Page 2 of 2
As long as it was able to defend itself from the generic missile, torpedo, and small craft threat, a New Zealand platform fitted with a specialised capability module would fit well in such a force. '
Well the ANZAC's can hardly do that now...
I see that modularity is talked about in this article. It may work for a larger fleet, but could hamper a smaller agile fleet like the RNZN. His example of only having 2 ASW modules and swapping out as needed is bizarre idea to say the least. This becomes dangerous as a vessel's mission can change at the drop of a hat, and not having the time to come home swap out the module and go back to the theatre of operation. The main issue the RNZN has is that it does not have enough combatants and only having two ANZAC's is simply put not enough. Even with the two OPV's our ANZAC's have been overworked. Having them have to keep changing modules does not speed things up and can possibly put the crew in danger if they get caught up in something that is out of the blue because they did not have the ASW module installed or Anti Air module...
The Cube Module design from SH Defence however is interesting... but I say that with a caveat.
The Cube Module design from SH Defence however is interesting... but I say that with a caveat.
When we had a four frigate fleet, every one of those was permanently equipped for all likely missions. With modularity, we might be able to focus investment on two anti-submarine warfare modules installed in platforms as required for training and operational deployments. This would make it easier to acquire meaningful, credible capability.
Take our lessons from East Timor, and change if ever so slightly that we are going into East Timor thinking it is all HADR we swap out all the modules to help with this... (using their example that a CIWS is on a module, and the RNZN to save money has this. We leave this behind because hey it's HADR) limiting the weapons available. We get to East Timor and find that the threat is a lot higher, including fast boat attacks which if the CIWS module was installed would be able to deal with this... The Cube would work well on a vessel like HMNZS Manawanui, maybe the OPV's but not the ANZAC's or combatants.
Now as suggested on two ASW modules, and East Timor the were Indonesian submarines lurking oh crap one is in maintenance or the training module or is already installed on HMNZS Manawanui for another operation and the second is on Te Mana on the other side of the world...This kind of modularity or fitted for but not with should not even be suggested for front-line combatants and becomes dangerous for the crew.
How does this ASW module work, is it just a dipping sonar which for sub-hunting for a ship a helo can do that, is it a towed array? which needs to be towed behind and not from the side mission bays. Or does every vessel have a hull-mounted sonar and the module is just a command and controls for it which then, what is the point of a module as just it gets tied to the CMS... and if it is just the interface and controls that is just a waste of time and effort?
Now as suggested on two ASW modules, and East Timor the were Indonesian submarines lurking oh crap one is in maintenance or the training module or is already installed on HMNZS Manawanui for another operation and the second is on Te Mana on the other side of the world...This kind of modularity or fitted for but not with should not even be suggested for front-line combatants and becomes dangerous for the crew.
How does this ASW module work, is it just a dipping sonar which for sub-hunting for a ship a helo can do that, is it a towed array? which needs to be towed behind and not from the side mission bays. Or does every vessel have a hull-mounted sonar and the module is just a command and controls for it which then, what is the point of a module as just it gets tied to the CMS... and if it is just the interface and controls that is just a waste of time and effort?
How often can the crew train? Only when they are back at Devonport? So do they have to install the actual sonar every time? So does it also fit on the OPV's as well? I have the same questions??? Modularity only works to a certain extent to a certain point before it becomes a waste of time and effort money and resources and can become dangerous, especially in a small agile fleet like the RNZN. You can not and should not swap out core systems of a combatant like this (ie; ASW module) else they become waste of time and money and potentially dangerous for the crew)
Making a vessel able to do too many things or become "a jack of all trades", however "a master of none" and when you have swap out things it just adds another layer of things that can go wrong and you end up with an MRV like HMNZS Canterbury that tried to be able to do too many things one platform and in reality can only do some of what was laid out for her and do it "Okay" but not that great at them.
Making a vessel able to do too many things or become "a jack of all trades", however "a master of none" and when you have swap out things it just adds another layer of things that can go wrong and you end up with an MRV like HMNZS Canterbury that tried to be able to do too many things one platform and in reality can only do some of what was laid out for her and do it "Okay" but not that great at them.
