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    for it ! Now is an ideal time with the Covid-19 restrictions !

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    • Originally posted by na grohmiti View Post
      With all due respect to you, you need to write a book (or 2) about your service.
      If former L/S Jim Brady can manage 2 books about his service in the NS based on him getting the wrong size uniform and getting ripped off by a brasser in the city I know there would be a much larger audience interested in hearing about life as an officer in the NS of the 60s, 70s and 80s. You have given us fascinating snippets and insights here from time to time about your experiences. People deserve to have to pay to read about this.
      Given that you probably instructed the current DFCoS on everything he knows, I'm sure he would be fully supportive too.
      I'll second that. Fascinating period of history and you were there living it. The evolution of the Irish NS from the 60s to the 80s would be a great read.
      'History is a vast early warning system'. Norman Cousins

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      • Originally posted by paul g View Post
        Hi spider

        Planning in the late 1980s was essentially defensive, it was recognised that the fantasians ( who were better armed and equipped) had the ability to undertake offensive operations into the republic and it was considered highly likely that they would. Hence planning was initially defensive and influenced by Cold War Austrian doctrine which would have seen the creation of a number of defensive zones along the border and light forces would make best use of terrain between the secure zones to harass the fantasians. So to answer the question there were no plans to help anybody north of the border as the df assumed that it would be essentially on the defensive from the fantasians for a number of months

        However in this scenario were staff planning and contained a high degree of largely theoretical planning assumptions for example hodson points out that planners put a surprising amount of effort into the discussion as to whether or not mbt should be placed in brigades or concentrated a regimental level which would make more sense if we actually had any
        We're diverting the thread and this probably deserves one of its own, but I think you've answered my question, thank you.
        'History is a vast early warning system'. Norman Cousins

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        • [QUOTE=EUFighter;475033]
          Originally posted by ancientmariner View Post

          The mods need to the P60's to give them some form of AA , A/fast boat. ASW would be substantial, but some major reworking of vessels has been done before the RN with their Type15/16 frigates and the USN with the FRAM destroyers. Basically it would involve going from a basic OPV to something more like a corvette. Systems that would be needed in order of priority could be as follows:

          (1) ESM system: relatively low cost passive detection system, would warm of radar tracking etc.
          (2) X-band 3d radar: as weight would be always an issue a compact radar like the Saab Giraffe 1x, gives a range of 75km and can be used for weapon cueing.
          (3) Decoy system such as the Terma SKWS or Rheinmetall MASS
          (4) Upgrade of FCS, replacement of the EO system with the Sea Eagle FCRO (radar and electro optical fire control system) from Chess Dynamics.
          (5) CMS: A Combat Management System would be required to fusion all the information into a tactical picture.
          (6) Replacement of the Rhinos with a modern RWS. The rate of fire of the Rhinos is good but they lack a modern control system for combating fast small craft. Something like the MLG27 or something similar.
          (7) Hull Mounted Sonar: to give a basic underwater picture, would be a major modification but the minimum needed to get any form of ASW capability.
          (8) 2-4 fixed tubes for Lightweight ASW torpedo. Currently in the West only ASW torpedoes are being manufactured, no-one makes depth charges even if some countries have them in stock still and the Swedish ASW 600 ASW rocket launcher is also no longer in production.
          (9) CIWS: to give the vessel an active defence system, either a Phalanx or SeaRAM system as they can be dismounted quickly thus the requirement could be for 2 systems rather than 4 (need not be new builds). The OTO Melara Strales system requires a lot more integration into the system sensor and CMS system.
          (10) AA missile system, best candidate would be the MBDA Simbad-RC system, although Saab might be able to offer something based on the RBS70NG

          Cost would be somewhere around €200-240m (ex-VAT) to cover all four vessels. Crewing would increase so this would need to be accommodated also.
          We looked at naval weaponry on page 9 of NAVAL WEAPONRY MOL. Due to a naval need a large number of OPV's , of varying sizes are in production by many key Navies, including those with overseas territories. Some are being equipped to the high end towards war fighting and are fitted at commissioning with combat systems . Of the larger OPV's, the Irish Naval ships are the only ones without a Combat management System. I personally am NOT sure of what's under the bonnet or since fitted. We have gone back in mil. capability. It needs fixing particularly on the 90metre vessels with 30 years of service in the pipeline. Your list is relevant as a picking list. The continual re-profiling of our Naval capability, dismissal of flight decks, deletion of equipments, has also led to a professional vacuum , requiring a major training commitment , in the event of mil. upgrades.

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          • Just for info, here is some details on what the Philippians Navy wants from its next to LPD's (SSV). Keen eyed will notice the expensive stuff is "fitted for but not with".

            http://maxdefense.blogspot.com/2019/...ents-of-2.html

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            • Interesting article on Fast Transport / Long Range Patrol Vessel. seeing as the Air Corps are getting C 130Js / A400M the Navy shouldnt be left out
              http://cimsec.org/proposing-modern-h...l-vessel/28533

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              • Originally posted by apc View Post
                Interesting article on Fast Transport / Long Range Patrol Vessel. seeing as the Air Corps are getting C 130Js / A400M the Navy shouldnt be left out
                http://cimsec.org/proposing-modern-h...l-vessel/28533
                Tonnage, dimensions, range, are about right for us. I would go for the deeper draft. The outfit for the LRPV would meet all ASW,and surface combat modes including AA defence. The crew levels are too high for us but are necessary for operating the intended outfit of armament, medical provisions, simulation, and away crew for LCVP's. I'd imagine we would go for 23/24 kts and sustainable speed with OPV's in company at 18 kts. Afaik the MRV's combat outfit has not been mentioned only HADR even though medical facilities and personnel are not available in uniform. Such a ship is a target requiring a high response capability. The one gun and CRAA is NOT adequate.

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                • Originally posted by apc View Post
                  Interesting article on Fast Transport / Long Range Patrol Vessel. seeing as the Air Corps are getting C 130Js / A400M the Navy shouldnt be left out
                  http://cimsec.org/proposing-modern-h...l-vessel/28533
                  The Naval Service is not been left out, in fact it is the only one which has an active project. The MRV project remains active and will likely see the light of day before any airlift capability is added to the AC.
                  Most likely as it seems VARD is our semi-in-house design office the vessel will look something like the VARD7-313 design discussed last year. It being very much based upon key parameters of the HMNZS Canterbury, with one big exception that it lacks the independent ability to land equipment should a harbour facility be unavailable (HADR mission).

                  Comment


                  • Originally posted by apc View Post
                    Interesting article on Fast Transport / Long Range Patrol Vessel. seeing as the Air Corps are getting C 130Js / A400M the Navy shouldnt be left out
                    http://cimsec.org/proposing-modern-h...l-vessel/28533
                    Why did the USN have such ships in the first place? Well they had plenty of destroyer escorts and not a lot for them to do in the Pacific. While we all focus on the big actions like Tarawa, Makin, Iwo Jima there were many much smaller islands that had to be attached and did not need a full on assault. But this was a time of learning in amphibious warfare and many of the ships types from that time are no longer to be found in service.

                    Some comments brought up the Absolon class, it is close to what the APD's had with the exception it primary assault means would be via helicopter as it does not carry landing craft like a LCVP or LCM. But it weapons fit make it much better suited to the proposed mission than that in the article (SPY radar, SM missiles etc). It is likely that we could get 2x MRV's and 2x Absolon class vessels for the price of one of the proposed LRPV's.

                    Comment


                    • Originally posted by EUFighter View Post
                      Why did the USN have such ships in the first place? Well they had plenty of destroyer escorts and not a lot for them to do in the Pacific. While we all focus on the big actions like Tarawa, Makin, Iwo Jima there were many much smaller islands that had to be attached and did not need a full on assault. But this was a time of learning in amphibious warfare and many of the ships types from that time are no longer to be found in service.

                      Some comments brought up the Absolon class, it is close to what the APD's had with the exception it primary assault means would be via helicopter as it does not carry landing craft like a LCVP or LCM. But it weapons fit make it much better suited to the proposed mission than that in the article (SPY radar, SM missiles etc). It is likely that we could get 2x MRV's and 2x Absolon class vessels for the price of one of the proposed LRPV's.
                      When confronted with the task of putting boots on the ground, particularly in The Far East campaign in WW11, you must get amphibious , and vessels were adapted to do that job, from designed LC's with beach landings, and Merchant ships adapted to operate LCVP's of the day. The evolving Naval needs based on threats saw need for ships that could do specific tasks well, or do a few adequately as in escort and convoy duty. In the early 1950's the Brits saw a need for the first OPV type vessels, initially for FP and surveillance. The Irish followed through eventually building eleven ships all designated OPV. These vessels were, and proved capable of world wide deployment without major support demands. Soon some were adapted for interdictive roles in Falklands and Caribbean and ours did splendidly in the Mediterranean.
                      Right now many versions of the OPV with augmentable roles are in the pipeline with more than 150 vessels in 36 countries and many more to come.
                      Whatever version of MRV we build it MUST be able to land it's movable payload by own craft, own cranes, and quay access doors. It must be able to support a complete mission at home and abroad as our main command platform.

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                      • A design such as the VARD is fine for the mission of equipment transport where RoRo facilities are available at port of departure and arrival. And as we are not in the business of doing opposed amphibious landings this should be sufficient for the primary military mission. However if the vessel is to provide meaningful HADR then the design is lacking in some aspects and the equipment needed for such a mission (plan for the worst case, hope for the best).

                        Imagine somehow we manage to find enough medical staff to run the proposed on-board hospital, if the harbour facilities are blocked how do you get patients to the ship? I have not seen any amphibious ambulances but if they do exist that would be great, but in the mean time the usual transfer method will be helicopter. The best type of helicopter would be a navalised SAR as the SAR missions gives it the onboard equipment needed. As the helicopters would likely travel and operate from the vessel they would need folding rotors, harpoon etc. Do we have this? No Will we ever get this if the SAR contract is a commercial one? No.

                        The next is how do you move the HADR equipment that the engineers have brought with them? One of the basic pieces of equipment would be a JCB, yet that exceeds the limit of the small landing craft proposed. But the mission could require heavier kit, a SX-45 wrecker, a mobile crane like the Liebherr LTM1050, or any other construction equipment the engineers might like to have. But it is worth nothing if it cannot be landed, and the minimum would be an LCM, which is what is found on the Canterbury (could be the similar LCM-E).

                        Procuring a MRV on it's own is like buying a Swiss Army knife with no attachments, the potential is there but it is all the other bits that makes it work. It should be a project that encompasses not only the Naval Service but also the Air Corps, the Army (Logistics and Engineering Corps), the Coast Guard and DFA&T.

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                        • What small landing craft are proposed?
                          For now, everything hangs on implementation of the CoDF report.

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                          • Originally posted by na grohmiti View Post
                            What small landing craft are proposed?
                            On the VARD design they have 2x 15m LCVP, so something that could take some Toyota Land Cruisers but nothing bigger.

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                            • If you want to do HADR you need to be able to put JCB's ashore without the use of port facilities, that means an LCU. That also means you can bring in lorries with PSP and matting, and water purification plants, power generation systems...

                              HADR needs helicopters, LCU, Engineers, loggies, and lots of satellite phones. If you're not bringing that stuff, you're getting in the way,and it would be better if you just donated to charity.

                              Comment


                              • Originally posted by EUFighter View Post
                                On the VARD design they have 2x 15m LCVP, so something that could take some Toyota Land Cruisers but nothing bigger.
                                Where are the specs that suggest this? In any event, if your "LCVP" is mounted on a crane high up, it's not designed to carry any vehicles.
                                A greater priority, in my view is a crane with a reach good enough to self discharge any deck cargo.
                                Let's not call it HADR, that something people who mind servers do in the IT world.
                                This is not a vessel designed for that role, it is merely a platform that would be big enough to be used as such if necessary, and as I keep banging on and on, 90% of it's service will be EEZ patrol, and the annual overseas supply/vehicle repatriation/delivery.
                                Te logistics a ship would provide in this instance is not necessarily its heavy equipment. It is the crew available to do the heavy lifting in the aftermath of such an event, while the victims are more concerned with getting medical care for the injures, locating their missing family and finding shelter.
                                In the past, the RN (no stranger to using all types of landing craft) used their Wildcat Helicopters and RhIBs to bring aid to the Bahamas, liasing with the USCG and Local Emergency response services in the aftermath of Hurricane Dorian. All this was done from RFA Mounts Bay. (an LSD capable of carrying one LCU in its well deck, and fitted with 2 30 tonne cranes, and can carry Mexeflotes attached to the sides.
                                If whatever event you are going to put the port out of action to the extent that you can't drive vehicles onto the quay, then there is a good chance anywhere you land them via landing craft would just mean they all get stuck on a beach somewhere while people on foot go ahead with chainsaws to clear the roads of debris.
                                L.E Eithne demonstrated this potential during the South American trip, when a portion of the skills you would normally find aboard ship, went ashore, in local transport, to repair a local school/orphanage that had been damaged during the rainy season. The materials were locally sourced, the skills available and the hands to do the work what was needed most.
                                So remembering we are looking at a Patrol vessel that can do other things here. Not a Disaster relief ship that can do offshore patrols.
                                For now, everything hangs on implementation of the CoDF report.

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