Navy_Blue said:
Hold on here you can't be suggesting stuff like this...We still need to catch up to the 1990's. These fandangled 21'st century do-dads are just unproven tub toys. I still say we are missing something by not using the paddle wheel. :warstory:
Actually Multi-Hull are proven in a couple of areas.
1. They are horrible in any sort of sea state, I was in company with Triton in a cyclone and it looked anything but comfortable/safe, we were freaked just looking at them, I'm quite sure the guys onboard her were saying prayers. Honestly there were moments were we thought she was going to go tits-up.
2. They are absolute fuel guzzlers. Range is tiny, and for most Western nations that makes them totally impracticle.
3. Yes they are fast, too fast. If you escorts can't keep up to defend you then you are limited to benign environments. Australia was lucky East Timor is so close, we were able to provide coverage for HMAS Jervis Bay for its run from Darwin to Dili, buy stretching our resources and palming her off between units. Had the journey been longer, JB would have been usless in that high threat environment.
And if you notice, despite having used her in a warzone, the technology being relatively cheap, and us being world leaders in the multi-hull field, Australia did not opt to keep JB around longer or look to replace her with something similar.
You see Multi-Hull are proven, just not in the positive. Not yet anyway, not for Blue Water navies with global interests.
Just my 2c
HMAS Jervis Bay Doing one of her Timor trips.