just art work. Notice the MSC stripes on stack and it looks very much like an LMSR. Notice shape of superstructure and tripod supporting stern ramp See USNS Yano on MSC webpage: http://www.msc.navy.mil/inventory/pics/yano.jpg
I have confirmed that the images above are photoshops of the USNS GYSGT FRED W. STOCKHAM a MSC LMSR which was modified first to be an AFSB and then to service in the MPF
I wonder why we don't make more use of container ships for warfare? That would be the ultimate 'modular' package.
Containers loaded with Tomahawks, Standard MK2/Mk3 missiles, or a rudimentary elevator for helos to turn it into an ASW/V-STOL platform like the Arapaho program.
@ Paralus - I wrote about the possibile millitary roles for containerships awhile back - Hope you find it interesting... http://www.thinkdefence.co.uk/2012/03/a-ship-for-all-seasons-or-the-return-of-the-auxiliary-cruiser/
@Gareth - good article. As others have said, this is not a replacement for purpose-built vessels like cruisers or submarines, but as a sort of surge capacity for war, humanitarian disasters, etc. I wonder what a Navy that operated such vessels would need to look like in terms of personnel. Different articles have mentioned reservists which makes sense.
If these missions are containerized, then so could training facilities across the entire nation, even land-locked reserve stations (for the US at least). Sensor specialists, weapons specialists, aviation specialists, logistics, missile, etc., that could be called up for monthly training in a facility no bigger than a warehouse. Once a year they could put to sea for an exercise or perhaps a humanitarian mission.
A whole range of MOS could be created just for manning just such ships. And the advantage is that there would be hundreds of suitable container ships that could in any number of ports where specialists could be sent to deploy and containers flown in to an adjacent airport. This could re-direct deployment away from already busy Naval ports to commercial ports where escorts could be sent to rendezvous with the container ships.
How great would it be to have an enemy wouldn't be able to discern the mission-package of such a ship at first, disguising our intentions and forcing them to plan for a variety of different threats.
the trick would be having enough suitable vessels in friendly ports that could be nationalized during emergencies. Perhaps have a nation's merchant marine operate a pool of such craft that, when not used by the Navy, could be earning income as cargo vessels.
Gents having put a hellavu lot of ammo on sealift ships, I agree that containerized weapons are doable and their are ship in the RRF which could lift and support such weapons. But... Most ports do NOT want ammo ships in them. Ammo loaded ships work at specialized ports like Naval Weapons Stations and Ammo depots here in the states. The MPF is lucky to have a huge lagoon at DGAR for which to anchor out the MPS. And... Most ammo shipments by sea move in ISO Freight Containers which is the technical name for those boxes~
May we have a link please?
ReplyDeleteNot Haze Grey as the page isn't available.
just art work.
ReplyDeleteNotice the MSC stripes on stack and it looks very much like an LMSR. Notice shape of superstructure and tripod supporting stern ramp
See USNS Yano on MSC webpage:
http://www.msc.navy.mil/inventory/pics/yano.jpg
I have confirmed that the images above are photoshops of the USNS GYSGT FRED W. STOCKHAM a MSC LMSR which was modified first to be an AFSB and then to service in the MPF
DeleteBTW two LMSRs have been converted and assigned to MPF. USNS Seay looks like Yano
ReplyDeleteI wonder why we don't make more use of container ships for warfare? That would be the ultimate 'modular' package.
ReplyDeleteContainers loaded with Tomahawks, Standard MK2/Mk3 missiles, or a rudimentary elevator for helos to turn it into an ASW/V-STOL platform like the Arapaho program.
@ Paralus - I wrote about the possibile millitary roles for containerships awhile back - Hope you find it interesting...
ReplyDeletehttp://www.thinkdefence.co.uk/2012/03/a-ship-for-all-seasons-or-the-return-of-the-auxiliary-cruiser/
@Gareth - good article. As others have said, this is not a replacement for purpose-built vessels like cruisers or submarines, but as a sort of surge capacity for war, humanitarian disasters, etc. I wonder what a Navy that operated such vessels would need to look like in terms of personnel. Different articles have mentioned reservists which makes sense.
ReplyDeleteIf these missions are containerized, then so could training facilities across the entire nation, even land-locked reserve stations (for the US at least). Sensor specialists, weapons specialists, aviation specialists, logistics, missile, etc., that could be called up for monthly training in a facility no bigger than a warehouse. Once a year they could put to sea for an exercise or perhaps a humanitarian mission.
A whole range of MOS could be created just for manning just such ships. And the advantage is that there would be hundreds of suitable container ships that could in any number of ports where specialists could be sent to deploy and containers flown in to an adjacent airport. This could re-direct deployment away from already busy Naval ports to commercial ports where escorts could be sent to rendezvous with the container ships.
How great would it be to have an enemy wouldn't be able to discern the mission-package of such a ship at first, disguising our intentions and forcing them to plan for a variety of different threats.
the trick would be having enough suitable vessels in friendly ports that could be nationalized during emergencies. Perhaps have a nation's merchant marine operate a pool of such craft that, when not used by the Navy, could be earning income as cargo vessels.
Gents having put a hellavu lot of ammo on sealift ships, I agree that containerized weapons are doable and their are ship in the RRF which could lift and support such weapons.
ReplyDeleteBut...
Most ports do NOT want ammo ships in them. Ammo loaded ships work at specialized ports like Naval Weapons Stations and Ammo depots here in the states.
The MPF is lucky to have a huge lagoon at DGAR for which to anchor out the MPS.
And...
Most ammo shipments by sea move in ISO Freight Containers which is the technical name for those boxes~