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The future of the Royal Australian Navy (RAN) Fleet Air Arm is crucial to the national policy of Australia and the security of the Southeast Asia and Indian Ocean areas. The tumultuous debate over how to provide tactical air power at sea after the retirement of the RAN’s aircraft carrier has continued for years. While naval leaders prefer to maintain a conventional carrier capability, the astronomical cost of a new conventional ship/aircraft package and the large commensurate manpower requirements have led to a recent deci- > sion to reequip with a new helicopter ; carrier which has the capability to op- ; erate V/STOL aircraft. This article will present an affordable alternative to the i V/STOL option through which the RAN could maintain an enhanced conven- ' tional capability with new aircraft i while delaying the acquisition of a new ship until a more favorable fiscal ; situation exists. .
The current Australian fleet re- j volves around HMAS Melbourne (CVS- I 21), a modified Majestic-c\ass carrier of ! British origin, whose keel was laid in
1943. The Melbourne is small by modern carrier standards: 20,000 tons. Her air group consists of A-4 Skyhawks for strike and fleet defense, S-2 Trackers for ASW and surveillance, H-3 Sea Kings for ASW, and Wessex search and rescue helicopters. Because of limited deck and hangar space and the complications of mid-deck elevators, total aircraft loadout is never more than 25. Though on a much smaller scale, air operations are surprisingly similar to those of U. S. carriers. Familiar features include an angled deck, mirror landing system, and landing signal officer and carrier naval air training and operating procedures standardization.
The Fleet Air Arm is shore-based at Naval Air Station Nowra, located near the Melbourne's home port of Sydney. Within this small, modern air station are found the entire assets of the Fleet Air Arm. When the ship is home, Nowra supports 10 of the original 20 Skyhawks purchased from the United States in 1967, 8 Macchi jet trainers, 19 Trackers, 6 Sea Kings, and about 30 other aircraft. Although the air craft are generally old and severe y mission limited by their numbers, the aircrew and support personnel are highly trained, dedicated profession3 s who maintain an operational carrier expertise found only in half a d°zen countries throughout the world. ^ The most pressing requirement
the Fleet Air Arm is a modern
the Skyhawk continues to fulfill role as a strike and fleet defense p form, it is now in critically numbers. Its suitability for this mission has always been in questl(? because of its limitations in the mg
and instrument conditions envir°n
been
While
multi-mission fighter aircraft
its
ilat-
ment. Thus, the decision has
aft
cle the J to than
130
Proceedings
March
made that any replacement aifcr will be equipped with a modern onics package including an all-'veat^|fj air-to-air capability. A major obsta in the replacement debate is that Melbourne is simply not designei handle anything larger or faster the A-4. Thus, any new convention^ fighter now available would require
"lilit;
tralia its
ates- In America, the financing of a aircraft carrier is difficult, but for stralia, a new carrier and aircraft age presents a significant eco- 0triic burden and much political con- Vefsy. It would also have a great mPact other Au;
ers
V/ST(
and acquire a new ship, be she for QL or otherwise.
new ship from which to operate.
^ Cost is a primary consideration in °f the deliberations concerning ttary procurement. Although Aus- is a very large country in area,
. Population is only 14 million, or ess than 7% that of the United
't; new All
Pack;
on the appropriations of the services. Presently, the Royal Jstralian Air Force (RAAF) has top ^ 0rity for a replacement aircraft for e Tactical Fighter Force (TFF) of alra§e HI fighters. The short list of to e^takie candidates has been reduced j F-16 and F-18, although a final ^O'sion will not be made until the 1981. Considering the cost of
■ e and other economic and polit- icaj f . r
Pal'aCt°rS’ wou^ aPPear that Aus- la *s not presently in a position to aneously replace its naval fight-
Th
l ne Australian Government has
lent-
tlj suPport to the U. S. presence in Indian Ocean. The offer of naval t^rt Utilities in Western Australia for task PUrpose of supporting a carrier Su Sroup has been presented. As- is 'n® t^1's eventuality is realized, it tj()reas°nable to suggest the integra- ^ n a ran squadron into a Western talia-based U. S. carrier air wing, air 6 ^eas‘b*lity of allied aircraft and I, Cfew operating from a U. S. deck Qas ^°n8 been recognized. In “The pjji ^0r a 'Can-Am’ Carrier” (January ^ Proceedings, pp. 109-111), Mr.
■ Maconochie proposes a joint
Canadian/U. S. operation in the North Atlantic with a U. S. carrier and Canadian CF-18S. As recently as 1978, tactical units from both the Melbourne and HMS Ark Royal (now decommissioned) flew to and from U. S. ships. Because of the similarity of operations and hardware, integration of a RAN squadron into a U. S. carrier air wing would not present insurmountable obstacles. On the contrary, with regard to the inherent friendliness that exists between the two countries, complications could be kept minimal and significant benefits for both countries would result.
By using the RAN strike/fighter force from a U. S. deck, the Melbourne would be free to complete her life as a dedicated ASW carrier with Trackers and Sea Kings as her primary complement. Optimistically, the Melbourne could be in service throughout the 1980s. Her value as an ASW platform would actually be enhanced by the departure of the Skyhawks, as more space would be available to operate ASW aircraft. This increased airborne ASW capability, coupled with on-line surface and subsurface support elements, would still represent a formidable strategic force, despite the loss of its limited strike option.
It is vitally important to the RAN and Australia that proficiency in carrier operations be maintained. Invaluable expertise in this field is current and the training program continues. Aircrew quality is particularly high as a result of a tough, thorough selection and training process. Present tactical limitations are hardware oriented and would be largely eliminated by adequate numbers of aircraft and sustained operations from a modern and fully equipped carrier.
By deploying part of the Fleet Air Arm on board a U. S. ship, Australia would be offering concrete support to the U. S. Indian Ocean policy. Additionally, Australia would benefit by having access to a ship large enough to accommodate its new-generation fighter. Thus, it could invest immediately in a new conventional fighter without having to provide an expensive new platform from which to operate.
The logical choice for the Skyhawk’s replacement is the F-18. When available for export, it will be fully developed and ready for operational deployment. Its capabilities exceed all RAN requirements, including all-weather air-to-air and air-to- ground weapon systems, state-of-the- art avionics, and standards of maneuverability, range, and payload. It offers a giant leap forward when compared to the Skyhawk, something which is not necessarily the case with a Harrier derivative. Should the RAAF decide on the F-18 for its TFF, an additional F-18 allocation to the RAN would increase the total Australian buy and realize economy of scale. Further savings would result by presenting the many advantages of commonality, some of which are simplified coordinated operations, combined pilot and maintenance personnel training, and a centralized supply system.
As the aircraft are acquired, development of a new ship could begin, perhaps Australian designed and built. Present carrier designs for ships large enough to be F-18 capable call for a manning complement prohibitive to the total RAN personnel strength of only 17,000. However, a new design in the 35,000- to 40,000-ton range incorporating modern automation
131
6edings / March 1981
could be manned by as few as 1,300, the present complement of the Melbourne. Upon completion, the new ship could assume the Melbourne's flagship duties and receive her operational fighter squadron from the Western Australia carrier air wing.
The spirit of cooperation between the U. S. Navy and the RAN has strengthened over the years and is demonstrated regularly in joint operational exercises. An integrated operational carrier air wing would provide the opportunity to further the exchange of tactical philosophies while providing strategic value to both countries. Whatever decision finally determines the future of the Fleet Air Arm, it is critical that it be made soon, while assets are still adequate to
accommodate the transition period.
A 1974 Naval Academy graduate, Lieutenan Stumpf completed the A-7E Fleet Replacemen Training whereupon he joined VA-105, semnF in a variety of billets while completing Mediterranean deployments. He is current!) 0 exchange duty with the RAN, flying a craft from NAS Nowra, New South Wales, an HMAS Melbourne.
Britain Builds New Castles-----------------------
By Sub Lieutenant J. V. P. Goldrick, Royal Australian Navy
ificen'
the
the
advantage of being far closer to warship type than the “Islands” W1 ^ out surrendering any abilities ,rl offshore fishery protection role- ln ^ emergency, it is possible that
with1” cot'
very
Presently under construction, in the Aberdeen yard of Hall Russell Ltd., are the first two of the Mk-II offshore patrol vessels (OPVs). Designed as improvements upon, and successors to the seven “lsland”-class OPVs Mk-I, the two Mk-Ils were purchased by the Royal Navy in August 1980. They are, according to unofficial reports, to be named Leeds Castle and Dumbarton Castle respectively. The contract was, in fact, signed only hours before a three-month embargo on new purchases was announced by the British Government as an economy measure.
The “Castle” class was begun as a private venture by Hall Russell to a Ministry of Defence design, which resulted from the recognition of various limitations of the otherwise very successful “Island” class. The basic characteristics of the two designs are presented in Table 1.
The criticisms of the “Islands” are in four major areas. First, the ships are too small for ocean swells, and in rough weather in the Northern Atlantic, can become very uncomfortable for their crews. Second, the “Islands” have no provision to carry a helicopter. The "Castles” carry a large flight deck fully capable of landing a large helicopter in a seaway. With refueling facilities installed, this will enable the Mk-IIs to act as staging platforms for helicopters, giving them a vastly increased effectiveness in the fishery protection role. Fishermen operating illegally consider the helicopter to be a most formidable and unnerving opponent.
Third, the "Islands” have occasionally been faced with inordinately long stern chases—constrained by their maximum of 16.5 knots. The “Castles,” however, have the extra 4 knots which save both time and fuel, and allow them to approach modern fishing vessels in all types of weather. The fourth criticism concerns the lack of main armament. This weakness will not be overcome, however, as the
“Castles” will likely be commissione with a Bofors 40-mm. gun as thelS main armament. Despite their arma ment configuration—the 76-mm- t0
Melara would be a magni addition—the two new ships have “Castles” could be reequipped, a short time, as antisubmarine vettes. In this case, they would aln^ ^ certainly have a hangar fitted an ship-borne helicopter detachment a cated. Nevertheless, it must be ^ membered that the essential qua*lCJ j$ the “Islands,” and the "Castles, ^ that Hall Russell has produced s *P for fishery protection duties at a low cost.
The “Castles” should be most i some ships. Their underwater f°rrn ^ similar to the style of the “Type" eS and Leander-class frigates and indlC ^ that the new vessels will be kindly and comfortable. Notable tures are the long and dry forecaS ^ and a large enclosed bridge for sUPe . all-round visibility. The enorm0^ improvement in vision aft has been troduced to enable the captain an ficer of the watch to view helic°P^_ operations aft, but it possesses the ond merit of making maneuvering^ close quarters with fishing vessels^ much safer. The “Castles” will a ^ their funnel and mast combined int single “MAC,” which will also carry enclosed conning position. jjj
Much of the ships’ equipment
132
Proceedings / March