New Model Of The River-Class revealed

Noah Note

We have a new River-class model after what feels like an eternity without an update! The model was revealed at an event today by Vice-Admiral Topshee and features one of the best looks we've had in a long-time at the current working configuration of the future River-class Destroyers.

Immediately this model is more about providing an updated look to represent the numerous changes over the last two yeats as opposed to showing off anything new in itself. Those of you hoping for new things to be confirmed might be a bit dissapointed.

However there are some notable things in here that DO raise some interest:

• Vulcano and Lionfish are removed and replaved by the MK.45 and Mk.38 respectively. This is the first they are being represented on a model.

• While MEJ has had it for a while, this model includes the addition of the AN/SLQ-32(V)6

• The NA-30S MK-2 is officially removed along with the rest of the Leonardo suite.

• We finally have confirmation on the placement of RAM. MEJ had previously put it in, but there wasn't actual confirmation. Also confirming only 1 RAM launcher over the hoped for and rumored (but never confirmed) 2 that many wished to see

• ExLS has also been fully removed finally from this model, confirming it's death.

• Still 24-cells lololol

• New placement for NSM, like the fifth change to it's placement

• The Mystery Boxes of Doom and Despair. I don't know what they are. I have asked. I dont know. I have asked peoppe at Lockheed, Navy, the Academics. No one can pinpoint what it is. It isn't Nulka, at least not in any config I have ever seen. It doesnt match and other planned decoy system that I know, and I searched. It is some sort of launcher system. However it's design doesnt match any VLS system like MK.56. It COULD and I stress could be a JAGM launcher. It is what kinda matches best? HOWEVER even that isnt a total match for this setup and look. It would be my closest guess? Likely it is a placeholder design for something and not representative of an accurate model. Adding a Hellfire/JAGM-based launcher as a CUxS tool between the MK.38 and RAM would be an interesting choice. Canada would be one of the more radical adopters here, though with the growing recognition of the threat of both UAS and USV, adding on a potentially lower-cost, reloadable, expendable system like Hellfire/JAGM to create an additional layer while saving up RAM does make sense, at least in my opinion. It's certainly the biggest guess from many, and likely the one that best aligns with the design presented here

These are the immediate changes that are notable on this midel compared to others. It does confirm a few things, and adds a new mystery to the River-class. However overall it is fairly standard to what we've long known about the design and the changes over the last year.

We knew the EW suite was mostly scrapped. We generally know ExLS would be removed eventually. We knew AN/SLQ-32(V)6 would be on the next models. That stuff we already had the idea in mind. It is good to see it visualized.

I don't know about most of you but I like when things are visualized for me to see with my.own eyes. It helps paint the concept, and provides something I can physically look at and say that things are definitely there. The model itself is gorgeous. These things cost tens of thousands. Lockheed reps if you read this I will raise the funds to buy your old models. I will find the money. Hit me up.

Either way this is nice, and hopefully we are now close to what the final configuration will look like. CDR is currently set for 2028 so there is still time for change to happen, though I feel we are slowly coming to the end of such things.

I likely missed stuff here. If y’all see anything let me know!