RN Frigates: Type 31 Inspiration Class

[ivorthediver]

ok Harry I have asked the question ref Seahawk

[Pelican]

But what should we read into the passage (bolded by me), taken from an article in The Engineer By Stuart Nathan 12th September 2019 12:53 pm :-
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The crew complement will be 100 to 160 sailors, and each ship will be able to accommodate an AW–10 Merlin or MH-60 Seahawk helicopter in an on-board hanger which will also be able to house light aircraft and UAVs.
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Where does an MH-60 Seahawk helicopter feature in the scheme of things when we have Merlins and Wildcats?

Can only offer:
"The Sikorsky SH-60/MH-60 Seahawk is a twin turboshaft engine, multi-mission United States Navy helicopter based on the United States Army UH-60 Black Hawk and a member of the Sikorsky S-70 family. The most significant modifications are the folding main rotor and a hinged tail to reduce its footprint aboard ships" - Making it suitable for 'small' ships and having 'firepower.'
Also see - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M2fG33GlkGg - which if not staged makes it a bit long in the tooth anyway?

[Little h]

ok Harry I have asked the question ref Seahawk

To whom have you asked the Q - Ivor?

[Little h]

But what should we read into the passage (bolded by me), taken from an article in The Engineer By Stuart Nathan 12th September 2019 12:53 pm :-
---------------------------------
The crew complement will be 100 to 160 sailors, and each ship will be able to accommodate an AW–10 Merlin or MH-60 Seahawk helicopter in an on-board hanger which will also be able to house light aircraft and UAVs.
---------------------------------
Where does an MH-60 Seahawk helicopter feature in the scheme of things when we have Merlins and Wildcats?

Can only offer:
"The Sikorsky SH-60/MH-60 Seahawk is a twin turboshaft engine, multi-mission United States Navy helicopter based on the United States Army UH-60 Black Hawk and a member of the Sikorsky S-70 family. The most significant modifications are the folding main rotor and a hinged tail to reduce its footprint aboard ships" - Making it suitable for 'small' ships and having 'firepower.'
Also see - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M2fG33GlkGg - which if not staged makes it a bit long in the tooth anyway?

Thanks for response David. I had already aquainted myself with some details about the Seahawk ... but ... my Q is deeper than the performance and purpose of this helicopter; more - why does a Type 31 require the ability to accommodate one as opposed to another pre-existing RN type.

[Pelican]

I will be the first to admit that I am not fully up to date but the Merlins appear to be mainly to transport the Marines + similar transport duties and sub hunting whereas these MH choppers certainly have 'fire power.'

[Little h]

I will be the first to admit that I am not fully up to date but the Merlins appear to be mainly to transport the Marines + similar transport duties and sub hunting whereas these MH choppers certainly have 'fire power.'

and the RN's Wildcat? or should that be the RN Wildcats?

[ivorthediver]

ok Harry I have asked the question ref Seahawk

To whom have you asked the Q - Ivor?

The Engineer website but of course

[Pelican]

I will be the first to admit that I am not fully up to date but the Merlins appear to be mainly to transport the Marines + similar transport duties and sub hunting whereas these MH choppers certainly have 'fire power.'

and the RN's Wildcat? or should that be the RN Wildcats?

Ah yes there was one buzzing around PoW yesterday during her entry to Pompey.
For info her details - https://www.royalnavy.mod.uk/the-equipm ... rs/wildcat

[Blackbat242]

But what should we read into the passage (bolded by me), taken from an article in The Engineer By Stuart Nathan 12th September 2019 12:53 pm :-
---------------------------------
The crew complement will be 100 to 160 sailors, and each ship will be able to accommodate an AW–10 Merlin or MH-60 Seahawk helicopter in an on-board hanger which will also be able to house light aircraft and UAVs.
---------------------------------
Where does an MH-60 Seahawk helicopter feature in the scheme of things when we have Merlins and Wildcats?

My Q is deeper than the performance and purpose of this helicopter; more - why does a Type 31 require the ability to accommodate one as opposed to another pre-existing RN type.

I believe that the statement was intended to show the upper range of what the T31's flight deck & hangar could support, not to be an exhaustive list of the only manned helos it could support - nor to indicate anything about planned future helo fleets.

After all - wouldn't it be prudent to make sure your ships could operate the most-numerous shipboard helos of your biggest ally (who just happens to operate the world's biggest fleet) ?

[Little h]

But what should we read into the passage (bolded by me), taken from an article in The Engineer By Stuart Nathan 12th September 2019 12:53 pm :-
---------------------------------
The crew complement will be 100 to 160 sailors, and each ship will be able to accommodate an AW–10 Merlin or MH-60 Seahawk helicopter in an on-board hanger which will also be able to house light aircraft and UAVs.
---------------------------------
Where does an MH-60 Seahawk helicopter feature in the scheme of things when we have Merlins and Wildcats?

My Q is deeper than the performance and purpose of this helicopter; more - why does a Type 31 require the ability to accommodate one as opposed to another pre-existing RN type.

I believe that the statement was intended to show the upper range of what the T31's flight deck & hangar could support, not to be an exhaustive list of the only manned helos it could support - nor to indicate anything about planned future helo fleets.

After all - wouldn't it be prudent to make sure your ships could operate the most-numerous shipboard helos of your biggest ally (who just happens to operate the world's biggest fleet) ?

An interesting take on the subject Jon!

Re. I believe that the statement was intended to show the upper range of what the T31's flight deck & hangar could support
- Surely if the flight deck can operate the Merlin (& variants) and the hangar can accommodate the Merlin (& variants) then an MH-60 Skyhawk should not present a problem for the 'proposed' Type 31.

Re. nor to indicate anything about planned future helo fleets.
- I would hope not; especially after the extensive refurb/rework programme on RN & RAF Merlins to provide the RN with their ASW and Junglie portfolio

Re. After all - wouldn't it be prudent to make sure your ships could operate the most-numerous shipboard helos of your biggest ally (who just happens to operate the world's biggest fleet) ?
- Undeniably the correct approach for any ally. However, I think the RN do display a considerable willingness to operate as many different helo types as possible on board the 'relatively small number of ships' in our modern, albeit diminutive navy