IAFM - Key Concepts - New Task Force Types

-

 

The core of each IAFM task force revolves around a two-ship element consisting of an aviation ship (CV55 in the CVCOM, CVL-150 in the SAGCOM) and an SC-150 cruiser.  Most navy missions benefit greatly from having an aviation ship at their core, even a limited one like the 15-20,000t CVL-150, and everyone benefits from a high-end IAMD missile cruiser.

Consider the number of helicopter sorties per day required just for ASW. From the CNA's report entitled "Future Helicopter Force Requirements Analysis".

CNA - Pg 28

When a separate task force also has to contend with Surface Warfare in addition to ASW, and has no supporting assets like P-3s, the number of helicopters needed in the task force could go up to 27 H-60R/ Ss or more, 19 MH-60Rs and 8 that can be either Rs or Ss.  If the number of false contacts is high, or sonar conditions are poor, the number of helicopters needed could be twice that.

CNA - Pg 38

Assuming external assets like P-3s and TACAIR are available, the requirement goes down somewhat, but the task force still needs 19 H-60R/Ss.

CNA - Pg 40

So an independent task force, consisting of only surface combatants, without outside help, would need at least fourteen Flt IIA DDGs, with two MH-60s each to meet the requirement.  In the IAFM, a SAGCOM based around a CVL and CG, starts with 10 helicopters already, without attaching an escort squadron (assuming 10 F-35Bs and 8 H-60s on the CVL and 2 H-60s on the CG).  

To fill out a viable task force, the IAFM combines a CVCOM/SAGCOM and with an of escort squadron consisting of Frigate Platform Docks (FPD), Frigate Arsenal Ships (FMG), and Patrol Frigates (FF), notionally 4 ships per squadron. By tailoring the attached squadrons, different missions can be emphasized.  

For example, a CVCOM with attached FPD squadron (CV55, CG, and 4xFPDs) could perform the full ARG/ESG role.  
CVCOM with FPD Squadron



A CVCOM with attached FMG squadron (CV55, CG and 4xFMGs) can perform high-end, high-capacity strike missions.


CVCOM with FMG Squadron


Hybrid task forces can have a tailored mix of ships.  The picture below depicts a SAGCOM (CG and CVL), accompanied by a hybrid squadron of escorts (1 x FPD, 1 x FMG, 2 x FF).


This task force, while not including a full-sized CV, still has some impressive capabilities including,

F-35B10
H-60R/S20
VLS575
Naval MLRS4
Marines5-700
LCAC2
-or-
Large MCM USV8

It also has one high-end BMD combat system on the CG and three SPY-1D(V)-equivalent combat systems on the FMG, FPD and CVL.  It has enough helicopters to handle the combined ASW/SUW mission set above, assuming external assets are available, or using its own F-35Bs.  

This ability to mix and match components with different capabilities allows commanders to tailor their task forces to meet the demands of the mission set.



Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

IAFM - Fleet Architecture (Battle Force 2045 Edition)

-
Image
Table of Contents Introduction Fleet Architecture Key Concepts Bimodal Presence and Maneuver Forces New Task Force Types Ship Types Aviation CV55 CVL-150 Subsurface Combatant SSK Large Combatants SC-150 FPD-150 FMG-150 Small Combatants LCK Logistics &Auxiliary This version of the IAFM is sized to correspond to the Navy's Battle Force 2045 and "355" fleet designs.  As such, it is more expensive than our existing fleet design, or the recent Hudson fleet design. The IAFM is broken down into categories of ships: Aviation, Subsurface Combatants, Large Combatants, Small Combatants, and Logistics & Auxiliaries.  Each section lists the steady-state count of each ship type, a notional "First In Class" cost, a discounted unit cost that applies a learn factor and build rate discount to generate an average cost, a service life of each ship in the class, and the resulting build rate.  I also include a notes column that describes roughly what each type of ship is.   A
Read more

IAFM - Ship Types - Frigate Platform Dock (FPD-150)

-
Image
Introduction The Frigate Platform Dock (FPD-150) is the most flexible ship in the IAFM.  It came about when I was mulling over how to provide enough escorts for SAGCOMs and CVCOMs, while still supporting forward deployed Marine forces.   The existing US Navy force model splits amphibious vessels (LPD, LSD, LHD/A) and escorts into distinct pools. However you still have to provide escorts for ESGs as well as CVBGs.  But if you look at a modern amphibious ship, like the LPD-17, the systems aboard aren't that far off from those on a frigate.  It has an air defense radar, short-range SAM systems and C4ISR.   So my thought was, why not smash together the capabilities of a guided-missile frigate and a modest-sized LPD and make a self-escorting "Frigate Platform Dock"?  This way, every ESG is always self-escorting.  Also, an ability to perform strike with VLS-based munitions, and Naval Surface Fire Support (NSFS) with Multiple Launched Rocket System (MLRS) and the gun mount.   Th
Read more

Pimp My SBCT Round 3 - The Amphibious Assault Brigade Combat Team (AABCT)

-
Image
The USMC is moving away from large-scale amphibious assaults towards smaller, battalion-and-below formations and EABO.  However, the US Military may still find itself in need of performing such an assault as part of a broader forcible-entry operation. What’s needed is a “relatively” inexpensive way to land a large, mobile, armored force in short order.   So how about give the large-scale amphibious assault mission to the Army?  Switch three IBCTs (roughly a division) over to an Amphibious Assault Brigade Combat Team (AABCT), an organization mirroring the SBCT, but replacing the ~300 Strykers with the USMC ACV. USMC ACV with 30mm Remote Turret SBCT Organization ( CBO ) SBCT Organization Pg 2 In this way, existing, land-based SBCT doctrine and training could remain the same.  The AABCT can be used in more or less the same ways and same situations as an SBCT.  ACVs are somewhat heavier and larger than Strykers so the logistics elements in the SBCT will need a bit of a bump. Outfitting the
Read more