News, Articles and Comment

BRE. The latest book review is now available. It considers a book examining the development of airborne intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance, in particular with regard to the maritime domain and anti-submarine warfare, and the role of submarines in Soviet/Russian naval strategy and operations.

Ed. The author, previously published in the NR [113/3, pg. 424] and now with a new book out on the subject, employs his extensive knowledge of Allied mediterranean submarine operations to tell the story of HMS Seraph, a symbol of Allied resolve, which played a critical role in the TORCH landings. A 15 minute read.

Ed. With the Royal Navy declaredly pushing towards a ‘Hybrid’ fleet utilising several classes of complex ‘ship-like’ uncrewed vessels, the author, Associate Professor of International Security and Strategy at the University of Exeter, identifies key limitations of such autonomous naval systems and proposes that a lean-crewed model may instead offer distinctive advantages. A 25 minute read.

Ed. Does the RNZN have its sights set on the right future frigate class? The author believes the answer requires asking difficult questions about force structure and doctrine rather than purely technical specifications. A 25 minute read.

BRE. The latest book review is now available. It considers a short book which examines the history of the design, development and service lives of the Imperial Japanese Navy’s Nagato-class battleships.

Ed. This article aims to identify the issues the Royal Navy will need to anticipate if it is required to rapidly generate thousands of additional trained personnel during a major crisis. The author argues that planning, skills-based recruitment, modular training and scalable infrastructure must be established before conflict begins. A 25 minute read.

BRE. The latest book review is now available. It considers a book providing an account of the British Pacific Fleet’s contribution to Operation ICEBERG – the battle for Okinawa, in the Second World War.

Ed. Our correspondent points to excessive regulation of the nuclear submarine force as a contributor to operational limitations.

Ed. With the precedent of HMS Ocean in mind, the author argues that the RN’s future Amphibious Transport Ships (ATS) should be through-deck and built to a mixed standard. A 30 minute read.