The navy is pushing hard to get four modules of VLS installed on the LHD's as well as Nulka (im sure Nulka is a given). So a 32 cell armed LHD (for a mixture of say 32 ESSM and 24 SM2), 16 Nulka, 2-4 Typhoon mounts plus HMG's (probably MiniTyphoon) Coupled with with the Mk 3E combat system, the LHD's will be very capable of defending themselfs. Also remember you may have Hellfire armed Tigers onboard or a Penguin armed helicopters (seahawk if upgraded or a future naval helo) would even give you limited offencive capability........F-35 anybody?????? (Na don't won't to start that argument again :)  

 

Our navy is far too small for these ships not to be capable of defending themselfs.

Dunno if you're ship or shore based now, but if you get to CP you'll see 3metre schematics of the LHD's in D Block. 

 

I've dribbled all over those schemers, and I haven't seen any VLS baskets in place (or any representative diagrams of verty JSF's in the hangers or on deck )

Im newly promoted to the lofty hights of PO and am the MK 45 gun instructor at the ANZAC school where VLS is taught for the whole navy and my fellow instructor has been told to prepare for not only the AWD's but the LHD's as well.

 

"CP"? is that some place at Russel? never been to Canberra (since I joined up a decade ago). But I would love to pour over thoughs schematics! wet dream stuff (I know thats really really sad!!!!:)

Hey Puss.

 

GF means the office blocks behind the main buildings at Russell.  'Those'schematics are really quite something from what I have heard..........Damn GC!

 

Quite happy to hear that you have been hearing about the possibility of 4 Mk 41 (I assume) VLS modules. I totally agree that, given the size of our navy, there is a need for these LHDs to be self-protection capable. Its not ideal that they ever need to use them - but to have them.....

 

Brett.

Am I the only one who thinks that the main Russell Complex looks like two Pentagons! (If that was intentional, then I like their style!)

 

Brett.

(there are WO's there that have not left the place since they where AB's!)

I know one WO I wish had stayed there, it would have made my life a lot easier!

On topic:

 

Yes I do think the LHD's should be better armed. 

 

Do I think they WILL be better armed? No.

 

I think the planned for 4x Typhoon 25mm guns, the usual small arms (and I include the 12.7mm guns here) complement and PERHAPS a Phalanx and whatever armed helo capability is on-board is all they'll get short of a likely shooting war...

My preferred "peace time" fit would be for the 4x 25mm Typhoon guns and SEA-RAM or equivalent (Mistral) as a minimum however. 

Being someone who is currently involved with the LHD project, the people in the navy might talk about things that are happening with the LHD but having read the contract a lot of those things you talk about (nulka for example) are not in the contract and for these to be placed onboard the Navy have to come back with a Contract Change Propasal which means more money they have to hand out. These ships aren't designed to protect themselves. They are a command ship designed for Amphibious Assult and will at all time be in comapny with another warship.

Being ex navy you can't always believe the stories that you hear.