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Kiwi Imperialist
Post subject: Post-Cold War Large Surface Combatant ChallengePosted: April 8th, 2020, 12:47 am
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Joined: December 10th, 2014, 9:38 am
Welcome to the Post-Cold War Large Surface Combatant Challenge! You are tasked with drawing a destroyer or cruiser sized surface combatant for a nation of your choice. Ccountries from an alternate universe are permitted. Your surface combatant must be commissioned between 1990 and 2020. The other requirements, outlined below, are fairly broad and should allow you to create a surface combatant suitable for the needs of your chosen nation. This challenge is unrelated United States Navy's Large Surface Combatant program. However, you may wish to create a warship to meet the requirements of an earlier, fictional iteration of that program. Please read the challenge rules relating to submissions and drawings.

Design Requirements
  1. Your submission must depict a surface combatant, a ship which is primarily intended to fight with its own weapons.
  2. The surface combatant should be commissioned for the first time between the years 1992 and 2020. It should also be designed for that period. Development and construction can commence before 1992.
  3. Your surface combatant must have full load displacement of at least 5,000 long tons (5,600 short tons or 5,080 tonnes).
  4. The full load displacement of your surface combatant should not exceed of 18,000 long tons (20,160 short tons or 18,289 tonnes).
  5. At most, two manned helicopters (or tiltrotors) and two small unmanned aerial vehicles may be embarked on your surface combatant.

Challenge Rules
  1. Each participant must submit a single image.
  2. The image should be a Shipbucket template modified to include the participant’s art. Templates which include a data sheet are allowed.
  3. One side-view of the participant's ship must be included. One top-view is also permitted, but not required. All other views are prohibited.
  4. If two views are included, they must depict the same ship at the same point in time.
  5. A textual description accompanying each submission is allowed, but not necessary.
  6. Off-topic posts will be reported to the relevant authorities.
  7. All art should be in Shipbucket scale.

The challenge will run until the 8th of May, ending at 23:59 UTC-12 (International Date Line West).
Please consult this post if you don't know when the challenge is ending.

A poll will be held after this date. Members of the Shipbucket community will have an opportunity to score, on a scale of 1 to 10, each submission in four categories:

  • Drawing Quality - The overall quality of the drawing. One might consider detailing, shading, and accuracy.
  • Design Realism - How realistic is the design presented? Any accompanying text may be considered.
  • Originality - Does the submission present a new and unique design, or is it a copy of an existing one?
  • Suitability - Does the design meet the requirements of the challenge?

[ img ][ img ][ img ]


Last edited by Kiwi Imperialist on May 8th, 2020, 10:49 pm, edited 2 times in total.

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Kiwi Imperialist
Post subject: Re: Post-Cold War Large Surface Combatant ChallengePosted: April 8th, 2020, 1:37 am
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Joined: December 10th, 2014, 9:38 am
Please note that the design requirement section has been modified from:
  1. Your submission must depict a surface combatant, a ship which is primarily intended to fight with its own weapons.
  2. The surface combatant should be commissioned between the years 1992 and 2020. Development and construction can commence before 1992.
  3. Your surface combatant must have full load displacement of at least 5,000 long tons (5,600 short tons or 5,080 tonnes).
  4. The full load displacement of your surface combatant should not exceed of 18,000 long tons (20,160 short tons or 18,289 tonnes).
  5. At most, two manned helicopters and two small unmanned aerial vehicles may be embarked on your surface combatant.

To the following (changed text bold and underlined):
  1. Your submission must depict a surface combatant, a ship which is primarily intended to fight with its own weapons.
  2. The surface combatant should be commissioned for the first time between the years 1992 and 2020. It should also be designed for that period. Development and construction can commence before 1992.
  3. Your surface combatant must have full load displacement of at least 5,000 long tons (5,600 short tons or 5,080 tonnes).
  4. The full load displacement of your surface combatant should not exceed of 18,000 long tons (20,160 short tons or 18,289 tonnes).
  5. At most, two manned helicopters (or tiltrotors) and two small unmanned aerial vehicles may be embarked on your surface combatant.


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Mitchell van Os
Post subject: Re: Post-Cold War Large Surface Combatant ChallengePosted: April 9th, 2020, 9:59 am
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Posts: 1056
Joined: July 27th, 2010, 5:19 pm
[ img ]
[ img ]
Pennand----Start Build----Tonnes----Name
C442--------2019----------11000----Temeraire
C441--------2017----------11000----Courageous
C440--------2015----------11000----Thunderer
C439--------2013----------11000----Conqueror

_________________
Fryssian AU with Lt.Maverick 114
viewtopic.php?f=14&t=9802&p=193331#p193331
[ img ]
Embarked on: HNLMS Karel Doorman A833
To do list:
-Zeven Provincien class cruiser
-Joint support ship all sides
-F124 Sachsen class frigate
-F125 Baden-Württemberg class frigate
-Clemencau class aircraft carrier
-Zeven provincien class frigate
-Poolster class AOR
-Amsterdam class AOR
-Minas Gerais aircraft carrier


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superboy
Post subject: Re: Post-Cold War Large Surface Combatant ChallengePosted: April 13th, 2020, 2:26 pm
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Joined: July 5th, 2013, 7:09 am
Location: Thailand
Contact: Website
Hello quiet songkran festival :D

Historia-Class Attack Destroyer

Towards the end of the Great Titan War ( Kingdom of Eldia vs Kingdom of Marley, 2007 to 2013), Eldian navy decommissioned 3 dreadnoughts and developing locally made multipurpose warship. the main mission of the destroyer is anti-surface warfare and the ship is equipped to detect, identify, track, engage, attack!, attack!, attack!, attack! and attack! Marleyan navy

The ship is also equipped for anti-air warfare and anti-submarine warfare roles and can carry out non-combatant tasks in peacetime. the ship houses a medical facility. four ships built by Shiganshina Ship Building (South of Paradis Island) with assistance from the German company.

DDG-104 Historia: in service 15 January 2020, Queen Historia Reiss nicknamed her "Krista"
DDG-105 Frieda: launched 28 July 2019
DDG-106 Uri: Laid down 2021
DDG-107 Florian: Laid down 2022

[ img ]


General specifications:
Displacement: 5,380 tons full load
Length: 132.8 m
Beam: 19.4 m
Draught: 7.1 m
Propulsion: Combined diesel and gas turbine (CODAG)
Two MTU Series 4000 4.8 MW diesel engines for cruising
One GE LM2500 21.5 MW gas turbine for high speed running
Speed: 27 km
Range: 4,600 nmi

Sensors:
1XThales NS-200 4D Surveillance radar
2xKelvin hughes Mk11 SharpEye X-Band navigation radars
1xKelvin hughes Mk11 SharpEye S-Band navigation radar
2xAnti-air missile uplink attennas
1xHelicopter datalink attenna
2xThales STIR 1.2 EO Mk2 fire control radars
1xWall Maria AOT-845 Combat Management System
2xIndra RIGEL RECMs
2xIndra RIGEL RESMs
4xIndra laser warning detectors
1xThales UMS 4110 Hull mounted sonar
1xThales UMS 4249 CAPTAS4 towed sonar
1xThales TUUM-6 Underwater Telephone
1xThales MOAS - Mine & Obstacle Avoidance Sonar

Armament:
1×Leonardo Otobreda 127/64 Vulcano Main gun
1×Leonardo OTO Melara 76/62 mm Soveraponte CIWS gun
2XNexter 20mm Narwhal remote weapon systems
4X12.7 mm Machine guns
6×324 mm Torpedo tubes for MU 90 torpedoes
2xSLAT Anti-torpedo systems
2xODLS-20 Anti-missile systems

Forward Vertical Launcher: 32 cells MBDA A50 VLS for
16xVL JSM (Vertical Launch Joint Strike Missile) anti-ship/land attack missiles (main mission is Marleyan Coastal defence ships)
16xAster 30 anti-air missile or 32xCAMM-ER anti-air missile

After Vertical Launcher: 16 cells MBDA A70 VLS for SCALP Naval cruise missile with a range up to 1000 km (main mission is Marleyan Coastal artillery)

Forward Mission Deck Flex for
4x8 m RHIB Boats or 2x8 m RHIB Boats and 2x20 ft Mission Modules
PS. can remove the bridge between funnel and aft VLS superstructure

After Mission Deck Flex for
12xF21 dual purpose heavy-weight torpedoes and 2×533 mm torpedo tubes (main mission is Marleyan Battleships)
or 5x20 ft Mission Modules
or 50xNaval mines

Aircraft carried
2xNH-90 ASW Helicopters
2xS-100 UAV
Aviation facilities: Double hangar
--------------------------------

Cheer *__^


Last edited by superboy on April 23rd, 2020, 2:16 pm, edited 2 times in total.

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Blackbuck
Post subject: Re: Post-Cold War Large Surface Combatant ChallengePosted: April 17th, 2020, 11:10 am
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Joined: July 27th, 2010, 9:15 am
Location: Birmingham, United Kingdom
Glórmhar-class Air-Warfare Destroyer

Glórmhar and her sisters are among the most innovative warships in service. Developed to replace the Pailidín-class, they were envisaged initially as a further tranche of Aimitis-class vessels but it was decided early on that something more tailored to the role was required.
Thus, the Glórmhar-class whilst retaining the flag role of the Pailidín-class feature a much enhanced area-defence capability as well as a variety of novel and advanced features unique to them.
Structurally speaking they are split into zones with four longitudinal girders over the majority of the ship’s length that in turn are supported by six double-skinned bulkheads. The two major zones are each capable of independent operation in the event of battle damage or collision.
They feature a fully electric power plant with the main turbine being sited above the strength deck and the four diesel generator sets buried in the upper hull above the waterline, this allows for the ship to be acoustically quietened to a degree previously unobtainable.

One of the most noticeable features of the design is the lack of a visible hangar, this is due to the Glórmhar-class having a below-decks hangar and mission bay in their broad stern. Capable of hangaring and maintaining a pair of large ASW helicopters or a variety of smaller unmanned / optionally-manned systems. The positioning of the hangar also allows for containerised systems to be fed into the mission bay via either of the two elevators.

As a weapons platform the Glórmhar-class are second only to the Badhbh-class destroyer-leaders in their stores carrying ability with a six-block launcher at either end of the ship and two twin-block launchers fore and amidships.

Sensors where possible are split between the two islands with radar fore and aft each maintaining a 360-degree field of view albeit in different frequency-bands. Optical surveillance and missile-warning systems are also split between the two islands as are communications and electronic warfare systems.

In short. Drawing on design-work carried out for the Crainnic Navy's Doireann and Shillelagh-class frigates an enlarged version of the Shillelagh was developed. Improvements and changes from the Shillelagh include:

- The raising and rafting of propulsion units above the waterline and increased acoustic quieting of the hull
- The deletion of conventional props in favour of a pair of semi-conformal waterjets
- The adoption of an under-deck hangar and mission bay allowing for a full launcher block to be sited well aft
- The introduction of submarine-derived automation for propulsion and non-essential systems to reduce crew requirements

[ img ]

Specifications

General Overview
  • Type: Air-Warfare Destroyer
  • Built-by: Federal Shipbuilding Company, Lynch & Murphy
  • Operated-by: Royal Glasic Navy
  • Preceded-by: Aimitis-class, Pailidín-Class
  • Cost: Averaged at ~1.93bn USD (2020) from similar designs, not including R&D
  • Planned: 4
  • Active: 2
  • Building: 2

General Characteristics
  • Displacement: ~8,130 tonnes (full load)
  • Length: 151m oa. - 140m wl.
  • Beam: 28m extreme, aft - 24m amidships
  • Draught: 5.5m (mean) - 7.3m (over sonar dome)
  • Hull-Depth (amidships to main-deck): 10.2m
  • Usual Complement: 210 Total - 20 Officers, 190 Ratings (Including air-crew)
  • Total Accommodation: 270 Berths
  • Endurance:45 Days

Propulsion
  • Fully Integrated Electric Propulsion
  • 1x Rolls Royce Marine Trent MT30 gas-turbine generator @40MWe, 4x Wärtsilä 16V26 diesel-generators @ 5,4400kWe ea. 2x Wärtsilä 1000W6L20 auxiliary generators at 1,000kWe ea.
  • 2x Rolls Royce Kamewa AWJ-21-207 @ 21.5MW ea. 2x 900kW rim-drive auxiliary propulsors
  • Max. Speed: >28kts (GTG + 2-4x DGs)
  • Cruise Speed: 18kts (2x DGs)
  • Range @ Cruising Speed: >6,000nm / 11,110km

Sensors and Systems
  • Thales TACTICOS MS-1000 CMS
  • Raytheon AMDR-S - 24-RMAs per face - (E/F-band, SPY-1 +11db performance)
  • Raytheon AMDR-X - 9-RMAs per face - (I-band, SPY-1 +0db performance)
  • TDA Kingklip Mk.2 keel-mounted MF sonar
  • TDA CAPTAS 4 towed-array LF sonar
  • Hensoldt Sharpeye-X + Sharpeye S navigation radars (helicopter control capable)
  • 2x FLIR Systems Star SAFIRE 380-HLD EO/IR gimbals
  • Northrop Grumman Silent Watch Distributed Aperture System (MWIR/LWIR)
  • Thales Gatekeeper-derived staring surveillance system (NIR / Vis)
Communications
  • 2x AS-2537C/SR HF whips
  • 2x AS-3772B/U HF whips
  • 2x AS-5078/SR LF-receive antenna
  • 2x AS-2809 VHF dipoles
  • 4x VMB-11512-N V/UHF dipoles
  • Thales ICAS-derived V/UHF suite embedded into the mast structures for Link-11, -16 and -22 as well as civilian communications etc
  • 4x OE-538-based wide-band antenna
  • 4x Syntonics PARCA-type conformal wideband SATCOM arrays (1-44GHz)
  • 2x Thales DIVESAT-derived Ka-band phased-arrays
  • 2x Phased-array INMARSAT antenna

Electronic Warfare Systems
  • Northrop Grumman CIRCM-derived optical countermeasures atop the fore masthead
  • Northrop Grumman AAR-54-derived UV MAWS
  • Rohde & Schwarz distributed COMINT / SIGINT suite + PARCA-type intercept arrays
  • NOLQ-3-derived ECM/ESM suite
  • 4x Chemring Centurion countermeasure dispensers
  • 4x Rheinmetall MASS countermeasure dispensers
  • 4x Nulka active-decoy dispensers
  • Nixie-derived towed acoustic decoy
  • 2x Ultra EAD acoustic decoy launchers
  • 4+ tube-launched IrvinGQ FDS-3 inflatable corner-reflector decoys

Armament
  • 3x 75mm L70 (Flavoured as Bofors TAK-120 derivatives) ~1,000rds of guided and unguided ammunition ea.
  • 2x MSI Seahawk Sigma combination 40mm (Super Forty) Bushmaster / Quintuple Thales LMM mounts
  • 2x 13.2mm remote mounts
  • 2x 6-block strike-length vertical launchers (One each, fore and aft) - SM-6MR, SM-6ER, HyStrike, Sea Lance
  • 2x 2-block tactical-length vertical launchers (One each, fore and aft) - S225-VL
  • 4x Quadruple Joint Strike or Naval Strike Missile launch tubes
  • 2x Single 400mm (lined to 324mm) lightweight torpedo tubes

Organic Aviation
  • Below-decks hangar for two large helicopters with two elevators (Two Merlin and two camcopters in this case)
  • JPALS-derived GPS-based landing aid
  • Beartrap-type secure landing system

Organic Boats and Landing Craft
  • 2x 8.5m Rigid-Hull Sea-boats
  • Stern-ramp and handling system for boats to be operated from the mission bay

Modular Space
  • 4x 20' ISO pockets amidships
  • 6x 20' ISO pockets aft of hangar

Ships-in-Class

D89 Glórmhar (Glorious) - Laid-down Jun. 26 2017 - Launched Jun. 16 2019 - Commissioned Mar. 12 2020
D90 Díoltas (Vengeance) - Laid-down Aug. 10 2017 - Launched Jul. 31 2019 - Currently on sea trials, est. commissioning late Apr. 2020
D91 Dílis (Faithful) - Laid-down Oct 7 2017 - Launched Sep. 28 2019 - Fitting out pending sea trials
D92 Prásach (Brazen) - Laid-down Dec. 9 2017 - Launched Nov. 21 2019 - Fitting out pending sea trials

_________________
AU Projects: | Federal Monarchy of Tír Glas| Other Ivernic Nations | Artemis Group |
Blood and Fire


Last edited by Blackbuck on May 8th, 2020, 10:49 pm, edited 5 times in total.

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minepagan
Post subject: Re: Post-Cold War Large Surface Combatant ChallengePosted: April 18th, 2020, 1:52 am
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Joined: June 5th, 2019, 3:21 pm
Monte Sano-class Guided Missile Command Cruiser, USS Monte Sano (CCG-21)

USS Monte Sano (CCG-21) is a guided missile command cruiser and ballistic missile defense ship operated by the United States Navy and is the flagship and command ship of the United States Seventh Fleet. She is the only ship of her class and the first ship named after Monte Sano, a peak in the Appalachian Mountains. She is currently forward-deployed to U.S. Navy Fleet Activities, Yokosuka in Japan.

Monte Sano was laid down 15 July 1989 at the Avondale Shipyard in Bridge City, Louisiana. Launched 23 September 1991 and commissioned 17 February 1993, Monte Sano holds the distinction of carrying the largest radar of any warship afloat.

[ img ]


General Characteristics

  • Type: Guided Missile Command Cruiser/Ballistic Missile Defense Ship
  • Displacement: 17,182 t (full)
  • Length: 606 ft (185 m)
  • Beam: 84 ft (26 m)
  • Draft: 19 ft 6 in (5.94 m)
  • Propulsion: 4 Colt Industries 16-cylinder diesel engines, 2 shafts w/ 33,000 shp (25,000 kW)
  • Speed: over 20 kn (37 km/h; 23 mph)
  • Boats carried: 2 x rigid hull inflatable boats
  • Aircraft carried: 1 x UH-3H Sea King
  • Crew Complement: 30 officers, 391 enlisted
  • Command Staff: 216 officers, 383 enlisted

Sensors

  • AN/SPQ-11 multi-function radar
  • AN/SPS-49 air search radar
  • AN/SPG-62 fire control radar
  • AN/SPS-73 surface search radar
  • AN/SLQ-32 electronic warfare suite

Armament

  • 16 x High Endoatmospheric Defense Interceptor
  • 2 x Mk 41 Mod 0/1 Vertical Launching System (122 cells)
  • 2 x 25 mm (0.98 in) Mk 38 Mod 2 Bushmaster chain gun
  • 4 x .50 in (12.7 mm) cal. Browning M2HB machine gun
  • 2 x Phalanx CIWS Block 1B


Last edited by minepagan on May 1st, 2020, 1:51 am, edited 3 times in total.

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Garlicdesign
Post subject: Re: Post-Cold War Large Surface Combatant ChallengePosted: April 22nd, 2020, 3:28 pm
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Posts: 1058
Joined: December 26th, 2012, 9:36 am
Location: Germany
Hello again!

Muirbhreid-class Frigate LT Comhcheangal

8 units in class laid down in two batches 2004 - 2007 and 2009 - 2012, and delivered 2008 - 2011 and 2013 - 2015, respectively. LT Comhcheangal is the seventh hull in the class (ninth if counting export vessels), constructed between 2011 and 2014.

[ img ]

Displacement: 5.200 ts standard, 6.850 ts full load
LOA: 146,40 m
Beam: 18,75 m
Draught: 5,20 m mean without sonar dome, 6,40 m deep load, 7,90 m maximum including sonar dome
Machinery: Two-shaft CODLAG: Four CLTI RT1C-7 gas turbines (48.000 shp), coupled to two OSD E-175 diesel generators, powered by 4 Nairn D42N-1 diesels (32.000 bhp), total power 80.000 shp
Design Speed: 30 knots
Range: 8.000 nm @ 20 kts
Crew: 180
Armament: 1 Trenhaile LC47T-1 130mm L/60 gun, 2 Rheinmetall Millennium 35mm CIWS, 2 Trenhaile LC51T-1 30mm remote-controlled autocannon, 6 Cleoite GA22E-2 12.7mm HMGs, 6 8-cell VLS (4 SCI license production of Sylver A43, 2 of Sylver A70) with 32 - 48 ASTER 15 SAMs and/or up to 16 SCALP-N land attack cruise missiles, 2 16-cell SCI UM2S-1 VLS for VL Mica PDMS, 2 quad launchers for SCI/MBDA ANS supersonic sea-skimming SSM, 4 fixed 324mm torpedo tubes with a total of 40 MU-90 torpedoes or SCI QT1S-1 supercavitating anti-torpedo drones (normal loadout 32+8)
Aviation: 2 Znamenany H1Z-7 Muiscit multirole helicopters (weapon stowage for helos 20 AS.15TT or Polyphem missiles, 40 TRIGAT missiles and 20 MU-90 torpedoes) and 2 Znamenany L4Z-1 UAVs (can fire TRIGAT missiles)
Countermeasures: OSD QU3O-1 towed torpedo decoy, TT-launched anti-torpedo drones (see above), 2 Cleoite QR4E-2 48-shot multi-ammunition hardkill launchers, 4 Cleoite QP3E-1 chaff/flare dispensers, SCI RQ2S-1 integrated electronic countermeasures suite
Sensors: Thales Herakles (license-produced by SCI) electronically scanned S-band search, target indication and illumination radar for ASTER missiles, SCI RI6S-1 electronically scanned L-Band long range 3D air search radar, SCI RL2S C-band surface search radar, 2 Liathui RL9L-8 X-band navigation and helicopter approach radars, 4 Trenhaile RS9T-2 electronically scanned illuminator/tracker radars for gunnery and VL Mica missiles (15 targets simultaneously, any mix of weapons), Trenhaile OF8T-3 multispectral electro-optical imager, 4 Trenhaile OF10T-1 electro-optical backup directors for gunnery and VL Mica missiles, OSD SL12O-2 low frequency active bow sonar, OSD SU4O-4 towed multi-frequency active/passive VDS

Further text and export variants under Thiaria:Reboot

Greetings
GD


Last edited by Garlicdesign on May 2nd, 2020, 10:32 am, edited 1 time in total.

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Hood
Post subject: Re: Post-Cold War Large Surface Combatant ChallengePosted: April 23rd, 2020, 2:48 pm
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Joined: July 31st, 2010, 10:07 am
My entry, a re-imagined Type 45 to fit my Alternate RN timeline.

[ img ]
HMS Diana 2020

Efforts to find a multi-national collaborative successor to the Type 82 class destroyers failed during the 1990s as the UK withdrew from Horizon programme. Instead the RN went for a national solution but with multi-national development of the systems. The basic Sea Viper Aster SAM system was married to two new British SAM programmes; the shorter-ranged CAMM evolved from the Taildog AAM - including its Spear land-attack variant using a Brimstone dual-seeker - and the 300km-range Sea Meteor developed from the Meteor rocket/ramjet-powered AAM. The result was one of the most capable air-defence platforms in the world. Married to this were SCALP cruise missiles developed with France as well as Swedish anti-ship missiles, Dutch and Australian radars and British equipment. Twelve ships were planned to replace the Type 82s and the four Type 43 Surrey destroyers but the 2010 Defence Review cut the last four ships.

8 ships commissioned:
HMS Daring D32 July 2009
HMS Dauntless D33 June 2010
HMS Diamond D34 May 2011
HMS Dragon D35 April 2012
HMS Defender D36 March 2013
HMS Duncan D37 September 2013
HMS Diana D38 May 2014
HMS Despatch D39 November 2014

Dimensions:510ft (oa), 480ft (wl) length; 70ft beam; 22ft 6in draught (over sonar domes), 18ft (hull).
Machinery: Two 48,000shp Rolls-Royce MT30 gas turbines plus two 15,600hp Wärtsilä 38 diesels
Speed: 32kts (deep and clean)
Range: 7,000 nautical miles at 18kts
Displacement: 9,000 tons standard
Armament:
1x 5in L/62 Mark 45 Mod.4 gun mount, fire-control by 2x EOGCS
2x4 container-launchers for Kongsberg NSM SSMs
2x8-cell Sylver A70 VLS for Naval-SCALP cruise-missiles, Aster-30 or Sea Meteor SAMs
6x8-cell Sylver A50 VLS for Aster-15, Aster-30, Sea Meteor or quad-packed CAMM-ER SAMs or quad-packed Spear-ER SSMs
4x8-cell Sylver A50 VLS for quad-packed CAMM and CAMM-ER SAMs
2x1 30mm MSI-DSI Sigma 30 AA gun mounts - also fitted with 5-round Martlet anti-boat missiles
2x Starstreak CIWS mounts with 24x Starstreak SAMs and/or Martlet SSMs each
4x1 12.75in lightweight A/S torpedo tubes for Stingray
Aircraft
Hangar for up to;
2x Westland Merlin HM.2 or 2x Leonardo Wildcat HM.2 or 2x Leonardo SW-4MU UCAV (capable of carrying out recon and strike using Martlet or Sea Venom ASMs)
Radars:
BAe Sampson Type 1045 multi-function radar
Signaal Type 1046 long-range search radar
2x Type 1009 navigation radars
6x Type 1010 phased-array surface search radars
4x Gatekeeper EO/IR sensors
Type 2091 bow-mounted multi-function sonar

EW/Defences
Thales UAT(16) ESM
2x Type 2199 Pillbox EW jammers
6x MAWS/DAS
2x CIRCM
4x12 Centurion decoy launchers
2x8 Type 2170 UAD anti-torpedo decoy launchers
4x DLF(3) floating decoy launchers

_________________
Hood's Worklist
English Electric Canberra FD
Interwar RN Capital Ships
Super-Darings
Never-Were British Aircraft


Last edited by Hood on May 4th, 2020, 7:21 am, edited 3 times in total.

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erik_t
Post subject: Re: Post-Cold War Large Surface Combatant ChallengePosted: April 24th, 2020, 5:59 pm
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Joined: July 26th, 2010, 11:38 pm
Location: Midwest US
Towers-class Destroyer
DD-998 USS Towers (2000)


[ img ]

560ft LOA
523.5ft LWL
61.5ft BOA
56.5ft BWL
22ft draft at ~9860 long ton full load (26ft navigational)

(1)

The SC-21 Cost and Operational Evaluation Analysis (COEA) faced a problem, and with it an opportunity: the
US Navy was aging, but the aging units constituted the wrong navy.

As the Spruance-class destroyers and Perry-class frigates approached block obsolescence in the 1990s, it was
clear that neither was especially well suited to the post-Cold War US Navy emphasis on littoral and land strike
operations. It appeared as though the light-duty AAW of the Perry could be combined with the strike and sea
control capability of the Spruance in a single platform. Certainly the new Flight IIA Burke met these needs,
and every other, and a navy structured entirely around these ships surely satisfied every admiral's dreams.
However, it was clear that Burkes were unaffordable in the numbers needed.

Operations in the Gulf had also demonstrated the utility of low-observable ("stealth") platforms. The Burkes
were designed with some low-cost and low-impact LO features, but a whole new hull would be required to achieve
what some thought desirable. The COEA effort considered a range of stealthiness, and with it a range of cost
and ship impact: everything from a cheapened Burke to the recently declassified Sea Shadow, the latter almost
unrecognizable as a ship.

The Towers class that emerged from the COEA studies represented a sensible middle ground in most respects.
Effective sensors, but not the best. Efficient and high-tech machinery plant, but not the most efficient or most
high-tech. Powerful armament, but not the most powerful. Spacious enough for future refit, but not colossally
over-sized. Survivable, but not indestructible. And stealthy, but not outrageously stealthy. Indeed, in this final
characteristic she closely resembles the French La Fayette frigates that recently entered service.

The Towers destroyers may completely extirpate the destroyer escort/frigate categories in the Naval Vehicle
Register. Only time will tell whether less-capable variants, or follow-ons, to the Towers-class introduce a new
categorical division. The Towers are also designed with an Aegis half-sister in mind, in light of the very positive
experience with the Spruance-derived Ticonderoga.

As so much on this ship is hidden, rather than a list of characteristics, the reader will be taken on a guided
tour of the ship's profile that may explain many of the choices and considerations that led to this final design.

The "chapters" [i.e., (1), (2)] are not listed compartment-by-compartment, and are merely intended to
break up the flow of prose.

(2)

At the bow, we find very little of the regular deck gear that would be equally familiar to a sailor of a Burke or a
battleship. Aside from a protruding prow anchor, nearly everything (bollards, windlasses, and all) lies hidden
below deck (the second anchor, like a submarine's, emerges from the keel). As designed, a flag/light pole and
clip-your-harness life rails were the only surface clutter. These latter fell under immediate criticism; the forward
UNREP spot and non-skid surface (!) clearly meant that sailors were intended to work on the exposed bow in a
seaway. The low-observable angled composite helo nets were adapted to the bow of the first unit before
she had even completed builder's trials. These collapse down onto the deck when not in use.

Below the water, the Towers class demonstrates her first concession to economy. The new-style bow dome on
Towers herself contains the familiar SQS-53C low-frequency sonar that can trace its heritage back to the 1960s.
Her sisters... it depends. To fill out the force structure, some units may instead employ the DE-1160C, an
upgraded version of the much-derided SQS-56. Later units may make use of the product of Northrup
Grumman's 21HS program, if that is seen to its conclusion.

A Towers-class destroyer is separated by four 1m cofferdams into four large and one small units
(subdivided, of course, into smaller watertight compartments). Aft of the bow compartment
is the first of these cofferdams. For survivability, each large unit (that is, not including the bow compartment)
contains at least emergency power generation for electricity and ownship-powered pumping.

Making our way aft, the familiar 5"/54 gun is absent. In its place is a Mk 110 57mm/70. This is a popular
utility mount the world over, and acts as a CIWS for the class, but for NGFS it serves little purpose. The
explanation will soon be clear. Aft of the gun is an OE-538/BRC submarine-derived multifunction communications
mast. Its purpose on this class is to fill blind arcs (HF) and serve as backup (VHF/UHF); it is not the primary
radio system. The weather deck (at the bow, 01) drops down from the shell of the ship around the
forward Mk 110, and bulwarks aft of this point provide for more regular operation and positive crew protection.

(3)

Aft of the 57mm and OE-538, we find a 64 cell Mk 41 strike-length VLS, concealed from view as on the British
Type 23. With the recent adoption of the four-pack Evolved Sea Sparrow Missile, this is a deep enough magazine
for the whole ship. There is only one other missile launchers aboard; even Harpoon is VLS on this hull [ed: VLS
Harpoon was live-fire tested]. The ship's combat system supports the Standard missile, but cannot illuminate
beyond MR range. ER missiles are theoretically supported with CEC, but they are generally not carried. Below
the VLS is a medium-sized fuel tank used in part for pitch control, a Caterpillar C32 900kW emergency diesel
generator, and a Thrustmaster TH1000MLR retractable electric azimuth thruster (800kW).

Next we find the "real" gun aboard: the twin 155mm VGAS (Vertical Gun for Advanced Ships). VGAS keeps
the heavy parts of the gun low in the ship, and it minimizes blast concerns, but (of course) it cannot be trained
and aimed. It is thus limited to firing guided projectiles. Surprisingly, giving up aiming reduces range only
slightly; the ideal elevation for this rocket-assisted ammunition is in excess of eighty degrees. The overriding
concern for this ammunition is to get out of the thick, draggy lower atmosphere.

Atop the VGAS is a bolt-on/crane-off structure for deck gear, roughly akin to a pair of 20ft shipping containers
(although much sleeker). This deckhouse contains firefighting equipment, safety gear, and all of the other deck
gear necessary for operating a ship from day to day.

Aft of the VGAS compartment is the second cofferdam.

(4)

The next compartment is, by a wide margin, the most complicated and expensive. Down at the third platform,
an auxiliary machine room provides all of the chilled water the crew and equipment could desire; the Towers
class is as nearly as possible fully water-chilled to reduce the infrared signature of hot-air plumes, and operations
in the Gulf have demonstrated the utility of excess AC capacity for both crew comfort and electronics uptime.

There is some concern that these units may suffer from excessive steady roll from windage; space and volume
is reserved for fin stabilizers for later units at the third platform in this compartment if the roll is intolerable.
The CIC is on the first platform, insulated from fore-to-aft foot traffic. At the 03 level we find the pilothouse,
chart room, and CO's sea cabin.

At 04, we find more concession to cost. On a new DDG or CG you would likely find flush-mount ESM/ECM
arrays, active-array SPY-1, and more. The Towers are more modest. ECM is the same familiar SLQ-32(V)5,
here enclosed in radar-transparent composite boxes. The inherit boxiness and radar signature of SLQ-32 is
accepted, with some attention from radar-absorbing materials. The enclosure merely exists to prevent corner
reflectors from the structure above the SLQ-32.

The radar at this level is not the 12ft array of SPY-1, but an enlarged version of APG-77, the X-band search
and fire control radar of the F-22. The F-22 array is around 3ft in diameter; the arrays on a Towers are 4.5ft
high and 3.5ft wide, angled at 60deg to the ship centerline. This radar is used for fire control, target illumination,
AA gunfire support, rapid-refresh horizon surveillance, and heightfinding.

Somewhat paradoxically, these highly advanced radars actually reduce the required processing power
of the combat system. X-band is much inferior to S-band for volume search. As such, the APG-77 arrays
fail to see many of the real (and many spurious) contacts that SPY-1 might detect. "Real" targets will be
detected by other sensors, and APG-77 mostly tracks queued targets. The Towers thus possess a highly
effective local-defense combat system, but they are not area-defense workhorses like an Aegis destroyer
or cruiser. Sponsoned off of the front of this level of the deckhouse is are domed SATCOM antennas supporting
WSC-3 (UHF Follow On (UFO) constellation and future Mobile User Objective System (MUOS) constellation, to
port) and USC-38(V)2 (MILSTAR EHF constellation, starboard of the centerline)

05 features 4ft WSC-6(V)X SATCOM antennas on each beam, supporting the DSCS and future Wideband
Global SATCOM SHF constellations. Forward of these is a SPS-64(V)9 X-band navigation radar. Above these
towers an enclosed sensor/mast structure resembling the one tested on Radford in the late 1990s in the
AEM/S program. This composite structure is transparent to RF energy at UHF frequencies and lower, and
opaque (reflective) to higher frequencies.

The lowest level of the mast contains air ducts that serve a fan room on the 04 level. Above this is an
enclosure for the venerable SPS-49, the primary air search sensor aboard. The mast is lowered onto the
ship after SPS-49 is installed. The mast is sized to support either the standard parabolic antenna or the
planar array tested on Leyte Gulf in the 1990s, which (if purchased) will offer intrinsic L-band heightfinding.
This installation has the virtue of preserving some manner of frequency diversity within task groups; an
arbitrarily powerful S-band jammer could render a dozen Burkes valueless. Inclusion of L-band equipment
forces the adversary to jam search radars in multiple bands.

(5)

Above SPS-49, the corners of the mast are separated off from each other (and from SPS-49) by
RF-opaque bulkheads. Forward-port and rear-starboard are AS-3506/SRD-19 arrays for Classic Outboard,
for communications-band direction-finding and intelligence collection. Forward-starboard and rear-port
are the familiar "lampshade" arrays for Link 16 and Cooperative Engagement Capability. The RF-opaque
bulkheads prevent these various arrays from interfering with each other. This arrangement explains the
somewhat ungainly rectangular AEM/S compared to the testbed on Radford.

At the tips of the rough diamond formed by the interior bulkheads are navigation lights, a laser warner, a
COTS-derived digital video camera providing situational awareness (the first units went to sea with the
Canon XL1, known to the public as the video camera flown aboard the Space Shuttle), and SLQ-XX,
presented at Navy League 1995 as the "LAMPS III Block II interferometer array".

The topmost enclosed level of the AEM/S contains SPS-77, the US version of the Saab Sea Giraffe AMB
C-band 3D multifunction radar. This offers surface search and supplemental air search capability.
Note that only the low-elevation (0-8deg) and medium-elevation (0-25deg) modes are supported,
because higher beams would strike the ceiling of the AEN/S. This represents another concession to cost;
Towers-class destroyers rely on mod-APG-77 for zenith search at high elevations. SPS-77 offers sufficient
precision that it will be able to directly designate targets to the eventual Block II (active-seeker) ESSM.
C-band search also offers further frequency diversity, although SPS-77 is insufficient to wholly cover
a task group.

On the roof of the AEM/S, the Towers class mounts the primary antenna for the ARQ-59 Hawklink data
link. Sponsoned forward is a SPS-55 X-band surface search antenna (contained, in this installation, within
a low-observable angled cover). Aft is another SPS-64(V)9, and to either side are sponsons for anti-collision
lights, weather sensors, and flag lines. Above the Hawklink antenna is another higher mast. Sponsoned
forward from this mast is a SAY-1 TISS thermal imager, camera, and laser rangefinder. Above the TISS
is a multifunction VHF/UHF communications mast identical to the one tested on Radford. This is
surmounted with TACAN.

(6)

The next compartment aft is the #1 main machinery room. This represents another innovation on
the Towers class. Many COEA proposals featured fully-integrated electric propulsion, so that the fewest
possible prime movers could operate at once. At a bare minimum, an underway Burke (or any other
US gas turbine ship) must turn two turbines: one power turbine and one ship-service gas turbine
generator. Even this most efficient mode requires the ship to trail a shaft.

The Towers do not feature full IEP, but they derive many of the benefits with a partial COGLAG
arrangement. Each MMR contains two LM2500 (25,000shp, 18.6MW) feeding into the main reduction
gear, just like a Burke. However, the gearbox is also directly connected to a 6MW motor/generator
operating on ship voltage and frequency. The final powerplant component in each MMR is a 3MW
AG9140 SSGTG. The MMRs also contain fan rooms that serve the internal spaces, plumbed off of
the main gas turbine intakes (unfortunately, the shape of these intakes requires some internal
disassembly to access the main gas turbines through their bolted removal plates on 02 level).

This arrangement provides unmatched operational flexibility.
Gas turbines can be mixed and matched to operate at many plant power levels while running all
turbines at maximum power. Roughly speaking, such available power levels (combined hotel and
propulsion) are 3N+18.6M MW, N=0..2 and M=0..4, a total of 15 combinations spanning 3MW to
80.4MW. Total electrical generation capacity is 18MW, which may support future directed energy
weapons.

In other words, at lowest duty (at anchor, or transiting harbor), a Towers can operate on one or two
SSGTGs (or, for that matter, a C32 diesel generator), operating at peak power and efficiency.
Underway, a Towers can operate on both SSGTGs, or a single LM2500 providing power to both
shafts and to the ship's hotel loads. At medium power, with both shafts powered directly by lit
LM2500s, the SSGTGs are often redundant, and can be left cold or available for maintenance.

MMR1 serves the port shaft and exhausts out of a port-side uptake with a AS-5085 HF receive
antenna bracketed off of the front (this also holds the ship's bell). To starboard on the weather
deck, another AS-5085 transmits in HF, and an INMARSAT antenna is provided. Three Mark 7
25-man liferafts make up the starboard bulwark aft of the bridge wing (the liferaft outfit supports
a potential complement of 325 crew, although of this, a substantial reserve is maintained for an
aviation detachment, special forces, and/or VBSS). On the main deck is the ship's boat bay, with
an overhead crane and two Sea Force 900 RIBs. A cable slipway from the boat bay leads up to the
forward weather deck, for transfer of a sea painter outside the shell of the ship. The boat bay is
protected from RF intrusion by an arrangement of rod-stiffened fine-gauge chain that opens aft
for boat deployment. The life rafts are covered by similar chain.

(7)

Aft of MMR1, a short compartment contains one of the primary fuel tanks (located centrally to
minimize pitching). The main deck to port contains a Sea Force 490 RIB as the abandon-ship
boat. At 02 are four Mark 7 liferafts and four SRBOC decoy launchers. Between the SRBOC
launchers is a third SATCOM antenna for WSC-6(V)X, which covers the zenith over the ship.

Further aft is MMR2, serving the starboard shaft. This compartment is identical to MMR1 except
that the large boat bay is replaced by a narrower bay for UNREP, similarly shielded, with the
balance of the compartment volume above the main deck made up of interior spaces. On the
weather deck are three Mark 7 and an enclosure for an 8-cell Mark 41 SDLS module, the first
VLS of this length in the US Navy. This launcher is exclusively for self-defense: Nulka, RAM,
and ESSM. On the MMR2 funnel is mounted an AS-1016 VHF antenna for ground force support.
Sponsoned off of the starboard side of the MMR2 compartment is another UHF SATCOM antenna.

Aft of MMR2 are two compartments that make up an auxiliary machinery room and an aft fuel
tank, both surmounted by the hangar. The Towers-class hangar is offset to port, with a clear
working area 48ft long, 40ft wide, and 20ft high. This suffices for two H-60-size helos, which
are served with a RAST recovery system on the flight deck. To starboard is a second UNREP
bay. At the forward end of these two compartments, four twin Mark 32 SVTT deploy Mk 50
torpedoes to port and starboard. These launchers also deploy a modified version of the
SLQ-49 "rubber duck" inflatable radar decoy. On the weather deck, there are three Mark 7
each to port and starboard.

On the aft end of this compartment is an additional deckhouse that mounts a second Mk 110
57mm gun. Atop this deckhouse is a third mod-APG-77, typically trained aft. However, this
radar is able to rotate through 360deg in the event that the systems in the AEM/S are rendered
inoperable by damage (this rotation is limited to +-180deg, not continuous). Atop this radar
is an AS-3512 VHF/UHF antenna for backup communications, as well as an omnidirectional
UHF SATCOM antenna. In concert with the SDLS VLS, the Towers can maintain a credible
AAW self-defense capability even if everything forward of MMR2 is non-functional, although
instantaneous search/track/target would be limited to a single 120deg sector. To starboard
of the deckhouse is a second Hawklink antenna to cover blind arcs. Sponsoned off of the back
of the hangar is the third WSC-3 UHF SATCOM antenna. On either beam are antennas for
USC-38(V)2 SATCOM.

(8)

The flight deck of the Towers class is large and strong enough to support every helicopter in
the US military except for the H-53E family, including the H-47 and V-22 families (although
these cannot be hangared). On the outside of the flight deck (and proceeding some distance
forward) are eight SRD-17 HF antennas on each beam, for skywave HF DF and single-station
location. Eight more SRD-17 antennas are arrayed across the stern. On the first platform is
a second C32 900kW diesel generator, exhausting through the starboard side of the hull just
below the waterline.

Below the waves, the Towers use a skeg hullform aft. This hullform allows the stern to
narrow as little as possible while maintaining good hydrodynamics. This allows the aft
location of the SRD-17 antennas with minimum computational expense. It also facilitates
easy docking. The screws are controllable and reversible, identical to those fitted to the
Burkes. Advanced pumpjet propulsors were investigated, but the low noise (for ASW) and
low-speed efficiency won the argument for this class.

Right aft, twin rudders provide directional control. The first platform contains line-handling
stations on either beam. At the fantail, SLQ-25 Nixie torpedo decoys deploy (to port)
and an SRQ-19 passive towed array is fitted (to starboard). Attempts were made to provide
weight and volume to fit a VDS if desired in the future.

(9)

The future of the Towers class is somewhat less certain than their scale and number might
imply. Though they retain weight and stability margins characteristic of the Spruances that
they replace, it remains to be seen how the increasingly integrated combat system and
even topside arrangement will be upgradable in service.

Though some suspect a cheeky character in NAVSEA used the class name to offer
commentary on the substantial AEM/S structure atop the pilothouse, the lead ship is named
after US Navy Admiral John Henry Towers (1885-1955), an early naval aviation pioneer (NC-3
crew member) and eventual DCINCPAC in the Second World War and CINCPAC immediately
post-war.

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Sorry for the novella. That was about as short as I could get it!

This was very fun. I'm glad to have had a chance to participate (work has been pretty crazy).

For those who didn't recognize it, this is sort of an outgrowth of COEA "Maritime Combatant"
(study 3C1).
I didn't want to just draw that, so I had to make some further design
decisions and priorities to take it in my own direction :) I don't think all of those decisions are
necessary fantastic, but overall I'm happy with how it came out.

Aegis'd DDG version to come, once the challenge and judging are over :D


Last edited by erik_t on May 8th, 2020, 11:49 pm, edited 19 times in total.

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Corp
Post subject: Re: Post-Cold War Large Surface Combatant ChallengePosted: April 24th, 2020, 8:16 pm
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Joined: November 14th, 2014, 4:13 am
Well that's a tough act to follow for when I decided to stop lurking and finally do one of the contests. I was drawing LSES (A wonderful US Proposal for a Surface Effect Ship LHA) when this got announced and decided to take a break from trying to decipher poorly scanned pdf pages of deck layouts to draw something else for awhile. I considered entering a Kaiju Hunting Vessel from my "Endless Seas" AU (For which I eventually plan to make a thread) into the contest but I felt that while they carry combat systems comparable to light cruisers and "fight with their own weapons", Kaijuers are technically noncombatants and would thus be disqualified. Instead I decided that this would be a perfect chance to draw a US surface combatant for the AU as I'd been meaning to do that for awhile. Because the words "reasonable" and "practical" do not exist in the "Endless Sea" AU's dictionary I decided to make it a nuclear powered surface effect ship. I started with the LSES proposal I was drawing, cut her down a bit then swapped her gas turbines and diesels for two LWNP derived reactors and electric motors like the SECN proposal used. Combat systems ripped from Burke/Tico but also threw in the never-built planar SPS-49 for the search radar. Biggest difference weapons wise between her and Burke/Tico is that she carries a couple extra AU-Specific missiles in her VLS (Namely Sea Lance and a mini-ERCS) and lacks Torpedoes and Sonar. 65 knot cruise means you don't really need to care about subs although she does have Helicopters if she really has to hunt subs. Stated Tonnage is probably a tad bit off but I wanted to make an over 9000 joke because I refuse to take anything too seriously. (Back of the envelope math I did put it roughly in that ballpark and that was before I cut the VLS I had on each side amidships)

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Last edited by Corp on May 7th, 2020, 11:17 pm, edited 1 time in total.

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