[THREAD] Opinion on T31e armament.

T31e is intended to be a General Purpose frigate. For me that means bunker, space and accommodation for long solo journeys carrying specialist crews & kit. Translated: Hangar, boat bays and a container or two on a blue water (rough sea state) hull that can pull a littoral shift.

Armaments should be modest, suitable for defensive & supportive roles rather than high-end Prosecution such as those on aggressive Corvettes, ASW Frigate, AAW Destroyer or TLAM carrier. This reduces the sensors, systems, variety of storage/handling and crew required to operate.

With a renaissance in gun natures I feel that the gap between conventional missile performance and guns has narrowed and reached a parity in some instances. Three natures stand out:

- BAE Bofors 3P
- DARPA/Raytheon MAD-FIRES
- Leonardo Vulcano

BAE Bofors 3P is a 6-mode Programmable, Pre-fragmented and Proximity-fused (3P) ammunition for use against surface and aerial targets. Known as the Mk 295 in US service, it is also operated by Sweden and produced in large numbers.

BAE Bofors 57mm 3P Video.

The DARPA/Raytheon Multi-Azimuth Defense [sic] Fast Intercept Round Engagement System (MAD-FIRES) is a high Tech Readiness rocket hit-to-kill interceptor fired from a 57mm gun that is in development. It extends engagement range, engages more targets and reduces engagement cost.

DARPA/Raytheon MAD-FIRES interceptor.

DARPA/Raytheon MAD-FIRES video.

Leonardo's Vulcano is sub-calibre extended range precision ammunition that fires the same projectile from 127mm (5") and 155mm howitzers using different sabot designs. Range over traditional 127mm ammunition is dramatically increased and moving targets on land or sea can be hit.

Leonardo Vulcano video.

These natures have surprising ranges in their roles, covering local air defence, C-UAS, counter-FIAC, anti-ship and naval gun fire support By comparison:

20mm Phalanx 1B: 2nm
35mm Millenium: 2.5nm

57mm Bofors 3P: 8nm
57mm MAD-FIRES: 10nm+
127mm Vulcano: 60nm

The more exotic natures are fully compatible with Bofors 57mm Mk 110 and BAE Mk 45 guns and do not prevent conventional ammunition being fired. These systems are standard in US and Swedish service respectively, will be in Royal Navy service and the USN plans more 57mm purchases.

Opinion: With these and future natures in-service and in-development, the 127mm Mk 45 and 57mm Bofors make ideal armament, in numbers, for a General Purpose frigate and that they can reduce the number and complexity of weapon systems aboard without compromising defence.

For T31e, Arrowhead 140 provides a stable platform with turret locations. Guns with the above ammunition combined with CAMM would provide surprising levels of defensive & supportive fires.

1x 127mm Mk 45 (fore)
2x 57mm Bofors (fore and aft)
2x Phalanx 1B (aft)
24x CAMM (mid)

These systems allow defensive & supportive offensive fire in the 60nm, 10nm+ & 2nm close-in range bands. A such equipped vessel can engage stationary or moving targets on sea, land or in the air. Targets from small drones, FIAC, missiles, ships, vehicles or good old grid squares.

The rest of the vessel can then be dedicated to flexible equipment and crew as required at any given time without impact on its baseline defensive package. Helicopters, Boats, UUV, USV, ISO Containers, Crew.

And if we ever decide we want more than a General Purpose frigate, desiring "strike length" missile silos et al, the vessels modular design accommodates refit of two central boat bays with Mk 41 VLS, sensor mast and box launchers enough to satisfy a much fatter wallet...

Babcock / Team 31 Arrowhead 140 walkthrough video.

/FIN

UPDATE: BAE video covering the Vulcano ammunition for 127mm and 155mm naval guns.