In this long-term proposal, large uncrewed vessels would restore the smaller-escort tier once supplied by Flower-class corvettes and escort destroyers. Modern frigates and destroyers perform cruising roles comparable to antisubmarine and air-defence cruisers, leaving fewer smaller ships beneath them. A crewed ship could support two or three, perhaps more, uncrewed vessels of about 2,000 to 3,000 tons. This mixed-fleet concept is described as a long way off, so the immediate peacetime calculation still concerns crewed ships and personnel.
Notable Point · 38:57-40:42
A proposed lower tier of large uncrewed escorts
Large uncrewed escorts could eventually restore smaller-ship numbers, but the proposal still requires crewed support ships and does not solve immediate fleet requirements.