Thread: Interesting new US warship

I think I'd let the sea worthiness of that new hull design be well proven before I'd go onboard her.

Bob

Originally Posted by Sailor

I've been reading some on Zumwalt. Very interesting design. It's obvious that the shape has some advantages.

Although not the same size but the shape reminds a bit of Swedish Visby-class corvettes. Not so unusual sight here as our navies have a lot of joint operations and teamworks etc these days.

I'm no seaman but,I think I like this one better ....it still has the look of a boat and I'm one of those nostalgic types.

Saw some non DoD studies about the ship. None really said she was a good one. "The Sea is an unforgiving mistress."
We took blue water over the bow gun mount in heavy seas on the ship I was on.. I am a bit concerned as to what she will do in seas like "The Most Dangerous Catch" contends with. 35 meter wave height and 100 meters between wave crests could make her a submarine.
~Richard

Well 16 inch guns are indeed a formidable weapon but the name of the game in modern naval warfare is who gets to target who first. Considering those classic battleship cannons only had about 24 miles of range its ability to use them may be a bit gimped. these days stealth is king with longer range anti ship weapons rocket propelled precision ordinance with 100+ mile ranges not to mention anti ship cruise missles it makes sense that the navy is favoring harder to detect and target ships as the way to go. He who can lock and engage first at range usually wins. And even though I love those old battle wagon designs I sadly think they're radar signature is that of a sky scraper. But yeah the new stuff just ain't got no style.

I find it telling that the original plans called for 32 ships to be built, soon reduced to 24,then 12 and finally 3. The design appears to not to be "Blue Water" optimized, rather a littoral low radar signature warship,favoring a mission which would entail it sneaking inshore , fire it's long range 155mm guns or land attack missiles and then egress. I have read that the new electromagnetic rail gun may be installed on the third ship. A First Look at America’s Supergun - WSJ

Yes, there seems to be heavy emphasis on up grading defenses in littoral waters and the clearing of sea mines.

Bob

Again,I'm no sea dog but seems basically this is all going to Sub warfare?I mean it's lke trying to make a boat do all the things a sub can but remain on the surface ?