A supertanker would make a fine antipiracy base platform or even a replenishment base for AGS Lite on LCS or AB platforms. Standing off outside the range of shore based AShM's it could keep a rotation of AGS platforms in action and permit unrelenting WWII like NGFS (the accuracy would be much better than in WWII, and 16" projectiles were rarely needed against ordinary targets - their large blast radius did help offset their lack of guidence - but direct hits from 155mm would destroy most targets).
A supertanker base ship might get by with a pair of 57mm mounts, a VLS and about 4 CIWS mounts (perhaps 6) for self defense. Big diesels and some thruster pods could probably give her a speed of around 20 knots light. A big well deck that could accomodate an AB would be pretty cool, perhaps it could service two LCS's at once. A different approach to the arsenal ship, an at sea supply base instead of a missile launch platform as it was previously envisioned. About three or four should be enough, perhaps use one for each Zumwalt squadron? One onf these, a Zumwalt flagship, along with several AB's and LCS's with AGS Lite. The force could be rounded out with a few conventional AB's and LCS's, and given aircover when necessary.
A bit of historical perspective: Imagine naval enthusiasts a hundred years ago hearing concerns about putting a 6" gun on a 3000 ton ship or putting only one on a 10,000 ton "front line" surface combatant.;)
A supertanker base ship might get by with a pair of 57mm mounts, a VLS and about 4 CIWS mounts (perhaps 6) for self defense. Big diesels and some thruster pods could probably give her a speed of around 20 knots light. A big well deck that could accomodate an AB would be pretty cool, perhaps it could service two LCS's at once. A different approach to the arsenal ship, an at sea supply base instead of a missile launch platform as it was previously envisioned. About three or four should be enough, perhaps use one for each Zumwalt squadron? One onf these, a Zumwalt flagship, along with several AB's and LCS's with AGS Lite. The force could be rounded out with a few conventional AB's and LCS's, and given aircover when necessary.
A bit of historical perspective: Imagine naval enthusiasts a hundred years ago hearing concerns about putting a 6" gun on a 3000 ton ship or putting only one on a 10,000 ton "front line" surface combatant.;)
Comment