[sukhoi-30mki]

2003 Artist’s concept of the San Antonio Class amphibious transport dock ships firing a missile from a vertical launch system in the ship’s bow. US Navy Image

[WENDLE]

Why do we announce this? I can’t think of a single reason if it isn’t just a bluff. “Loose lips sink ships” has been given a new definition here.

[Vendome]

Wow.

Those ships have an extraordinary amount of capabilities...

[doorgunner69]

If they can find the money do it, not a bad idea. The Russians decided decades ago that missiles were the way to go with naval warfare and armed everything with them.

As airspace control becomes less of a sure thing with shorter range and less capable aircraft, missiles will be an excellent backup.

[PAR35]

Scrambling to fill in the gaps left by the failure of the LCS “frigate” program.

[buwaya]

If the purpose is firepower support to landing Marines, it just doesn’t seem like there is much volume of fire here.
Sure, they can fill these with Tomahawks as stated - thats 16 shots each with a 1000-pound class warhead.
Thats maybe like four F-18 sorties worth of fire (using JDAM), and far more expensive.

[Dundee]

Australia's LHD’s have space and weight reserved for an 8 cell vls. No immediate plans to fit it but it is certainly doable. The LHD’s have the same combat system as the ANZAC class frigates and could be easily fitted with a CEA-FAR, CEA-MOUNT radar. Added bonus would be the radar height would be over twice an ANZAC giving it a longer radar horizon.

[rmlew]

I was under the impression that the AN/SPS-48E 3-D radar system already had the capability to guide RAM and ESSM missiles.

Looking at the ship, there is also space for 2 more RAM launches or CIWS mounts.

[MadMax, the Grinning Reaper]

About 14 years too late to confront Putin, Red China, Iran, or even ISI.