Designing a River-class OPV successor

What does the panel think of Brother Monroe's proposed successor to the Royal Navy's River-class offshore patrol vessels?

A River-based gunboat with aviation space and modest defensive guns is suggested, while a detailed judgment on Brother Monroe's particular design is deferred.

The answer offers an independent OPV concept, with the caveat that Brother Monroe's video has only been partly watched. Any River-class successor needs a clear choice between retaining the patrol role and providing a larger step in capability. A proposed gunboat variant keeps the River hull and adds a telescoping hangar for UAVs or a Lynx helicopter, while preserving landing space on the flight deck. Armament options include a 57 mm gun forward, 40 mm weapons on either side, and a Phalanx close-in weapon system aft. That is intended to help the ship survive small drones or other asymmetric threats appearing unexpectedly during patrol work. A situation demanding substantially heavier firepower would place the OPV outside its intended role. The cost of a defensive shell should also be compared with the damage a drone could inflict on the ship.