CDR Salamander - Big Surface Combatants are so Hot Right Now

Today post is, in a fashion, a follow-on to yesterday’s post on what will probably be the never-was-has-been BBGN—and what we need to build should this no longer be an option.

That being said, there is a long-standing requirement for a large surface combatant—conventional or nuclear—for decades. A big ship brings things to the fight in useful mass that smaller ships can provide only in drips:

• Capacity: more weapons for more warfare areas to sustain combat over a longer period

• Capability: large missiles with range and impact downrange require large displacement

• Power: radar, lasers, railguns take power

And no, “drones can do this” is not the answer. They are adjuncts and additions to, not substitutes for manned platforms.

The experience of the last few years in the Israeli littoral, the Red Sea, and the seas off the Strait of Hormuz has demonstrated the value of large magazines, superior sensors, and station-keeping that large surface combatants can provide better than any other platform.

It also demonstrated that if you need to project power ashore or defend against ballistic missiles, nothing is more capable or survivable than a properly equipped surface vessel.

More and more nations are realizing this fact. Some, like Japan, figured it out and acted on it early.

All they need to do is find the money to build them.

If BBGN is not to see the light of day, then let’s look at two existing ‘large frigates/destroyers’—that are actually cruisers—already at sea; one under construction; and proposals from three other nations waiting to cut steel.

The Proposals

Some of these may never displace water, but the thinking behind them—and the commonality of mission—leaves an impression.

From France, we have a proposal for the rail-gun armed, drone-focused SCX26.

Just next door, the Germans are pondering the F127.

Heading south, Italy’s DD(X) seems to fit the bill.

Under Construction

As we’ve discussed before, Japan has the yet-to-be-properly-named ASEV under construction.

At Sea

Of course, we have our highly modified and updated late-Cold-War Arleigh Burke Flight III.

And of course, we have the People’s Liberation Army Navy’s answer to the challenge, the Type 055. It isn’t a new design or concept any more than the Arleigh Burke, but it fits the category.

Here they are for comparison’s.

It used to be, back before the turn of the century, that the U.S. Navy led the world in warship development. People copied our designs, loved to buy our ships, steal our ideas, but that pretty much ended decades ago.

Don’t get me wrong: we are still world-beating, mostly, in offensive and defensive weapons and sensors—but not in what carries them into battle.

That can change…but we keep going to the same well expecting different results.

Other nations seem to have the right ideas, but just don’t have the money to build substantial fleets.

Balk. Stall. Pause. Reconsider…while the rest of the world generates the better ideas.

We need to do better.

This bit of animation is … fun. Enjoy.

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