PC/WI: Mobile Radars brought to the Falklands 1982?

WILDGEESE

Gone Fishin'
After the invasion of the Falklands in 1982 there was a mad scramble by the UK's Armed Forces to get 'down South' as quickly as possible . . .

a) To get their before the Junta had the time to properly defend the islands eg extending the runway at Stanley for fast jets

b) To win a campaign before the Southern winter set in.

What if, with a bit of forward planning and knowing the RN's lack of AEW coverage a couple or more mobile radars where taken down South with the Task Force to be land delivered by a LSL or LPD?

Firstly, in early May as soon as the Task Force and Ampib Forces arrive in the TEZ and following a SBS or SAS recon to see if the island is occupied a LSL or LPD with a frigate escort lands a radar set with support staff and company of troops for defense on Sealion Island south of the Falklands. This then allows the Task Force to sail near the island and use it as a safe haven and possibly avoiding the loss of HMS Sheffield.

Secondly around the 21st, preferably on the 22nd because of fog, a LSL or LPD again covered by a frigate escort plus support land another radar on Steeple Jason Island to the North West allowing some limited radar coverage for the landings.

Would this be possible?

Would it work and if so how effective would it be?

Regards filers
 
It's possible but I doubt it would be a good course of action. It would tie up the limited number of landing craft/ships to do tasks that might be done by destroyers or frigates. Transportation in the Falklands was so scarce that quite drastic risks were taken when moving troops forward. Sometimes it worked like when the Chinook moved 81 and 76 men forward to and unsecured LZ over an unsecured route. Other times it ended in tragedy, like when the LSLs were bombed at Bluff Cove killing a lot of men.

In that operational environment I doubt landing radars is the best use of limited transportation resources.
 
After the invasion of the Falklands in 1982 there was a mad scramble by the UK's Armed Forces to get 'down South' as quickly as possible . . .

a) To get their before the Junta had the time to properly defend the islands eg extending the runway at Stanley for fast jets

b) To win a campaign before the Southern winter set in.

What if, with a bit of forward planning and knowing the RN's lack of AEW coverage a couple or more mobile radars where taken down South with the Task Force to be land delivered by a LSL or LPD?

Firstly, in early May as soon as the Task Force and Ampib Forces arrive in the TEZ and following a SBS or SAS recon to see if the island is occupied a LSL or LPD with a frigate escort lands a radar set with support staff and company of troops for defense on Sealion Island south of the Falklands. This then allows the Task Force to sail near the island and use it as a safe haven and possibly avoiding the loss of HMS Sheffield.

Secondly around the 21st, preferably on the 22nd because of fog, a LSL or LPD again covered by a frigate escort plus support land another radar on Steeple Jason Island to the North West allowing some limited radar coverage for the landings.

Would this be possible?

Would it work and if so how effective would it be?

Regards filers

This is an interesting point of departure.


I'm thinking for this tactic to provide a worthwhile advantage over existing radars on warships a long range radar that could be transported by helicopter onto a suitable hill top would likely be needed ?

Did the UK own suitable long range radars that could transported by helicopters that could be launched and recovered from ships in the task force ? (This might rule out using chinooks to transport the radars prior to the landings taking place ?)

(Sorry I haven't looked at the islands in question and if it was in fact possibile to drive to suitable hill tops I apologize in advance.)
 

WILDGEESE

Gone Fishin'
This is an interesting point of departure.


I'm thinking for this tactic to provide a worthwhile advantage over existing radars on warships a long range radar that could be transported by helicopter onto a suitable hill top would likely be needed ?

Did the UK own suitable long range radars that could transported by helicopters that could be launched and recovered from ships in the task force ? (This might rule out using chinooks to transport the radars prior to the landings taking place ?)

(Sorry I haven't looked at the islands in question and if it was in fact possibile to drive to suitable hill tops I apologize in advance.)

I agree with what you've said about being able to drive up to a suitable hill top.

I'm unable to look properly at the islands in question properly as Google Maps haven't obviously haven't got a "Street View" of the areas in question so I'm guessing if they're suitable or not.

As for the original post, I was thinking that the LSL/LPD backs up towards the island (hopefully a beach) then uses its Mexeflote carried by the LSL's, I not aware if the LPD's had them to offload the radar thus avoiding the limitations of the helicopters.

Just double checked Google Maps and Sealion Island settlement does have a airstrip.

Question is would an C-130 be able to land then take off again from the said airstrip? . . . and would a British portable radar fit inside a C-130?

Another point of divergence now I've mentioned the airstrip on Sealion Island . . . would it be better to put "Sids Strip" on there instead for quickness?

Regards filers
 
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