What did the Royal Navy learn from The Falklands?

Question

When the british ships were hit (by french weapons, from french planes...), many of the casualties were down to burns. This can be attributed to cost cutting - cheaper fire proofing and the battle dress uniforms meant severe burns. In addition, thatcher wanted to sell the carriers, they learnt we needed them.

additional info and anything else?

Thanks,

Chris

Answer 1

yes

Answer 2

Yes, they needed dedicated, secure satellite communications systems; a quick reacting anti-cruise missile defense system (e.g. Phoenix); better EW, and better strategic recce assets.

Answer 3

One of the biggest lessons learned was the use of aluminium aboard RN ships.  At the time of the Falklands conflict, most interior ladders (stairs) were constructed of aluminium.  The aluminium had a relatively low flash point and caught fire more readily than steel.  The RN has, I believe ceased or at least minimized the use of aluminium aboard her ships and ladders are now constructed of steel.  

Answer 4

The British learned their bath tub navy was better than Argentina's paper plane air force.

Answer 5

I think they also learnt that you should never under estimate your enemy, and that they were very lucky to get away with what damage and casualties they did, if i remember rightly some of our ships were peppered with unexploded bombs and if the bombs had been set right then goodness knows what may have happened.. also they learnt that having a nuclear attack sub nearby was vital as it saved them being pounded by the big Argentine warship the belgrano !!..

Answer 6

Well, we certainly found there was a big snag with satellite communications... when using them meant you had to turn off your primary fire control radar. Which is how the Shiny Sheff got hit. They're a h**l of a lot better these days.

The other lesson gained from that incident was the obvious need for 'close in' weapons systems. Hence Royal Navy destroyers and carriers now have either Phalanx or Goalkeeper systems on board, Goalkeeper being the better of the two systems, as it can simultaneously target up to three incoming missiles where the Phalanx needs to acquire, destroy, acquire. Both throw up a tight screen of bullets which will destroy any missile, no matter how small. I've seen the evidence of this from test firings. The smallest air launched ones have at least five holes in them. Enough to seriously impede progress.

There was also an improvement in damage control training as a direct result of painfully learned lessons, and all action working dress is now fireproof at least insofar as an explosive flash is concerned. It won't save you if you're in a burning room, but it might give you just enough time to get your singed carcass out through an escape hatch.

I also reckon the Army learned a valuable lesson, when the Welsh Guards didn't disembark when advised and found themselves still aboard the RFA Sir Galahad when it was hit. The lesson should always be that a big grey ship makes a big grey target. And an RFA has no offensive capabilities. Silly place to stay.

Answer 7

That they should have include more carrier basedassets in the operation. They also learned the value of a STOVL aricraft (the Harrier) in ACM (air Combat manuevering ) aka the dogfight

Answer 8

When the anti missile missiles on board the ships were unusable or negated there was no effective final last ditch stand to make against incoming anti ship missiles. The only option was a pretty futile effort of soldiers firing at incoming missiles with their self loading rifles.

As a result naval ships are now equipped with high rate of fire gatling guns as a further last means of defence against an incoming missile and aircraft for that matter.

http://www.royal-navy.mod.uk/server/show...

http://www.royal-navy.mod.uk/server/show...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nY6nm-6eC...

Answer 9

That they were useless, long live the RAF!

Answer 10

Cut down on the use of aluminium in ships.

Answer 11

that despite all that they still (with the other armed forces) could kick the living **** out of the argentinians

Answer 12

They learned just how effective anti ship cruise missiles (ASCM), can be.  Also learned were important lessons in the use of chaff, and other decoys as a countermeasure against those missiles.