... the enhanced air-defence of the 76mm guns on the Horizons? I mean the OTO-Melara 'smart' rounds such as the Davide which it seems is pretty much a dead cert though still labelled as "under development" by OTO-M on their site:
It sounds a very impressive system to me, must be much cheaper than RAM or Mistral units.
It pretty much looks like a capable system. But then again in new vessels you also risk of just adding too many CIWS systems. You'd then have to controll a lot of different anti#weapon types. However, it would be a nice upgrade for older vessels with Oto guns.
Did I understand I correct that every single projectile fired will be controlled by onboard sensors on it's flight path. Anyhow, I'm just somewhat critical of using that kind of guns in that role ...
I'd like to see the Oerlikon AHEAD concept installed in an onboard CIWS. Firing a mix of AP and AHEAD rounds.
The other option is to have a 48 cell A50 Sylver launcher + 16 or 32 cell A43 launcher. That way, you can get a decent amount of Aster 15s and you can just use the A50 VLS and use the second VLS just for Aster 15. I'm guessing A43 should be compact than A50.
That would be a good option for now. I remember to have read an article on that stating the A50 launcher is longer, but it didn't say something about width. I would exspact though that the A43 is narrower.
It the long run I think they should try a unified VLS that can hold one -30 and multiple -15.
Taken from the chinese carrier thread, but I thought it fits much more in here:
But we do have the Ticos and their service life is 30-35 years, which is 5-10 years away for the oldest Ticos still in service. At that point, a vessel like this, of course built in the states, would be an excellent replacement.
Like the Ticos, they [KDX-III] are more powerful than the Burkes and would benefit from all the latest technology.
The CGX would be the best solution...but it seems to be languishing.
From what I get the CG(X) is to emerge from the DDG-1000. However these are still in the planning stage. There was no first steel cut yet ...,or was there? With the soon to start replacements of the Ticos, time is running thin.
Of course they could be upgraded, but I exspect that to be really expensive. Would it even be worth the expense?
And then, I think currently there's a number of only eight Zumwalts projected, due to the heigh costs. Far from enough to replace anything.
If the CG(X) will become similary expensive, it won't be able to replace Ticos, IMO.
So, an americanized KDX-III seems a good idea to me. The 28cell domestic launcher replaced by another Mk41 and goalkeeper with Phalanx or another RAM. If the US is willing to import outside projects. But I would exspect they offered some help on the KDX-III already.
If the SKs really put six of them into service finally, they will definitly be able to controll their seas and skys above them, and even take that control of space rather far out.
