Two stories of interest regarding work that is being done with Australia's amphibious capability.
The first is Australia putting the Canberra to sea for sea trials. In hindsight its been a rather quick process. The construction went smoothly (from an outside look) and the ship will add much needed capability.
The second story is about Australia sending some of its sailors to the LCM-1E school in Spain. The LCM-1E is quickly becoming the world standard when it comes to landing craft. Take the basic design and upsize it and I'd be happy to call it an LCU(R) candidate. Even in its original design it brings value.
Aircraft are cool, but if you're going to stay for any length of time on the beach you're crossing then you need to bring in heavy supplies by boat/landing craft.
But back on topic. Japan is getting headlines for its move to create a Marine Corps type outfit, but Australia recognized the need first and is well on its way to making the dream a reality.
See, just changing the Kortt nozzle propellers for waterjets already more than doubled the speed of the LC even when loaded. The USMC was focusing too much on slow efficiency and missed out that sometimes, it might just be possible to be fast and efficient at the same time.
ReplyDeleteSometimes I really don't understand the US military. They want high tech for all the stuff that are top end to the point of being techno-finicky, yet miss out on the tech improvements that makes the lower end stuff so much more efficient. Waterjets are even US manufactured OTS.
Aussies need it because they are on their own.
ReplyDelete"DoD official: Asia pivot 'can't happen' due to budget pressures
ARLINGTON, VA. — A senior Pentagon official said on Tuesday that, due to cuts to the defense budget, the Pentagon’s plans to pivot to Asia “can’t happen.”
The pivot, part of a larger plan to focus deployments and military ties to the Asia-Pacific region to combat the rising threat of China, has been a central tenet of Pentagon strategy as the agency looks to wind down the war in Afghanistan.
But Katrina McFarland, assistant secretary of defense for acquisition, said the agency is now reconsidering the strategy in light of the budget pressures it faces.
“Right now, the pivot is being looked at again, because candidly it can’t happen,” she told Aviation Week’s Defense Technologies and Requirements conference in Arlington, Va."
http://www.navytimes.com/article/20140304/NEWS05/303040010/DoD-official-Asia-pivot-can-t-happen-due-budget-pressures
If only the Australian DMO (the logistics and procurement management organisation) actually knew what they were doing. They do not. http://www.ausairpower.net/APA-2011-02.html
ReplyDeleteNot so sure about some 'standard with LCM-1E:
ReplyDelete- An modern version of the M1-A1 is already exceeding her stated standard load-capacity.
- M1-A1 with TUSK will send her deeper over her lines yet.
- Due to inherent inefficiencies of those nice jet-drives, her total range seems well under 200nm at displacement-speed i.e. 11kts.
- While 4 such LCM-Es are nice to have onboard LHD-02, between their limited and slow lift, and short range keeping the LHD close to shore, we'd assume that the while package is meant for mostly fairly permissive situations - likely primarily for showing the flag and HA/DR in the region.
A lot of investment in what capability ??
Plenty of eggs in one 30,000tons LHD-02 basket of two to be available.
Each of the 8-vessel 30-year old LSD-41-class could do multiples the surface-lift from much farther offshore at half the size.
And there are 8 of those to scatter around if need be.
No doubt, Aussie-Critics of LHD-02/03 have long ago lost the argument on the 'basket' and lift issues...
I doubt M1-A1 is that much heavier than the Abrams:
Deletehttp://imageshack.us/a/img560/2989/8341995452487e4e2d17o.jpg
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/BYfcRzNIIAAywTJ.jpg:large
replace "Abrams" with "Leopard 2".
DeleteNo, the Aussies MBT is the M1-A1, not the Leo. Since the Aussies are already using the M1-A1s you would think that they would have measured the weight before buying the LC?
DeleteSorry 20/20, but they are already using the M1A1 and I trust them to be able to do the maths properly.
A breaking news.
ReplyDeleteThe US and Japan signed an agreement to co-develop the next-generation LCS based on LCS2(Austral of Australia) technology. It will weigh around 1,500 tons and be able to carry helicopters.
http://www.jiji.com/jc/c?g=pol&k=2014030400965
that is a big jump from looking at an similar hull design to actually using the LCS-2. All your posts and photo shows is an interest in advanced marine vehicles of the monohull supported by amas type.
ReplyDeleteBTW the LCS-2 is about twice the size of what you state and still cannot carry a significant cargo of USMC gear much less troops~
Meanwhile around the black sea: http://rpdefense.over-blog.com/turkey-to-spend-%24600-mln-on-assault-boats
ReplyDelete