X-posted from the drone/UCAV td.How attack drones launched from subs armed with torpedoes to attack surface ships,etc., are going to be fielded by the USN. The survivability of carriers in the age of hypersonic missiles and BMs is becoming an item of major debate. While not advocating doing away with CVs, the increasing importance of having a large capable sub fleet of both N-subs and AIP subs is crucial for the IN.As for carriers,larger numbers of smaller flat tops,even amphibs to support FW aircraft is essential to spread the risk,given that we have such a unique geographical footprint in the IOR,the great Indian landmass like a dagger in the centre of the IOR and flanked on either seaboard by island territories.If Lakshadweep receives the PRC Spratly islands treatment,increasing the landmass of the atolls by reclamation,etc.we could have the equiv. of the ANC in the Arabian Sea too.
Coming back to the issue of flat tops.Man,many moons ago,back in the last century,I postulated the idea ( I think first by anyone anywhere) that any capital ship of around 8,000+ t should have a flat top,missiles in VLS modules and a hangar deck to accommodate at that time Sea Harriers and heavy ASW helos like Sea Kings/Merlins,etc.
Imagine one of our Vizag class DDG hulls with a flat top and hangar deck.At least 12 to 16 F-35Bs and helos could be embarked on the vessel with missiles in VLS silos mostly on sponsons around the flight deck,also supported by the latest Palmash type BPDMS systems with SR SAMs of 20+km range.
Thailand's Chakri light CV of under 12K t,could carry a max. of about 20 Harriers and helos. Instead of building heavier and heavier capital ships,DDGs and CGs,smaller heavily armed corvettes like the RU classes of around 1,000t+ carrying Kalibir 2500km range LRCMs,Yakhont,etc.,are being built instead of the large and expensive Leader class of DDG.The IN could have a class of 6 to 8 min-CVs instead of DDGs when the Rajput class require replacement. 6 of these flyweight flat tops could collectively carry 100+ aircraft ,helos and attack drones! In addition,at least 50% of them would be available at all times for any crisis in the IOR. Imagine such vessels also armed with Hyper-BMos in flush deck silos and B-8 SAMs.IN,time to think outside the box!
https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/opin ... rd%20Brief
RMA in naval warfare.
The use of sub-launched attack drones ,tests just carried out by the USN is revolutionising sub and naval warfare.As the article says,
considering the threat from the PRC,
the navy cannot afford continued reliance on the delusion that its aircraft carriers are indestructible.If America is to win a naval war,submarines will be critical.