, but I suspect it is substantially longer than the speartooth. I suspect it may not actually need a mother ship and can do its own thing.

All in all though, I think the Arafuras have a better purpose. I view they would be more effective with an aerial drone, like the Schiebel S100 we tested and ditched some time ago. Two of these in containers would utilse the flight deck very well have a 200km odd range and could carry a reasonably decent ISR package.

Aerial drones suits the patrol nature of the Arafura better, and provide it over the horizon visibility. The Arafura could operate in the same region as patroling ghost sharks, so it can still utilise their intel and protection.

I haven't heard anything about a replacement for the S100. I'm still not sure why we discontinued it. What happened here?

The S100 or equivalent type of aircraft appeared an excellent fit across the fleet. OPVs and others!
Respectable range ,load capacity and variety of payloads .
Vertical take off and landing and a small physical foot print logistically
What’s not to like!
A popular platform adopted for land and sea by many other defence forces.

Difficult to understand why we have let this go considering the training investment and knowledge base established with the S100.

Most perplexing

Cheers S

 

[Todjaeger]

The S100 or equivalent type of aircraft appeared an excellent fit across the fleet. OPVs and others!
Respectable range ,load capacity and variety of payloads .
Vertical take off and landing and a small physical foot print logistically
What’s not to like!
A popular platform adopted for land and sea by many other defence forces.

Difficult to understand why we have let this go considering the training investment and knowledge base established with the S100.

Most perplexing

Cheers S

It appears that Russia is one of the S-100 users in their Coast Guard, and the PLAN is (or was, back ~2012) another. IMO this could cause some concern among the RAN and ADF staff. Yes, a number of NATO/allied nations appear to have the S-100 in service, but I am uncertain whether or not the areas where the S-100 is utilized by Euro users are likely to come into contact with either Russian Coast Guard vessels, or PLAN warships. OTOH, the RAN could easily end up deployed to an area where PLAN vessels are nearby, if not in direct contact with.

There is also the potential matter of sole sourcing rather than getting tenders from competitors. With four other vendors short-listed, it does appear that other options were available, options which could possibly have been better suited to Australian and RAN needs than the S-100.

 

[Reptilia]

The FFMs will operate UUVs from its stern dock mission bay. I haven't been able to find out whether they could specifically handle something the size of the Ghost Shark but given the size of the ship I would be surprised if it couldn't.

stern dock is only for multi mission usvs or rhibs. The ozz-5 uuvs on the Mogami are lowered down from openings on the starboard/port side or are fixed on the mcm usvs.
No chance we see ghost shark on the Mogami, it is bus sized in its shortest form.
Hunter has a 40ft+ long mission bay opening with 12-16 tons lift capacity, so it will be able to.