Reading some of the naval blogs I subscribe to, I'm a bit out of my depth. Can you help me?

1. What's the big issue with the DDG-1000? What are its advantages/disadvantages over more DDG-51?

2. What's a Future Surface Combatant and is it the same thing as the Royal Navy are planning to order to replace the Type 22/23 frigates?

3. Explain the Littoral Combat Ship to me and the controversy over that.

4. When does the US need to start building more cruisers to replace the Ticos?

 

On other subjects:

1. If the PRC are completing Varyag, when would we be likely to see it in service?

2. Are the Russians actually building vessels at a half-decent rate now?

3. What, in your opinon, is the next "big thing", naval-wise?

2. Are the Russians actually building vessels at a half-decent rate now?

That's for me the only question with easy answer: "no"

Reading some of the naval blogs I subscribe to, I'm a bit out of my depth. Can you help me?

1. What's the big issue with the DDG-1000? What are its advantages/disadvantages over more DDG-51?

 

http://harpgamer.com/harpforum/index.php?s...ost&p=12144

 

2. What's a Future Surface Combatant and is it the same thing as the Royal Navy are planning to order to replace the Type 22/23 frigates?

 

The FSC program is intended to recapitalize the Royal Navy's frigate and minor warship fleet out to 2035. So, yeah, that means a replacement for the Type 22/23 frigates as well as mine countermeasures vessels (MCMVs) and some auxiliaries. Very ambitious, obviously, but it is hoped to draw on experience gained with the Type 45 and CVF programs.

 

3. Explain the Littoral Combat Ship to me and the controversy over that.

 

The little ship that everyone (it seems) loves to hate? The 'controversy' is probably due - in part, at least - to the fact that its 'popular' to hate the LCS. The other, more legitimate part of the debate has to do with the ballooning cost and a concern that the LCS may not possess the ability to fight and survive in a high threat environment (as compared to traditional warships like the Burke). Its much deeper than that, of course, but there is a LOT of reading material out there on this issue.

 

4. When does the US need to start building more cruisers to replace the Ticos?

 

Look up a program called CG(X) ...

 

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/CG(X)

Thanks for all that. I forgot you'd already answered about the DDG 1000.

1. If the PRC are completing Varyag, when would we be likely to see it in service?

 

Varyag was recently (earlier this month) moved into a dry dock at Dalian. I think most folks think it will be used to train and develop the PLAN's future naval aviation, rather than serve as a front line warship.

 

2. Are the Russians actually building vessels at a half-decent rate now?

 

Not really. Its still pretty slow going on the higher profile stuff, like major surface combatants and submarines, though they have been producing a few smaller combatants that garner less attention.

 

3. What, in your opinon, is the next "big thing", naval-wise?

 

IMHO, probably one of the biggest things on the horizon are the unmanned surface vessels (USVs) and unmanned underwater vehicles (UUVs).

Are the Russians actually building vessels at a half-decent rate now?

 

More on this topic here: The Russian Navy revitalized, an article by Milan Vego (a well known name in Harpoon circles) in the May 2009 issue of Armed Forces Journal.