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Conflict and Change
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Post War Conflict: Surface Fleet
Article Highlights
Technological Developments
Technological change in the cold war period was a significant factor in the development of warship design and operation. The post-war era was a time of tremendous changes, with effects on weapons, communications, sensors and propulsion systems (amongst others) whose capabilities all advanced by leaps and bounds; underlying all of this were the continuing advances in computing capability. In many cases scientists had initially developed the technologies during the Second World War. Post-war research and scientific advances enabled the navy to use the technology much more effectively.
Weapons moved from what are know known as 'dumb' weapons to those, which the navy could guide towards their targets. The Royal Navy supplemented, and in many cases replaced, guns with guided missile launchers, both in anti-aircraft and anti-ship roles. Homing torpedoes became the main anti-submarine weapon instead of depth charges. Nuclear weapons became a centre of attention, both as offensive weapons and as a threat, which defences had to be capable of dealing with.
Communication capabilities changed from Morse code and teleprinter to satellite-transmitted computer-to-computer and video-conference links. The result was the ability of commanders, both military and political, to have a minute-to-minute awareness of combat situations from a considerable distance, in some cases at intercontinental ranges, and communicate with those on the scene.
Improvements in sensors were evident in all aspects of maritime operations. Improvements in radar technology meant that the Royal Navy could overcome the limitations of wartime systems. These included problems of limited detection range, the effects of poor weather and enemy jamming and the ability to track large numbers of targets accurately.
Underwater detection capabilities improved dramatically; for a considerable period the machinery noise made by submarines was a major aid to detecting and locating them, often at very long ranges.
The use of infrared sensors and other sensors in the near-visual spectrum, such as low-light TV allowed operations when previously they would not have been possible. All of these developments, of course, could be exploited by friend and opponent alike; devising and implementing suitable countermeasures, were therefore an important area of study and research for military strategists.
Engineering developments introduced several new technologies, which partially replaced the steam turbine, steam reciprocating or diesel engines of previous generations. Amongst these were the use of gas turbines to allow quicker starting from cold, lighter machinery and improved fuel economy, the development of nuclear reactors providing virtually unlimited endurance (at a cost), mixed propulsion systems, such as steam turbines for cruising and the addition of gas turbines for high speeds, allowing better fuel economy and the increasing use of electric propulsion allowing quieter ships and thus reducing the likelihood of ships being detected.
