Irish Naval ASW capability?

[popeye]

Yeah like we are goinig to start sinking Subs we can't even shoot at fishermen, I am sure the NS would like to equip the fleet with more practicial equipment than ASW kit, maybe we could buy some sub chasers to protect the carrier we are planning, people find it hard to get rain gear!!!!!!!

[Test Pilot]

Trained operators as opposed to a guy who could operate it?

Knew of one guy who could use it but his training was not formalised..not as if it wasn't used.

I spent more time on it myself than any other, but I was not a trained operator. i.e. I didn't have the 'ear'. As Plessey instructers in the UK explained, it took a long time to acquire the 'ear'. On modern sonar there is software to do interpretation of the sound pics. Eithne's sonar was just past it's sell by date, thats one of the reasons it was removed.

[hptmurphy]

Trained operators as opposed to a guy who could operate it?

Knew of one guy who could use it but his training was not formalised..not as if it wasn't used.

[Test Pilot]

I was on a ship visit to Eithne 2 years after she was commissioned ('86) and she had a fitted, operational sonar capable of detecting subs. Also, main and auxillary engines were fitted on rubber mounts for quieter running. An air mask was to be fitted to the props to limit prop noise but dropped because of budget overruns. No ASW wpns were fitted but provison was made for two mounts just for'd of the helideck hanger (where Rheinmetals are located now).

Saracen, The 'rubber' engine mounts are standard fit now for marine engines. It had nothing to do with silent running of the engines so as not to be heard by subs!
One point regarding the sonar. There were NO personel trained in the operation of the Plessey sonar. There were however three technicians trained in the repair and maintenance of the equipment. So although there was good equipment in place - how good was it, if there were no trained specialists to operate it.

[Goldie fish]

Keep it on topic and relevant please.

[trellheim]

Nah, job lot from USA - knockdown price .. you betcha.

[thebig C]

over and under also

lets get a few 688s or Seawolfs just to be sure. Throw them in with the F-22s and M1A2s we're going to buy.

We don't need submarines, but there might be a case for an ASW capability, whether it be airborne and/or shipborne. People talk about ships being needed to assert and defend our sovereignty over Irish waters, but it's not just the sea surface, it's what goes on underneath, and in the air above.

BTW it's not F-22s and M1A2s, it's Su-30s and Leopards, much more cost-effective.

[GoneToTheCanner]

Hi there
The Casas (252/3)have launch tubes built into the airframe, just behind the mission suite, that can launch/drop sonobouys or flares. There are also racks for dropping dinghies or survival packs.It wouldn't be beyond the wit of man to enable it to drop something more lethal, if need be.
regards
GttC

[trellheim]

lets get a few 688s or Seawolfs just to be sure. Throw them in with the F-22s and M1A2s we're going to buy.

[Pod]

It isn't needed. Terrorists(for now) don't have subs.

South American drug cartels have been known to use homemade submersibles a player from Colombia is a little organisation known as FARC.:wink:

Not an immediate problem for us I know but then again three of their little shinner friends are running around back home aren't they?

[stargazer]

Asw

Just looking back over the last months comments was interested in discussion on ASW capabilities of Naval Service.Believe it or not mines do come under the heading ofASW as the were used during 2WW as offencive and defencive purposes.Having done an extencive course on minesweeping in the UK in the 70tes learned that they proved very effective.That is why all subs had mine cutters fitted.Navy ships were fitted with Simrad sonar after they scrapped the corvettes L.E/Deirdre was fitted with one the were an update of the same type fitted to F/Vs by Simrad.All personnel who were Torpedo A/S operators had to complete a course on same

[DeV]

Grand thanks for answering my point.

[pym]

AFAIK, the upgrade to the CASAs involves a new search radar and FLIR, and the FITS system, which seems to be mainly about integrating and displaying data on operator consoles. Do the CASAs carry sonobuoys and the equipment to process their signals?

Based on the C-295, CN-235, C-212 platforms and the Fully Integrated Tactical System (FITS), the Military Transport Aircraft Division solutions cover a wide variety of Maritime Patrol and Homeland Security missions: law enforcement, maritime pollution and the Economic Exclusive Zone (EZZ) control, search and rescue, anti-submarine and anti-surface warfare (ASW/ASuW).

http://www.eads.com/1024/en/businet/miltrair/cn235/persuader/persuader.html

I'm not aware of the Air Corps CN-235's currently employing any Sonobuoys though, but other countries do seem to use theirs in the ASW role.

[Saracen]

Thanks for the correction on the mounts.

[thebig C]

sonobuoys?

Well, the Casa's FITS upgrade, would I believe allow them to carry out ASW operations...of course if you want a hard kill capability you'd have to fit weapons stations, but thats been done on C235's before....:redface:

AFAIK, the upgrade to the CASAs involves a new search radar and FLIR, and the FITS system, which seems to be mainly about integrating and displaying data on operator consoles. Do the CASAs carry sonobuoys and the equipment to process their signals?