wcsswag@ccs.carleton.ca (Alex Klaus) (05/09/91)
From: wcsswag@ccs.carleton.ca (Alex Klaus) I came across an arictle saying thet USS Hayler, was orginally designed to be capable of VTOL operations. But this was not implmented. My question,is what would have been addded? Would AV-8B or would larger helicopters, I.e. bigger than LAMPS III been used? Also, what was the cause of changing back to a standard Spruance design? Thanks Alex Klaus <wcsswag@ccs.carleton.ca>
swilliam@oasys.dt.navy.mil (Steve Williams) (05/09/91)
From: swilliam@oasys.dt.navy.mil (Steve Williams) >I came across an arictle saying thet USS Hayler, was orginally designed >to be capable of VTOL operations. But this was not implmented. DD 997 (of the SPRUANCE class) was added by Congress in FY 1978 as an air-capable ship, carrying four helicopters. When the price became too high she was completed as the thirty-first ship of the SPRUANCE class. >My question,is what would have been addded? Just four helicopters. Probably also the ship-based support facility (i.e., hanger space, maintenance personnel & tools, spare parts, etc.) for these helicopters. >Would AV-8B or would larger helicopters, I.e. bigger than LAMPS III >been used? Perhaps. >Also, what was the cause of changing back to a standard Spruance design? High costs. Source: Jane's Fighting Ships 1990-91 Steve Williams
swilliam@oasys.dt.navy.mil (Steve Williams) (05/10/91)
From: swilliam@oasys.dt.navy.mil (Steve Williams) Additional information from an earlier Jane's Fighting Ships edition: >>I came across an arictle saying thet USS Hayler, was orginally designed >>to be capable of VTOL operations. But this was not implmented. >>My question,is what would have been addded? DD 997 was added to the Navy's FY 1978 program by Congress and was not Navy initiated. Known as an "air capable" "Spruance," she was to have an enlarged hanger and flight deck and be able to accommodate up to four LAMPS III ASW helicopters. Originally two of this class were added by the US Senate. The House of Representatives failed to approve the funds for any of this variant. During the House-Senate Conference about the FY 1978 Military Budget, agreement was reached to provide $310 million for one ship. This sum was authorized with the proviso that no more than this should be spent on this ship. When bids were solicited from shipbuilders should they be over the $310 million, weapons, electronics and other equipment would have to be deleted to bring the cost under the limit. Since then the cost of constructing this ship has escalated beyond the $310 million limit imposed by Congress. As a result, to cut costs, the "air capable" portions of the design have been reduced and the ship has been constructed as a thirty-first "Spruance" class DD -- ordered 27 September 1979. >>Would AV-8B or would larger helicopters, I.e. bigger than LAMPS III >>been used? Apparently not. >>Also, what was the cause of changing back to a standard Spruance design? The cost exceeding the $310 million limit set by the Congress. Source: Jane's Fighting Ships 1985-86 Steve Williams