Q&A ยท 3:46:38-3:47:16

Technical possibility versus value in a Type 45 ExLS refit

An ExLS proposal for Type 45 leads to a comparison of conversion costs, remaining hull life, and new construction.

Question

Could Type 45 destroyers receive ExLS in place of the Sea Ceptor arrangement from Type 23 frigates to enable CAMM-ER, if politics were no obstacle?

Short answer

It is technically possible if money and politics are ignored, but extensive structural work on aging hulls can become so expensive that building a new ship is the better investment.

Notes

The proposal is to use ExLS for CAMM-ER on Type 45 destroyers. The reply accepts the technical possibility if money and politics are set aside. A more ambitious conversion could even cut the hull and insert additional structure for Mark 41 VLS capacity. That scale of intervention would still leave questions about the hull's remaining life. A major rebuild could cost more than a new ship, so physical feasibility alone does not establish that the conversion would be worthwhile.