miroslav Tue Aug 07, 2018 8:04 pm
Big_Gazza wrote: miroslav wrote:Complete BS, the Bykov class, an existing ship that is in production, is 25% larger with all the room needed for all the bells and whistles necessary for ASW.
Not convinced. The Bykov is a great vessel and carries the pre-requisite helo, but she lacks bow sonar, and despite what some think, adding such is a big engineering change. A true ASW ship should also have a towed sonar array, torpedo launchers, a short-range MLRS like an RBK/RBU (don't underestimate these things in littoral settings...), and preferably a UKSK for an 8-pack of long range ASW missiles. The Bykov can carry some of these, but not all, and while a suitably kitted-out Bykov can be a very useful long duration sub-hunter (PDragons idea of a Bykov working the SSBN bastions is a great example), there would still be a need for specialised fast-reaction ASW vessels with more comprehensive sensors and weapons.
I generally agree but I also think that Bykov can be updated to carry all those things.
Installing a bow sonar is not easy, that's true, but not all ships meant for ASW have them or need them, many of them like the smaller Russian ASW corvettes and the Gepard class frigates have a hull mounted sonar and a variable depth sonar (the dipping kind) along with a towed array (frigates).
Gepard class has the Zarnitsa sonar suite and the MGK-335EM-03 sonar, if any one has more info on these please share it!
Bykov has plenty of speed and endurance and considering its a long patrol vessel it must be stable in high seas. It also has plenty of room.
I do agree about the RBU-6000, is mandatory in all cases. With the new "smart-active" mines it is a very good system. In case of bigger ships, the British Duke class frigates only carry small caliber torpedoes, the Stingray, and use the helicopter as the main offensive platform for ASW, the 4 torpedo tubes (2 on each side) are more for self defense that anything else.
Bykov can be easily (relative term) updated to have a hull mounted sonar, towed array or dipping sonar at least, 2X4 launchers for Paket-NK torpedoes , RBU-6000, and there is the hello that can carry 1-2 torpedoes on its on plus a dipping sonar.
The only think that troubles me about the Bykov class is that the superstructure is very weird, having a large open space at he back. A ship like this at the open sea will need a Pantsir-M for decent air protection but I don't know where they would put it and place the other stuff like the RBU-6000.
Another thing that I would mention is that we still do not know how the back side of the ship is actually confgured, what are the dimension, will the top side be able to open like doors for a containerized launcher beneath etc.