What confuses me is the supposedly Russian Mistral seems to have AK-630 in such a configuration where massive blind spots exist, and this is for a navy that likes redundancy in CIWS. I have trouble believing that configuration will be accepted…should juts scrap the whole thing. 😮

Remember, the main purpose of this ship is to stand off and deliver troops. It’s purpose is not to be a surface combattant…. it has escorts for that purpose. Though you might send up some AAM equipped attack heli’s if that helps.

Plus, different weapons systems should provide supporting arcs. Check out various arrangements found on USN LHA/D: http://blog.daum.net/han0114/13778027 (sure there are many which do not provide 360 degree ciws or missile coverage.

Surfacing, or sinking by the stern ? :diablo:

But seriously …

Some interesting photography of the path to this here:
http://www.comtourist.com/travel/belarus-ukraine/photos-black-sea-fleet/page/2/
http://thebrigade.thechive.com/2012/04/30/ukraine-is-testing-the-zaporizhzhia-u-01im-going-to-pass-on-joining-them-17-photos/

Between 23 and 27 April 2012, the sole Ukrainian submarine Zaporizya conducted a series of test in the Black Sea. This is the first time that the 42 year old submarine sailed alone since 1992.

Story: http://turkishnavy.net/category/ukraine/

So for all that talk about the Russian Mistrals needing to be well-armed and capable of defending themselves, with even SSMs being touted as part of the armament, we get a product that is practically defenceless. Even the Stereguschys will be able to take care of themselves better. Just 2 AK-630s(that too of the old single-gun variety) for 360 degree coverage?:D

I guess the realities constrained their original goals. Turning an LHD into an ‘aviation cruiser’ esque ship may require too many structural changes and push the cost up ala the Vikramaditya.

The purpose of the LHD acquisition is also to modernize domestic shipbuilding…

Two AK630 will give 360 coverage, if a bit farther out than ideally the case. Gibka’s can each take up to 12 ready missiles. I expect, given French arms fit, that there could also be some naval HMG mounts, either 12,7 or 14,5 mm.

MTPU 14.5mm marine pedestal machine-gun mount / 12.7 mm Kord machine gun 6P59 on the mounting 6U16 and stand SP

http://www.navyrecognition.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=510

looks like the Russian BPC is coming along. does anyone know why they would redesign the superstructure like that?

2 Gibka and 2 Ak-630….lame.

I suppose they would want minimal structural changes, which kind of limits what weapons can be mounted. Plus, in French service, these ships carry an incredibly heavy armament, consisting of … 2 x Simbad systems (i.e. manually aimed twin pedestal launcher for Mistral MANPADS) plus 4 x 12.7 mm M2-HB Browning machine guns. So actually, armament in Russian service is better.

I’ll happily criticise the LCS concept ’til the manatees come home but I think that you may be looking at the 57mm v 76mm all wrong.

The USN have invested (and developed) in ‘Bofors’ 57mm as their new CIWS for LCS, Coastguard and Zumwalts and presumably whatever comes next. They clearly feel that it can do CIWS better than Phalanx or Oto 76mm. It is not instead of MCG it is instead of Phalanx

Putting 76mm on LCS may (will) give them more punch v surface targets (ship and shore) but if that was the idea then they would have speccd for 5″ in the first place.

The study above mentioning this and any third party discussion (for which thanks) goes in the box marked ‘completeness’ in my view.

Now if only BAe can get their bottoms in gear and make each equipment and weapon position on T26 truly modular there’s a big export to USN to fill in between LCS and Arleigh Burkes.

Is there any report or info suggesting USN has looked at, considered or even tested Oto 76 compact SR with Davide/Strales?

Is there any known official comparison of the 57 mk 2 or 3 and equivalent Oto 76mm?

Most navies use the Oto primarily as AAA IIRC

The prospect of buying the HMS Prince of Wales just gets more and more attractive, eh?;)

The Indian Navy should have bought the Invincible and its Sea Harriers when they retired. They’d have made a nice stopgap replacement for the Viraat until the ADS entered service.

Perhaps they can lease Spain’s Principe d’Asturias as an interim solution…

PdA was scheduled for a major refit in 2013 (when 25 year old), to take her through to the expected 35-40 year service life. Up to last year, a replacement was expected to be ordered for delivery sometime in the 2025-2030 period. The recent discussion is to place her “in reserve” instead of the refit… with that refit to take place “when” economic recovery allows the budget for it. Which would make it very unlikely she would be returned to Spanish navy service…. Leasing her out would at least generate some money in the meantime!
http://www.elmundo.es/elmundo/2012/05/08/espana/1336468946.html
http://www.murciatoday.com/is-it-early-retirement-for-the-principe-de-asturias_11567-a.html