The Technology in the Indian Ocean Hostage Crisis

It came to the surprise of many that the USS Bainbridge (DDG-96) is not carrying helicopters, but it should not be. First, I would remind that the USS Mahan (DDG 72) was reported to be using ScanEagles while she was on station before returning home. At that time, I got the impression the Arleigh Burke destroyer involved in the piracy fight would be where the Navy would put the ScanEagle detachment operating in that space.

There are 6 Arleigh Burke class destroyers that are specially configured for supporting unmanned technology, DDG-91 through DDG-96. While this was intended to be for operating the RMS mine warfare unmanned underwater vehicles, the same space could be used for supporting ScanEagles, indeed it would give more room for such a capability.

As I understand it, the UAV detachments and the helicopter detachments have both been moved around to various vessels depending upon their location and to test various operational concepts dealing with piracy. The Navy realizes they need UAVs like the ScanEagle, but it is unclear if the Navy has figured out the best way to deploy them. Are ScanEagles more useful than helicopters? Should be put helicopters on our destroyers that have hangers when our other destroyers without hangers can support ScanEagle? There are some legitimate questions, but as of right now I don't think the USS Halyburton (FFG 40) has the right equipment to support the ScanEagles, so the USS Bainbridge (DDG 96) is all we had in the area that could do it.

If you recall, we saw H-60s being collected for use on the USS San Antonio (LPD 17) when it was flagship. The result was taking H-60s from other vessels that were using ScanEagles. It is unclear if the shuffle of detachments continues, but it is probably determined by the mix of vessels in the region.

Now you might be asking why isn't the USS Stout (DDG 55) being used in this role? The other Arleigh Burke class destroyers in the region are the USS Stout (DDG 55) , USS Milius (DDG 69), and USS Paul Hamilton (DDG 60), which are all AEGIS BMD vessels, and the destroyer that would normally be operating with the USS Boxer (LHD 4), USS Chung-Hoon (DDG 93), was sent back to the Pacific to protect the USNS Impeccable (T-AGOS-23) following that incident. Ultimately, USS Bainbridge (DDG 96) is the only Arleigh Burke destroyer that was fighting pirates, and that has been the platform operating the ScanEagle detachment.

In the end, the primary technology assets utilized in this specific instance appears to be sniper rifles, RHIBs, and the ScanEagle UAV. While not exactly a technology, the influence ultimately came from the presence of the US Navy sailor, the most important component to any tactical operation dealing with bad guys in the asymmetric space at sea.