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Subject: CARRIER FORCE 2005 - HMAS Melbourne in the modern era
DropBear    9/24/2005 9:26:57 PM
Another world famous DB hypothetical: We have HMAS Melbourne (the carrier) in service in 2005. Her hull and mechanicals are as new as a modern refurb. The A-4 Scooters are capable of two Asraam plus Mavericks and LGB's. Seahawk/SeaSprites have replaced the SeaKing in all helo roles. The S-2 Grey Grumblies are modernised (turboprops) and have an ELINT role with a limited AWACS L-Band tophat configuration. The escort/plane guard role is split between existing FFG/Anzac fleets. HMAS Melbourne has similar dimmensions/limitations as before with only modernised machinery and weapons/radar fit. Defences consist of RIM-116 RAM and Phalanx CIWS. The boat has an AEGIS system installed with future mods to look into SM-3 etc. Budget and crewing aside... What could a boat with these capabilities bring to the modern Oz Navy and Australia?
 
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EW3    RE: CARRIER FORCE 2005 - HMAS Melbourne in the modern era   9/24/2005 10:20:00 PM
Would add a lot, but that seems too obvious an answer.
 
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DropBear    RE: CARRIER FORCE 2005 - HMAS Melbourne in the modern era   9/24/2005 10:49:56 PM
Could Asraam firing Scooters with a floating gas pad be enough to keep a dozen non-BVR Indonesian F-16's in check?
 
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gf0012-aust    RE: CARRIER FORCE 2005 - HMAS Melbourne in the modern era   9/24/2005 11:15:36 PM
Add a quad tomahwk launcher and a VLS "all up" slab and it's even better..
 
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DropBear    RE: CARRIER FORCE 2005 - HMAS Melbourne in the modern era   9/24/2005 11:18:51 PM
But is it do-able? Considering we are buying two large amphibs, could a Melbourne contribute in its own way in the current era?
 
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EW3    RE: CARRIER FORCE 2005 - HMAS Melbourne in the modern era DB   9/24/2005 11:29:51 PM
You are confounding the question. I mean you are keeping A-4s, yet are worried about the cost with 2 amphibs. Assume an updated Melbourne with SeaSparrows and CIWS and Harriers. At least that is the way I'd look at it. See what I mean?
 
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DropBear    RE: CARRIER FORCE 2005 - HMAS Melbourne in the modern era DB   9/24/2005 11:38:53 PM
Nope! Not confounding anything. I was making an example of how we can afford two amphibs in this day and age, so could we have afforded Melby. No past, current corporate knowledge of Harrier ops in RAN/RAAF/RNZAF so I'm sticking with Scooters if you don't mind. Now, what benefit (if any) would a modernised Melbourne have, say, on the Afghanistan theatre of ops. How about anti-piracy ops in the Straits between Malaysia and Indon etc? How useful would a Scooter armed with Asraams be? See Skipper, DB still has his marbles. ;)
 
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EW3    RE: CARRIER FORCE 2005 - HMAS Melbourne in the modern era DB   9/24/2005 11:45:27 PM
I leave to you aussies to help DB get his marbles in one place. My impression is that it is an apples and kiwi argument. But then again I don't speak Australian.
 
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DropBear    RE: CARRIER FORCE 2005 - HMAS Melbourne in the modern era DB   9/24/2005 11:51:51 PM
Huh??? Listen Skipper, you are either with us or against us, but there is no middle ground. Now, would you like Oz to contribute a 24,000 odd tonne carrier armed with Scooters, Grumblies, SeaHawks etc with your USN CBG's in coalition forces or not? The choice is yours. We start bombing in three minutes.
 
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EW3    RE: CARRIER FORCE 2005 - HMAS Melbourne in the modern era DB   9/24/2005 11:57:19 PM
I surrender! But would prefer Oz to load up with 3 90Kton carriers. Or as my instincts say, just get 4 more Collins. Better bang for the buck.
 
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DropBear    RE: CARRIER FORCE 2005 - HMAS Melbourne in the modern era DB   9/24/2005 11:59:44 PM
Ah yes. Our $300bn annual defence budget. Seriously, Are you getting wet with anticipation over the thought of crazy Ozniks driving rings around your USN bumpkin F-18's with our Asraam firing Scooters? ;) Tally ho!!! P.S. four more Collins? How about my sqn of Bones'?
 
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