navydavesof wrote:
Hey everyone!
What about reactivating the FRAM II Gearing-class DDs and modernizing them to capable 1980s standards? As was going to be done with the battleships, the FRAMII Gearings could have their 5"/38 caliber mounts replaced with the 5"/54caliber twin gun mounts designed for the Montana-class battleships.
Perhaps we could even WHIF twin Mk45 Mod2 5"/54 mechnisms inside of the Montana-style 5"/54caliber gun houses to increase sustained rate of fire, reduce manning, and give the guns the advantage of loader drums.
Active and passive self defenses would not be that difficult to install. Since it would intentionally operating very close to the shore, a reliable amount of active close-in weapons would be paramount. Their DASH hangars could be used for storage, maintenance, and utilization of Pioneer RPVs and their associated launching and recovery gear.
Here is what I propose:
- SPS-40
- SPS-55
- SLQ-32
- SPQ-9A
- TAS-23
- retention of the Mk37 director
- 6x 5"/54caliber guns in twin mounts
- 2-3x Phalanx CIWS
- 2x Mk38 25mm gun
- 8x Harpoon
- ASROC launcher for SMARTROC
I think we know I would be onboard with this. The Mk65/66 was a proposed single/twin rapid fire version of the Mk 45, and I think that may be a likely fit here.
http://www.navweaps.com/Weapons/WNUS_5-54_mk65.htmSMARTROC give a heavier hit when high accuracy single point delivery is needed.
An offshoot of this same concept I had been mentally working out was essentially a new-build Gearing hull, perhaps enlarged, but only slightly, replacing steam with LM-2500s and diesels in a CODAG arrangement - two engine rooms each with a turbine and a diesel. The turbine allows for quick reaction sprints, the diesels long range cruising, both can be quieted much better that the steam of the original design and require fewer personnel. Combined with the automated guns, the crew requirements should be significantly reduced.
I had two twin Mk66 (or two single Mk71), one forward, one aft (as in most FRAMs) with the B mount being a STANFLEX style modular fit - Sea Sparrow, Mk 75 76mm, or Harpoon + CIWS. Of course, nothing says those Harpoon canisters can't be SLAM-ER instead at the right time. The helo hangar/deck I had a few different ideas for - clearly the hangar/deck could be retained (but is not very large - SH-2 might be the limit of reasonable size), or another weapon module could go in. I was leaning to:
A) (General Purpose) Sea Sparrow (Mk 29) forward with the aft helo facilities replaced by another module with Harpoon/CIWS
B) (spec ops support) Sea Sparrow forward retaining aft helo facilities if I could get two MH6 or OH-58 on board, with CIWS on the roof of the Helo Hangar
C) (Gunfighter) MK 75 fwd and Harpoon/CIWS aft - for clearing out those pesky boghammars.
Two Twin Guns forward with an enlarged helo facility aft is also an option (similar to FRAM I group A with the helo hangar and deck 'slid' aft to make more room)- 2 twin Mk66 fwd, ASROC(SMARTROC) amidships, Helo hangar and deck for two MH-6/OH-58/Pioneer aft with CIWS/MK 29 on the roof with Mk38s along the sides.
Of course, your six gun (two twin mounts) layout would rain steel on whatever was foolish enough to exist within range of those guns and offend the vessel (like other vessels, re-purposed oil platforms, beachheads....).
Obviously, if the new build option is taken, the hull life allows for RAM and other items later.
There is also the option of a new-build hull with a weapons fit similar to Fletcher, with 4 Mk 45 (2 forward, 2 aft) and CIWS. Clearly what is above is better, but the simplicity of the 'Fletcher re-start' might make it a possibility, and may be a reasonable candidate for a 'surge vessel' which is in reserve commission most of the time and fully manned and called forward when needed.