Article

2006-02-26 Syria-Lebanon-Iran

Archived material is restricted to Rantburg regulars and members. If you need access email fred.pruitt=at=gmail.com with your nick to be added to the members list. There is no charge to join Rantburg as a member.

Posted by ed 2006-02-26 10:26|| || Front Page|| [7 views since 2007-05-07] Top

#1 There's just no way we can defeat the fearsome Farsi Flotilla, unless we send in ummm..... a dreaded Oliver Hazard Perry Class frigate. Any still in Commission?

Posted by 6 2006-02-26 11:43|| 2006-02-26 11:43|| Front Page Top

#2 But they've got SWIFT boats, and we know how much damage they and their commanders can do to America.

Posted by Nimble Spemble 2006-02-26 11:46|| 2006-02-26 11:46|| Front Page Top

#3 Deal with them using helicopter gunships, same as the last time.

Posted by Pappy 2006-02-26 11:54|| 2006-02-26 11:54|| Front Page Top

#4 A destroyer escort won't be able to take out 200 high speed boats without having their Aegis radars shredded by RPGs, HMGs and cannon. Then they become vulnerable to antiship missiles. The helicopters will run out of ammo before they could destroy but a small fraction. Hope the ship's decks are lined are lined with HMGs like the WWII destroyers against Kamikazies.

Posted by ed 2006-02-26 12:05|| 2006-02-26 12:05|| Front Page Top

#5 OHP doesn't have a phased array radar.... doesn't have much at all. 3 inch gun, CIWS and a pair of helicopters a few 20 mm tacked on usually. I doubt they could explain using a Harpoon against a $20,000 target. Still, I figure 3 cannon could likely kill 60 boats before running out of ammunition, the 20mm another 5, don't know about the helicopters. Might be able to run over a few too.

Posted by 6 2006-02-26 15:18|| 2006-02-26 15:18|| Front Page Top

#6 Heh. My money is still on the USN.

Posted by Mark E. 2006-02-26 19:19|| 2006-02-26 19:19|| Front Page Top

#7 A destroyer escort won't be able to take out 200 high speed boats without having their Aegis radars shredded by RPGs, HMGs and cannon. Then they become vulnerable to antiship missiles.

1. We're talking warships, not VLCCs.

2. That implies the Iranian boats will get close enough to do damage. The objective is to deal with them from a distance.

The helicopters will run out of ammo before they could destroy but a small fraction.

Don't discount the helicopter's effectiveness, especially at night and with radar support.

Hope the ship's decks are lined are lined with HMGs like the WWII destroyers against Kamikazies.

.50 cals and Mk23 grenade launchers were standard armament on the ships I was on in the Gulf. Also the Mark 6 Mod 1 Bushmaster II. Although using ship's power, mounting is relatively simple.

Posted by Pappy 2006-02-26 21:28|| 2006-02-26 21:28|| Front Page Top

#8 CIWS

Just a thought

Posted by Chuque Whaiper2223 2006-02-26 22:17|| 2006-02-26 22:17|| Front Page Top

#9 And what would a frigate going full speed do to a small flotilla of whale boats? PT-109 comes to mind.

Ramming Speed!

Posted by Angitch Thuth8830 2006-02-26 22:59|| 2006-02-26 22:59|| Front Page Top

#10 Now listen to me, all of you. You are all condemned men. We keep you alive to serve this ship. So row well, and live.

Posted by Quintus Arrius 2006-02-26 23:02|| 2006-02-26 23:02|| Front Page Top

#11 Folks, the A-10 is carrier-capable. It's not designed for it, it's pilots aren't trained to operate from a carrier, but it CAN do it - and has. I'd like to see any of these "small craft" stand up to one pass by an A-10.

In addition, the Marines aboard LHAs have Cobra helicopters and AV-8B Harriers. These can also operate off of regular carriers, and in a pinch, even off the helipads of Arleigh Burke DDGs.

Then there's always the old fall-back: catch them in port with a ton of iron bombs. I don't think Iran's "guerilla fleet" is a serious, long-term threat. It's a one-time shot, followed by a long list of "next of kin" messages to Iranian mommas.

Posted by Old Patriot">Old Patriot 2006-02-26 23:37|| http://oldpatriot.blogspot.com/]">[http://oldpatriot.blogspot.com/] 2006-02-26 23:37|| Front Page Top

10:32 Vinkat Bala Subrumanian
09:14 Elmiting Gluger1772
23:53 11A5S
23:45 Chomoling Slavigum6553
23:43 .com
23:43 Sherry
23:41 Sherry
23:39 Sherry
23:37 Old Patriot
23:30 .com
23:29 Anonymoose
23:27 Sherry
23:21 .com
23:08 trailing wife
23:02 Vinkat Bala Subrumanian
23:02 Quintus Arrius
22:59 Angitch Thuth8830
22:41 Frank G
22:31 Redneck Jim
22:28 Fred
22:17 Chuque Whaiper2223
22:15 Old Patriot
21:56 DMFD
21:53 Chuque Whaiper2223