U.S. Navy Revives Sea Control Ship Concept Amidst Modern Naval Challenges
Story by Joyce Sundy • 7h •
In a move reminiscent of strategies from the Cold War era, the U.S. Navy is revisiting the concept of Sea Control Ships (SCS) to enhance its capabilities in the face of evolving maritime threats. Originally conceived in the 1970s, the Sea Control Ship was designed to operate alongside larger aircraft carriers, providing vital air defense and anti-submarine warfare (ASW) capabilities, particularly in escorting convoys and supporting amphibious operations.
Despite never coming to fruition due to budget constraints and bureaucratic hurdles, the notion of a smaller, more versatile carrier has persisted over the years. The Spanish Navy notably acquired the SCS plans and developed their own light carrier, demonstrating the concept’s practicality.
Recent calls by the U.S. Marine Corps for a new class of smaller amphibious ships for operations in the Indo-Pacific region echo the enduring relevance of the SCS concept. These vessels, though smaller than the original SCS proposals, would fulfill similar roles, complementing the Navy’s larger supercarriers and amphibious assault ships.
According to Defense Media Network, the SCS would have been equipped with a complement of aircraft tailored to its dual mission of air defense and ASW. This air group would likely have included AV-8 Harrier-type Short Take-Off and Vertical Landing (STOVL) fighter-bombers and a variety of ASW and utility helicopters.
https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/us/u-s-navy-revives-sea-control-ship-concept-amidst-modern-naval-challenges/ar-BB1mXh8D?ocid=msedgdhp&pc=HCTS&cvid=db9e0b6c89914aa48e7335b456b0682f&ei=8
