Piracy renaissance

[Scout26]

This Chilean fast attack boat looks very tempting. Has bow and stern guns. Seems to be about the right size. Good choice.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sa%27ar_4-class_missile_boat
Originally Isreali Navy, then sold to Chile.
Crew of 45.
Top speed 34 knots:
    2-4 x RGM-84 Harpoon SSM's
    and
    4 × Gabriel II SSM's
    OR
    6 × Gabriel II SSM's
    1 × 20 mm Phalanx CIWS
    and
    1 × OTO Melara 76 mm naval gun
    OR
    2 × OTO Melara 76 mm naval gun
    2 × Oerlikon 20 mm cannons


Here's the latest model:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sa%27ar_4.5-class_missile_boat

I'd want the 76mm guns simply for stand-off range and for the motherships.  The SSM's would also do a number on the motherships.

[T.O.M.]

That ship's all well and good, looks appropriately armed, and fast enough to get in and out pretty quick...

But there's no deck space for the grill.  Where will we put the Weber smoker for pulled pork night?  Where will the deck chairs go so the wenches can tan?   

[Scout26]

That ship's all well and good, looks appropriately armed, and fast enough to get in and out pretty quick...

But there's no deck space for the grill.  Where will we put the Weber smoker for pulled pork night?  Where will the deck chairs go so the wenches can tan?  

How about this one ??


That's the newer model.  Or order one a few feet longer, with a built-in grill and a smoker....

I like the CIWS up front and the missiles amidships. And I like the stern mounted 76mm gun.  I don't want to be on a two-way rifle range on the ocean with pirates...

[Jim147]

That's why I went with the Abe Lincoln plenty of room for the grill and bar and ranges.

[Hawkmoon]

That ship's all well and good, looks appropriately armed, and fast enough to get in and out pretty quick...

But there's no deck space for the grill.  Where will we put the Weber smoker for pulled pork night?  Where will the deck chairs go so the wenches can tan?   

That's why I really prefer a jeep carrier or amphibious assault ship. But they burn more fuel and need a larger crew.

Nothing is easy ...

[just Warren]

http://www.wio.ru/fleet/ww2armorb.htm

[MillCreek]

^^^Interesting concept, to mount a tank turret/gun on a boat.

[230RN]

Anybody got load data for grapeshot in a 16" turret?  I'm thinking all the surplus/used large ball bearings one can find should do a number on small pirate vessels.

...

It would screw up the rifling unless Homer Buckets were used as shot cups.  And you'd get a doughnut pattern, like in those handgun shot rounds.

You might get better results with the Japanese "Beehive" anti-aircraft rounds.  A bit of overkill, but could be a good psychological deterrent.

I'm not signing this one on general principles

[Hawkmoon]

Something like a frigate might fill the bill -- the helipad would make for a good sun deck for the wenches as well as a platform for the BBQ.

[Fly320s]

the helipad would make for a good sun deck for the wenches as well as a platform for the BBQ.
pad to land the gunship on.  Cobras are cheap enough.

[Hawkmoon]

I finally took the time to educate myself a bit about Navy ship designations. Until now, I wasn't aware that frigates are smaller than destroyers. Dunno if there are any left in the world that haven't been scrapped (all have been decommissioned from U.S. service) but an Oliver Hazard Perry-class frigate would be a nice platform for pirate hunting.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oliver_Hazard_Perry-class_frigate

I was also interested to discover that the Coast Guard's new national security cutter class of ships is basically the same as a Navy frigate.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Security_Cutter

[Ben]

I was also interested to discover that the Coast Guard's new national security cutter class of ships is basically the same as a Navy frigate.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Security_Cutter

That's what I'd be going for. We need to bribe dm1333 to snag the keys and make a run for it. 

[MillCreek]

Naval Station Everett used to have several Perry frigates homeported there.  A former neighbor of mine was the CO of one on the last deployment before it was decommissioned.  It was slated to be transferred to the Turkish Navy.  The forward SM-1 missile launcher and missiles had already been removed and sent to Australia for use as spares.

[230RN]

Quad fifties on every point and quarter-point of the compass.

I was thinking of a destroyer with hopped-up engines, but now I'm thinking frigate with hopped-up engines and quad .50s on the compass quarter-points.

On the other hand, I still like the Q-ship idea...

Decisions, decisions...  <sigh>

[dm1333]

That's what I'd be going for. We need to bribe dm1333 to snag the keys and make a run for it. 

As long as it is the USCGC James that we take I'm all in!  With the added bonus of knowing some people who have done anti piracy ops there.  Nothing like a little local knowledge.   

[Hawkmoon]

As long as it is the USCGC James that we take I'm all in!  With the added bonus of knowing some people who have done anti piracy ops there.  Nothing like a little local knowledge.   

How closely do those new cutters (like the James) compare with Navy frigates?

[dm1333]

How closely do those new cutters (like the James) compare with Navy frigates?

They don't really compare, as built.  Different missions.  But making the changes to make it suit the Navy's needs wouldn't be that hard either. 

Here is a good read about what it would take.

https://www.usni.org/magazines/proceedings/2014-04/its-time-sea-control-frigate

And for the record the NSC's are tearing it up when it comes to drug interdiction.  Who would have thought a modern ship with armed helicopters (who actually shoot at drug runners) would result in record numbers of drugs interdicted?   

[MillCreek]

^^^Now that was a very interesting read, about the sea control frigate.

[dm1333]

Except for the line about it being preposterous to paint a Coast Guard cutter gray and call it a warship.  But that is the kind of douchey statement you expect from an O-2.   

[Hawkmoon]

Except for the line about it being preposterous to paint a Coast Guard cutter gray and call it a warship.  But that is the kind of douchey statement you expect from an O-2.   

Especially a Navy O-2. The NSC class is virtually identical in size and displacement to the Oliver Hazard Perry class frigates, but is a much more modern design. Other articles I've read suggest that as a NSC it's about 85% to 90% of the way toward being fully Navy capable. In the past, there have been ships that went from being Navy to Coast Guard, and in some cases back to Navy (IIRC). Upgrading this design into a full-fledged frigate makes so much sense, there's no way the Pentagon will do it.

[Jamisjockey]

Oh yes...a  used patrol boat would be mo betta!

Offshore supply boats are fast a snot.  Used to see them in the gulf and on most days they could keep up with my boat, which probably is about the same speed as the boats the pirates use.

[Andiron]

Oh yes...a  used patrol boat would be mo betta!

Offshore supply boats are fast a snot.  Used to see them in the gulf and on most days they could keep up with my boat, which probably is about the same speed as the boats the pirates use.

Da red wunz go fasta!

[KD5NRH]

Offshore supply boats are fast a snot.  Used to see them in the gulf and on most days they could keep up with my boat, which probably is about the same speed as the boats the pirates use.

Boat doesn't have to keep up with them as long as the bullets do.

[Andiron]

No love for 40K ?   A pity.

[bedlamite]

That ship's all well and good, looks appropriately armed, and fast enough to get in and out pretty quick...

But there's no deck space for the grill.  Where will we put the Weber smoker for pulled pork night?  Where will the deck chairs go so the wenches can tan?   

It needs a poop deck.