Auxillary Cruisers

[monkeyhanger]

I was thinking the other day about the action of Jervis Bay in World War II. Look it up at:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/HMS_Jervis_Bay_(F40)

if you don't know.

What about modern 'auxillary cruisers'? Would they be used? What weapons fit? What kits are available?

As usual I have some ideas but I look forward to responses from you lot.

Robert

p.s. I think Revell would be a good source of kits. I must check Hannants website.

[Hobbes]

I dunno, but I'm under the impression that today's oceangoing ships are stupendously massive. A 500,000 ton bulk carrier isn't much use as a warship.

That said, modern weapons should be easier to integrate than old-style gun mounts. A CIWS fits inside/on top of a standard shipping container, missiles radars etc. can be containerized as well. Just weld the container to the deck and it should be secure enough to function. You couldn't do that with a 5" gun.

The best ships to use for this sort of job would be fast ferries (turbine-powered catamarans).  

[B777LR]

Hey, what about converting channel feries and cruise ships? I have travelled aboard this ferry 4 times, and i can say its really suitable for deck guns:
http://www.polferries.pl/en/center_main.ph...y_pom_opis#menu

[Geoff]

Atlantic Conveyer was sort of used in the aux CV role but got sunk. How about a modern version with the point blank defence systems and SAMs in self contained units that can be fitted as required, as Hobbes sugests but use the larger vessel as a helicopter or Harrier carrier to bulk out a task force for smaller navies. It would need the protection of escorts of course, and I suspect there are very good reasons we don't do this?        

[monkeyhanger]

I remember the stuff in the 80s about using modular weapons systems and certainly the large bulk carriers would make good helicopter/VSTOL platforms. Any kit recomendations?

[B777LR]

I remember the stuff in the 80s about using modular weapons systems

Yes, the danish navy uses tons of those ships, the size of a large fishing boat. Theres a naval shipyard with a floating dock just next to my daddys work. There is allways one of those in the dock

[B777LR]

Here it is:
http://www.naval-technology.com/projects/fly/

[RLBH]

A container ship with the Arapaho fit ought to do the job quite nicely. Harriers, Sea King, and decent defensive armament (Lightweight Sea Wolf, IIRC).

[GTX]

I remember the stuff in the 80s about using modular weapons systems and certainly the large bulk carriers would make good helicopter/VSTOL platforms. Any kit recomendations?

Ah yes, the SCADS (shipborne containerized air-defense system) concept - I always liked that idea:



This idea had all the equipment needed to put together a small ski-jump Harrier carrier, including living quarters, fuel and munitions storage, maintenance facilities, missile and decoy launchers, antisubmarine helicopter facilities, and a ski-jump deck.  It would be built in a modular fashion, based on the standard container sizes used on container ships, and put in storage. The entire kit could be assembled in about two days on a container ship when needed, with provisions for 30 days of operation without resupply. The kit would be removed and stored again when the emergency was over.

the danish navy uses tons of those ships, the size of a large fishing boat

Yes the Danes have largely led the world in this area with thier STANFLEX concept.  Mind you a lot of other navies have taken an interest and in fact, I believe the new USN LCS's take on much of their philosophy.  

Hey, what about converting channel feries and cruise ships?

Effectively, the RAN's modern HMAS Jervis Bay (I just had to mention this one in this discussion ) was nothing more than a high speed ferry in grey paint.  But if one were to fit some missile batteries (say half ASMs, half SAMs), maybe a 25mmm - 35mm auto cannon and perhaps a landing platform for 1 - 2 armed helicopters/UAVs.



Look here for more info on it.  If you have a look, INCAT have started to incorporate some of these ideas in the USN ships as well as their military concepts (see here - just click on the selections on the side bar.

Regards,

Greg

[jcf]

Howzabout 'Sea Base'?

Sea Base

Cheers, Jon

[B777LR]

Doesnt the USN also operate a high speed catamaran ferry as well? I recently heard that it had been sold as passenger craft.  

[Joe C-P]

Doesnt the USN also operate a high speed catamaran ferry as well? I recently heard that it had been sold as passenger craft.

Both the USN and US Army have purchased high-speed cats as experimental vessels. They've been heavily used, and both forces are likely to purchase more.

JoeP

[GTX]

Doesnt the USN also operate a high speed catamaran ferry as well?

Yes they do - see here - just click on the selections on the side bar (the ones you would be interested in are the Joint Venture HSV-X1; the TSV-1X Spearhead; and the HSV 2 Swift).

Regards,

Greg

[Howard of Effingham]

thanks greg for mentioning the SCADS proposals.  ^_^

i recall those well and the issue of 'air pictorial' from the 1980's that had details
and diagrams of the 'skyhook' proposal   as it ain't in my stash no more.
it would have allowed a warship down to say a type 23 destroyer to have operated
harriers [just one or two like idrc like] and could have been very useful in limited
war scenario's.

trevor

[Joe C-P]

I've thought about a "Cold War turns Hot" convoy diorama - a mix of US, RN, and RCN frigates, with a DD or old CLG as leader, around a mixed gaggle of typical commercial vessels, one a SCADs.

JoeP