Let's talk with Noah (9/1/25): Subs, M777, NTACS, Under the Sea?

Good Evening everyone!

I get asked a lot of questions, like a lot. On the average week I get asked a few dozen questions about everything from projects to policy, my recipes to rumors.

Those of you who follow me on X will know that I oftentimes do NGL AMAs there. These are a fun, easy way for people to get connected to me, and help create some conversation during otherwise dull periods.

However NGL is limited, and so is X. It really isnt the best place for AMA and for a long time I've been wanting to do something different. I tried the Q&A here and I found it didnt really work either how I did it.

The demand has been there though, and the survey made it very clear that this kind of content was wanted. I originally wanted to do that in an audio format, and I still want to.

However my original concept for it is dead, and for good reason. New opportunities and partnerships in the pipeline have made me push off the podcasting stuff a bit. Thry aren't dead, far from it! It might be more than I anticipated.

In that meantime though I wanted to do something for it, to satisfy the weird demand there is for people to ask me questions.

I tried something last week in this format and the response was overwhelmingly positive. People like the shortform Q&A format, so why not give it a shot here.

So thats what we'll be doing. Consider it an extension of the newsletter, but seperate to give it the space it needs. Every Monday, along with the newsletter, we will have a Let's Talk with Noah!

How will it work? Its simple:

• Ten questions, every week.

• Voting system to determine which ten will be asked.

• Maybe if I feel like it more than ten.

We're going to experiment with this a bit, something that is fun and creates some community commection. We dont have a lot of that here, but I would love to see it.

This weeks questions are ones that are coming to me from my DMs and such, but for future Q&A we will be using Slido. Every week I will post the link for you here to ask your questions. Ask as many as you like!

I dont know how I wanna format this. Not yet at least. Maybe we do something fun? Maybe I go all out? For now we keep it simple.

Anyways, on to the questions!

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Q1. What are your current goals for TNSR

I get this question a surprising amount, and honestly I still can't concretely say. I have a proto-roadmap that I've been working on since the survey but it isnt done yet.

I would love to do interviews, more events like we did with the ASW chat, do the podcast. Those are three big goals for the next year. Mainly I am focused in refining my content, getting more knowledgeable, and finding a format that works for me.

This ain't my full-time job. I have other commitments so long as this isnt my primary income source, and I doubt it ever will be. I never did this for financial gain. It does limit my time a bit though in how much I can dedicate.

So, hey, if you or your company wanna sit down and chat with me, I'm more than open to it! I think it would be fun.

Q2. With the sub announcement now singling out two companies, what's your plan for breaking it down?

I spoke about this on X a bit, but I do have a project in the works for it. I want to do something special and massive. I want to break down both thr 212CD and KSS-III on every metric.

I want it to not just be the best breakdown in Canadian media but the best breakdown of both platforms available online. My working concept would likely be 8000+ words, far from easy but I think it would be worth it.

It's going to take time though. It's a lot harder than you think. There is still lots about both platforms that are still in the air, especially with the 212CD. That means a lot of research, a lot of asking around, and a lot of planning.

Its not just about regurgitating stats. I want to break it all down, from their armaments, their design, and all that sure. I also want to get into things like their AIP systems, battery systems, accommodations. I want it all laid out.

I might not get that. Companies aren't always willing to talk and some things are obviously classified. However I want to try my hardest, as much as I can to get as much information as possible.

I have reached out to both Hanwha and TKMS. I am hopeful that they will both be willing to answer my questions. TKMS has historically not talked much. They are very secretive but I believe I can charm them. They haven't yet, but im hopeful.

Hanwha is always nice and friendly. I think I will be able to get the information I want. Theyre almost always happy to talk and have open conversations. Why I love talking to them more than most!

Q3. Whats the status of NTACS

NTACS went back to the drawing board this summer. After a bit of a bump they're now back looking at potential options and figuring out what kind of aircraft we want.

The future of Tactical Aviation is in the air. Theres a lot of beliefs, from prioritizing newer technologies like Tiltrotors and Unmanned systems to a more traditional approach.

Ive seen a few concepts thrown around. One would divest of medium-class Helicopters and prioritize light helicopters and more Chinooks. I’ve heard of the MV-75 replacing the Twotters. I've seen attack helicopters.

Its all up in the air at the moment. The project will move rapidly though once it's figured out what it wants. Funding was in ONSF and its a high-priority item in the queue.

2032 is when we want the first aircraft delivering. We got seven years. That isnt a lot of time in our system lol but things like CMMA and CPSP does show us that it isnt impossible to move quick if we want.

Q4. Is HIMARS still the plan?

Yes. Stay tuned for more info on that soon! September is gonna be a fun month.

Q5. What is going to happen to the M777 once IFM delivers?

Once the new Self-Propelled Howitzers deliver the current M777 will be moved to Montreal for long-term storage. They will be kept there for as long as its possible to maintain them.

They'll be kept in case the need ever arises for them, be it because of a need for more fires or because they're the only option available that can be there.

We have no plans to buy more. Thats off the table AFAIK. They won't be moved to the reserves because it isnt seen as worth it training on a platform the regular forces won't use, and the difficulty over time of maintaining them.

Keeping them in storage allows us to stretch their life out, and keep them available if needed. I still see value in towed howitzers myself, so this is an option that im alright with if it’s the one way to keep them.

Q6. What is the most important project in your mind?

I've said this many times before but the most important project to me is Pan-Domain Command & Control. It is the foundation that brings all the new capabilities we're acquiring together, the string that ties everything into a beautiful, digital web.

You can add other things under it like Joint Fires Modernization as well. I consider them part of one big bundle of interconnective projects that creates the digital links needed to properly manage and coordinate assets in the current battlespace.

Without them, you'll never be able to take real advantage of whats coming.

Q7. VLS for CDC, Yay or Nay?

Im mixed. There is no doubt that the capability offered by VLS is game-changing for any corvette discussion. You are going to be inherently limited without it when it comes to not just things like air defence but also in the futureproofing it provides.

VLS gives CDC far more reach than it would ever have without it, while also giving it some garauntee that there will be future capabilities already in the works for it, so long as you go Mk.41 as opposed to something like ExLS or MK.56.

However it also raises a potential issue for me that isnt tied to the platform itself. A capable corvette will always be in competition to the River-class. No matter the differences, as soon as the CDC becomes capable enough there will be the potential for competition.

There will be people who see the CDC as a way to fix all the issues they see in the River-class. To American? Get CDC instead! To expensive? Buy cheaper CDC! Taking to long? CDC can be built quicker and at multiple yards! Cancel a few River and just buy extra CDC. See? More hulls!

Ive already seen it and we don't even know what the navy will fully settle on. This is despite the fact that both platforms are designed for different roles and are no where near similar. A few CDC will not replace the caoabilities of a single River like some expect.

Oftentimes its just people upset at the VLS count, cost, American systems, etc without thinking of everything else it brings. There are valid criticisms. I dont like the cost. I dont like the timelines. The CDC though is not the solution to that.

It wont just be people amd media either. It will be the political class of the country who also ask these questions and propose these ideas. Dont make a mistake there.

So its a highly worrying issue to me. Of course I would love to see a proper Corvette. I would like to see many things! I also can't ignore the glaring political issues that this raises, and my lingering worried of what will happen.

Q8. When will we hear about the Army reorganization?

This month we'll here about it. Plans are already approved AFAIK. Have been for a few months if you remember my special newsletter a few weeks ago.

Q9. When will the fighter review drop?

This month as well! If all goes to plan. Joly is supposed to visit Lockheed this month and I think that will be the last visit she does for this.

Q10. Whats one ship you would add to the navy?

I would like a proper Kingston replacement! However the one vessel I would like to see is a proper Subsea/Submarine support vessel. All the talks about twelve subs weems to ignore that we lack a dedicated vessel to do this job.

I take cables very seriously. Almost as seriously as Erin O'Toole (he recently wrote about it) does. Theyre a critical piece of vital infrastructure that we need to be prepared not just to mitigate the potential damage or destruction done to them but also defend them.

Do you know how many cables run between Canada and say Europe?

There you go. Theres all of them laid out, along with the one that runs from the United States. Did you know that upwards of 99% of internet traffic runs through these cables? They are quite literally the backbone of the global information network.

Now, losing one or two cables happens. It happened a few years ago on the West Coast where I believe all but one cable had been knocked out.

What happens though when our adversaries, who have already proven capable of carrying out these assymetic attacks in the Baltics, manage to cut all of them?

Vessels capable of providing this support are not common and lead times can stretch into the days and weeks. In the opening days of a conflict being cut off from this vital communication network for even a day can be critical and disastrous.

This isnt even discussing the want to be proactive and not just reactive when these events happen. Prevention is important and a dedicated vessel plays a major role in that. We cant rely on private vessels or jerryrigging here.

A vessel like the AOPS, while it could help, is not optimized to handle the scale we might see in a peer conflict. Thats why having these larger vessels is such an importance. They’re far better tasked to handle these very specialized, very specific tasks

Canada is incredibly vulnerable at sea. We have several very real and distinct chokepoints that could damage us an order of magnitude beyond what many common people will expect.

We need to be prepared to tackle those issues now. Theres also the role of Submarine support. Thats another important task that having a properly optimized vessel goes a long way.

Can the AOPS, again, do it? Sure. Theres even been some trials for it but it isnt the ideal platform. It goes beyond just rescue. A proper vessel can better provide support, including takes like resupply and forward repair.

It also doesnt have to be complex or expensive. It could be as simple as taking a second-hand vessel, or even just a commercial design and modifying it to task.

The RFA has Proteus, used to have Sterling Castle before it was moved to the navy proper. The Italians also recently put out a tender for a commerical vessel to be converted to a “Multi-purpose vessel for underwater dimension surveillance”.

We've even had similar concepts here. Davie had the Multi-Role Naval Support Vessel concept based off the Cecon Pride Subsea Construction Vessel and I have always loved the idea of the Ulstein SX121 being used as a base.

The MRNSV and SX121 respectively

There are cheaper, available options out there to fill this role. It does not have to turn into an overly-complex, specially-designed concept. Two of these, one for each coast could go a long way at improving our undersea awareness and response capabilities.

Perhaps this deserves a full article. What do you think?

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I dont really like this format but it works for now. Over the next few weeks I'm going to try and work around and experiment with how this is laid out. Im open to suggestions if people have them! I want it to be straight-forward, accessible and easy to go through. I don't think this format is.

Oh well, take a week and experiment a bit! Remember that you can ask your questions for next week by following this link. Dont be afraid to ask multiple questions if you like!