The fast way to get a new DDG would be to license produce the Flight III Arleigh Burkes. The ships have the new, high-performance SPY-6 AESA 3D radar, good survivability, large 96 cell VLS. This would require buying or license producing USN weapons, but would that be so bad? They are proving themselves in the Red Sea and SM-3 can kill ICBMs targeting the UK as well as defend the RN forces from future ASBM attacks with longer range missiles such as used by China while SM-6 can kill ASBMs in terminal phase, provide very long-range AA defense and offer limited capability against hypersonic missiles and have antiship capability. Of course there would be ESSM, SM-2IIIC, VLA and Tomahawk available. The hostile threat environment calls for more VLS cells than the RN has in the Type 45 which is limited in flexibility. One drawback is that AB probably cannot operate Merlin helicopters. Cost wise, the UK needs the range and scope of capability offered by Burkes.
As an American, I am a little biased.
As an American, I am a little biased.
statistics: Posted by sciquest — 7:39 PM - 1 day ago — Replies 1 — Views 77