[IPAndrews]

Modern warships are extremely efficient AA (guns and SAMs) and also cruise missile platforms themselves.. So i wouldnt say that its just an expensive target. I rather believe that ships like these are gradually making aircraft carriers obsolete as there is no point what so ever to send any bombers to that ships vicinity (under 100 km radius) unless you have plenty of bombers to spare.

Bombers approach ship. Drop a load of long range cruise missiles. Bombers turn away. SAMS and AA guns shoot down some missiles. One missile hits. Ship sinks. Job's a good 'un. Unless I'm very much mistaken. Maybe things really have changed since I last read Red Storm Rising.

[Sandwich]

The British Navy, however mighty, will not be complete until it contains the HMS Pinafore.

HMS Thunderchild FTW.

[Fineus]

Word!

[aldo_14]

Modern warships are extremely efficient AA (guns and SAMs) and also cruise missile platforms themselves.. So i wouldnt say that its just an expensive target. I rather believe that ships like these are gradually making aircraft carriers obsolete as there is no point what so ever to send any bombers to that ships vicinity (under 100 km radius) unless you have plenty of bombers to spare.

Bombers approach ship. Drop a load of long range cruise missiles. Bombers turn away. SAMS and AA guns shoot down some missiles. One missile hits. Ship sinks. Job's a good 'un. Unless I'm very much mistaken. Maybe things really have changed since I last read Red Storm Rising.

Isn't that the main purpose of all non-carrier ships nowadays, anyways?

[IPAndrews]

Isn't that the main purpose of all non-carrier ships nowadays, anyways?

I must be particularly dim today because I don't understand what you're getting at. Can you elaborate?

[aldo_14]

Isn't that the main purpose of all non-carrier ships nowadays, anyways?

I must be particularly dim today because I don't understand what you're getting at. Can you elaborate?

Well, when they sent the taskforce to the Falklands - basically the last 'proper' naval operation of the last 20 years by the RN (at least that I can think of) - the escorting destroyers, frigates, etc were organized to be arranged in concentric circles around the two lead aircraft carriers.  Partially to extend radar coverage, but also simply so that any attacking Argentine jets would target the outer destroyers (etc) ahead of the carriers in the centre.  Basically - for the reasons you said before - the primary asset of any naval force is the fighter coverage from an aircraft carrier, so really all the other ships are essentially meatshields to protect it.  And cruise missile platforms, but subs can also do that.

[BlackDove]

HMS Heathcliff for the win.

Doesn't get any more up the ass for the crew of the boat than that.

[NGTM-1R]

Duncan.

HMS Duncan, D-class destroyer leader in the Second World War, flagship of Escort Group B.7, which escorted convoy ONS.5 in what is probably the climatic action of the Battle of the Atlantic.

A good name.

Your readings of Red Storm Rising are correct...your conclusions flawed. The days of worrying about multiregiment Backfire raids are over; today all of Russian Naval Aviation would be hard-pressed to deal with a British battlegroup, much less an American one centered on an AEGIS ship.

Besides, it wasn't the power of plot that kept the Reuben James and Battleaxe alive. They made it on their own merits.