Shipbucket

Nice work Trojan.

Up to you really. From a RAN perspective, the Armidale class patrol boats use Toplite for both search/observation and gun control, whereas the Anzac class frigates use Toplite just for gun control and have a separate system for search/observation. I guess it would come down to how much money you had available, but probably just replacing the current ones would be the best for what these ships will be doing.

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So, I have an idea for the 70's flagship design.
I'm pondering something truly ridiculous based on the RFA Engadine design. By the 70's, the GTC's air arm would be flying (presumably) some form of VTOL craft, almost certain to be the harrier.
So here's my idea. Take the Engadine (I'm drawing it currently):

And replace that forward mast with a Zell launcher platform for the harrier. A ramp, a blast sheild, and big RATO packs. Something harking back to the CAM ships with their hurry's back in the war. Possibly shifting the superstructure around, but they need a big landing platform.
Might take a look at the hook landing system, was it the canadians who designed that?
But anyway. Thoughts? Yes, it's a truly ridiculous idea. But it sounds fun...

ETA: Thinking further on this... I'm pondering bridge aft, hanger fore of bridge, landing platform centred and then the Zell platform in the bows. It would be a major redesign of engadine. but that's just an idea, not a set in stone plan.

An OPV with hangar for two Sea king could be based on Engadine, but the Zell program was not successful. Weight is another matter.

Would any OPV based on RFA Engadine (K08) be a bit slow (and unmanoeuvrable ?) she only made 16 Kn on 1 screw.

JSB

That depends entirely on what you use them for, where you do it and how you do it. The term OPV can be applied to just about any military or para-military ship that operates outside of coastal waters. A ship designed for fisheries patrols in the North Sea has very different requirements than one doing drug interdiction in the Caribbean.
It also depends on when the conversion takes place.

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“Close” only counts with horseshoes, hand grenades, and tactical nuclear weapons.
That which does not kill me has made a grave tactical error

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Source Materiel is always welcome.

Sorry, I didn't mean a specific Zell program, but just the general concept. Rockets and a ramp
Plus, in regards to weight, an empty weight Sea Harrier is only 14k pounds, while a full weight sea king is 21,000lbs. A full fuel load on the harrier of 5000lbs gives 2000lbs spare for armaments, plenty for guns and sidewinders. Yes, it could only carry a pair of them, but that's not the point of my ridiculous proposal. The point is to do something crazy (and vaguely tactically useful for convoy protection) with 1970's tech.

As for OPV speed... I think the GTC is still thinking convoy escort. So 16 knots is no bad thing.

Re: Harrier carrier
Ridiculous is certainly the word that comes to mind first

Re: OPC
Well, I'd personally prefer it if my escort vessel had enough of a speed advantage over the convoy so that it can manoeuvre back and forth said convoy at a reasonable. Exactly how fast that is depends on the speed of the convoy obviously but I'd say you need at least a 5-10kts speed advantage.

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“Close” only counts with horseshoes, hand grenades, and tactical nuclear weapons.
That which does not kill me has made a grave tactical error

Worklist

Source Materiel is always welcome.

this is what Norway used, almost an OPV...

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/HNoMS_Horten_(A530)

Barnets, I feel only two harriers might be two little to be effective, unless many ships were operated. Its a fun idea without a doubt though

What about an Atlantic Conveyer style helicopter and Harrier carrier. http://www.shipbucket.com/images.php?di ... 0STUFT.png
Doubles as merchant ship, and blends in with the rest of the fleet in case of attack. Could probably carry a decent number of aircraft too, though managing stores, take-off, and landing could pose quite the problem.

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