daring dude
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Battleship 2016 (Future Fleet Project) - Fan Art - World of Warships official forum
Thus far I have introduced frigates for anti-submarine, destroyers to provide anti-air, and even cruisers for anti-surface warfare. That would generally be enough to equip most navies. However, what if a navy needs to bring in some heavy firepower? What if they need to make a statement? What if taking out land targets is not enough and one would want to simply level the whole damn area? Well, I gave thought to the matter and decided to design a ship to perform all of those things. And what ship would perform those roles as well as a Battleship?
So, for my fourth design, I'm bringing in the big guns and debuting a modern battleship ready to take command of the seas. So without further delay, let me introduce my newest topic:
FUTURE FLEET PROJECT: THE BATTLESHIP
What we Have now: (Or more appropriately what we had)
Iowa Class
The only thing close to a modern battleship were the four ships of the Iowa class. Having served into the early 1990s, the Iowa class ships operated for a long time. Perhaps even more remarkable was that they served as well as they did despite the changing technology of the times. Attempts were made to modernized the ships to bring them up to spec, but such efforts can only continue for so long.
Despite their age and technological issues, the Iowa class enjoyed one of the best, if not the best, service lives among battleships. Beyond the anti-surface role, they proved themselves while escorting carriers using their immense firepower. They used their heavy cannons to provide unparalleled firepower when striking land targets. Indeed, during World War II, Japanese civilians reported that shelling by battleships was more terrifying that air attack due to the lack of warning and the unrelenting destruction that followed. This trend continued during the wars in Korea, Vietnam, and even Iraq. Where ever the battleships sailed, they effectively controlled the surrounding area. Their big guns could be called in at a moments notice and their ability to cause destruction was enjoyed by allies and feared by enemies. In Iraq, the threat of heavy firepower caused Iraqi soldiers to immediately throw down their arms and surrender when they heard the targeting drone overhead.
Despite this enormous potential, the Iowa class battleships were retired in the 1990s. IN regards to future needs for firepower, the Navy had two ships maintained in case they needed to be reactivated. However, in 2006, the last battleship was finally removed from this agreement and the Navy found itself without a battleship.
What the Problem is
The retirement of the Iowas and the aftermath is what is puzzling. Despite the excellent performance of these ships and the vital role they provided throughout their service lives, nothing rose up to take their place in the naval gunfire role. Despite the many calls for improvements to gunfire support, arguments from opposing factions generally over rid any attempts. The carrier crowd claimed aircraft can fulfill the role better, the air force claimed that friendly nations would allow aircraft to operate on their turf, eliminating the need for naval support, even the navy believed that naval gunfire was unneeded for landings when the trend went to long range, high speed landings. This would eliminate the need for gunfire support as units would launch outside the range of enemy fire.
(Such a thought led to the mess pictured above)
However, improvements made to anti-ship missiles and cannons increased the engagement range and made it impossible for forces to launch outside of them. Once again, we find ourselves at that point where we have to engage in a slug fest with the enemy to effectively land units. Outside of landings, the need for effective on-call firepower remains as important as ever and current methods won't cut it. Several attempts have been made to try and fix this problem including more heavily armed destroyers.
(Good Idea, but not further pursued)
(Good Idea, wrong direction entirely)
While the idea of increasing firepower is a step in the right direction, the concept of using current ships is wrong. Current ships like the Zumwalt design are hampered by the fact that they are designed to perform too many roles. The navy appears to have forgotten the phrase "Jack of all trades, master of none." What is needed for the future is a warship that is designed from the keep up to provide heavy firepower. Everything else is second tier. What the navy needs is a heavily armed and armored warship. Something that can take punishment and dish it out ten-fold. Rather than an elegant boxer with a glass jaw, a bruiser who loves a good slug-fest is needed. Such a ship might be bloodied in such a fight, but the opponents can't take solace in that fact because they will in all likely hood be annihilated.
(A ship that can sail through here, slinging shells with one hand while also flipping off the people on shore with the other)
Simply put, the need is for a warship that exists only for one purpose: to rain destruction down upon people in similar to that of Mel Gibson on his wife.
What I did to create such a ship
I started by designing a new battleship from the ground up that would function in the modern world and for a considerable period in the future. I utilized all of the features of the best battleships and took lessons from the Iowa class as they were perhaps the greatest battleships service-wise.
Starting with the hull, I took the Iowa class hull and modified it, essentially turning it into a new design. Length, draft, and beam are all similar, but the width of the hull has been extended forward, eliminating the poor hull volume of the Iowa class. This feature would also serve to increase sea-worthiness as well as increase survivablilty due to more buoyancy. From this hull, I added a large superstructure. While I strove to keep the ship stealthier, I took care not to impact the performance in any way. Stealthiness takes second stage to firepower. The large superstructure is designed to accommodate the latest in radar systems. Not only the latest, but also carry multiple systems of varying types. This will ensure that the ship can easily track any target. The superstructure was also enlarged in order to allow the ship to carry a large command center. This will enable the ship to function as an effective flagship for fleets and as a command ship for landing operations.
Firepower
12"/55 Mark 9
Main firepower is provided by six 12"/55 cannons in two three-gun turrets. This Mark 9 model is a complete overhaul of the older 12"/50 found on the Alaska class. Improvements include longer barrel for improved velocity as well as a barrel lining in improve barrel life. Shell loading and handling is completely automated, bringing the rate of fire up to 5-6 shots per minute per barrel.
In addition, the shells will also be of a newer generation in order to take advantage of all current technology. This will include improved Armor piercing and high explosive shells. Extended range shells will also be included.
The option to take the 12" cannon over the previous 16" guns of the Iowa class was a subject of intense research. Though lacking in overall power, the 12" guns allow for a faster rate of fire and are cheaper to operate. They also are more easily converted to automated handling systems than the larger, bulkier 16" guns. Simply put, the 12" guns do 90% of what the 16" guns do for 60% of the price and effort.
Mark 57 PVLS
A healthy compliment of missile tubes are also carried on this warship. 192 cells to be exact. Though they can carry a variety of missiles, the most common will likely be the tomahawk cruise missile to compliment the cannons in the shore bombardment role. The tubes will also carry a number of anti-air missiles for protection. These will include the long range RIM-174 ERAM and the short range RIM-162 ESSM. Four RIM-161 ESSM missiles can be loaded into each cell, bringing the battleships total missile capacity up to a potential 768 missiles.
OTO Melara 76mm Super Rapid Cannon
The secondary Battery is made up up eight OTO Melara 76mm Rapid fire guns. These guns can fire at a rate of 120 rounds per minute per gun, engaging both air and surface targets. The larger round allows for an increased engagement range over current CIWs weaponry. When not in use, these weapons can be retracted into the hull to increase the overall stealthiness of the warship.
RIM-116 Launchers
Additional close range missile protection is provided by four RIM-116 launchers. These launchers are positioned at all sides of the ship, providing excellent all around firepower. The launcher can engage a variety of incoming anti-ship missiles out to 5.6 mi using its rolling airframe missiles.The system has thus far proven to be extremely effective in its intended role. Like the cannons, the RIM-116 launchers are retracted into the ship when not in use.
Thus far I have introduced frigates for anti-submarine, destroyers to provide anti-air, and even cruisers for anti-surface warfare. That would generally be enough to equip most navies. However, what if a navy needs to bring in some heavy firepower? What if they need to make a statement? What if taking out land targets is not enough and one would want to simply level the whole damn area? Well, I gave thought to the matter and decided to design a ship to perform all of those things. And what ship would perform those roles as well as a Battleship?
So, for my fourth design, I'm bringing in the big guns and debuting a modern battleship ready to take command of the seas. So without further delay, let me introduce my newest topic:
FUTURE FLEET PROJECT: THE BATTLESHIP
What we Have now: (Or more appropriately what we had)
Iowa Class
The only thing close to a modern battleship were the four ships of the Iowa class. Having served into the early 1990s, the Iowa class ships operated for a long time. Perhaps even more remarkable was that they served as well as they did despite the changing technology of the times. Attempts were made to modernized the ships to bring them up to spec, but such efforts can only continue for so long.
Despite their age and technological issues, the Iowa class enjoyed one of the best, if not the best, service lives among battleships. Beyond the anti-surface role, they proved themselves while escorting carriers using their immense firepower. They used their heavy cannons to provide unparalleled firepower when striking land targets. Indeed, during World War II, Japanese civilians reported that shelling by battleships was more terrifying that air attack due to the lack of warning and the unrelenting destruction that followed. This trend continued during the wars in Korea, Vietnam, and even Iraq. Where ever the battleships sailed, they effectively controlled the surrounding area. Their big guns could be called in at a moments notice and their ability to cause destruction was enjoyed by allies and feared by enemies. In Iraq, the threat of heavy firepower caused Iraqi soldiers to immediately throw down their arms and surrender when they heard the targeting drone overhead.
Despite this enormous potential, the Iowa class battleships were retired in the 1990s. IN regards to future needs for firepower, the Navy had two ships maintained in case they needed to be reactivated. However, in 2006, the last battleship was finally removed from this agreement and the Navy found itself without a battleship.
What the Problem is
The retirement of the Iowas and the aftermath is what is puzzling. Despite the excellent performance of these ships and the vital role they provided throughout their service lives, nothing rose up to take their place in the naval gunfire role. Despite the many calls for improvements to gunfire support, arguments from opposing factions generally over rid any attempts. The carrier crowd claimed aircraft can fulfill the role better, the air force claimed that friendly nations would allow aircraft to operate on their turf, eliminating the need for naval support, even the navy believed that naval gunfire was unneeded for landings when the trend went to long range, high speed landings. This would eliminate the need for gunfire support as units would launch outside the range of enemy fire.
(Such a thought led to the mess pictured above)
However, improvements made to anti-ship missiles and cannons increased the engagement range and made it impossible for forces to launch outside of them. Once again, we find ourselves at that point where we have to engage in a slug fest with the enemy to effectively land units. Outside of landings, the need for effective on-call firepower remains as important as ever and current methods won't cut it. Several attempts have been made to try and fix this problem including more heavily armed destroyers.
(Good Idea, but not further pursued)
(Good Idea, wrong direction entirely)
While the idea of increasing firepower is a step in the right direction, the concept of using current ships is wrong. Current ships like the Zumwalt design are hampered by the fact that they are designed to perform too many roles. The navy appears to have forgotten the phrase "Jack of all trades, master of none." What is needed for the future is a warship that is designed from the keep up to provide heavy firepower. Everything else is second tier. What the navy needs is a heavily armed and armored warship. Something that can take punishment and dish it out ten-fold. Rather than an elegant boxer with a glass jaw, a bruiser who loves a good slug-fest is needed. Such a ship might be bloodied in such a fight, but the opponents can't take solace in that fact because they will in all likely hood be annihilated.
(A ship that can sail through here, slinging shells with one hand while also flipping off the people on shore with the other)
Simply put, the need is for a warship that exists only for one purpose: to rain destruction down upon people in similar to that of Mel Gibson on his wife.
What I did to create such a ship
I started by designing a new battleship from the ground up that would function in the modern world and for a considerable period in the future. I utilized all of the features of the best battleships and took lessons from the Iowa class as they were perhaps the greatest battleships service-wise.
Starting with the hull, I took the Iowa class hull and modified it, essentially turning it into a new design. Length, draft, and beam are all similar, but the width of the hull has been extended forward, eliminating the poor hull volume of the Iowa class. This feature would also serve to increase sea-worthiness as well as increase survivablilty due to more buoyancy. From this hull, I added a large superstructure. While I strove to keep the ship stealthier, I took care not to impact the performance in any way. Stealthiness takes second stage to firepower. The large superstructure is designed to accommodate the latest in radar systems. Not only the latest, but also carry multiple systems of varying types. This will ensure that the ship can easily track any target. The superstructure was also enlarged in order to allow the ship to carry a large command center. This will enable the ship to function as an effective flagship for fleets and as a command ship for landing operations.
Firepower
12"/55 Mark 9
Main firepower is provided by six 12"/55 cannons in two three-gun turrets. This Mark 9 model is a complete overhaul of the older 12"/50 found on the Alaska class. Improvements include longer barrel for improved velocity as well as a barrel lining in improve barrel life. Shell loading and handling is completely automated, bringing the rate of fire up to 5-6 shots per minute per barrel.
In addition, the shells will also be of a newer generation in order to take advantage of all current technology. This will include improved Armor piercing and high explosive shells. Extended range shells will also be included.
The option to take the 12" cannon over the previous 16" guns of the Iowa class was a subject of intense research. Though lacking in overall power, the 12" guns allow for a faster rate of fire and are cheaper to operate. They also are more easily converted to automated handling systems than the larger, bulkier 16" guns. Simply put, the 12" guns do 90% of what the 16" guns do for 60% of the price and effort.
Mark 57 PVLS
A healthy compliment of missile tubes are also carried on this warship. 192 cells to be exact. Though they can carry a variety of missiles, the most common will likely be the tomahawk cruise missile to compliment the cannons in the shore bombardment role. The tubes will also carry a number of anti-air missiles for protection. These will include the long range RIM-174 ERAM and the short range RIM-162 ESSM. Four RIM-161 ESSM missiles can be loaded into each cell, bringing the battleships total missile capacity up to a potential 768 missiles.
OTO Melara 76mm Super Rapid Cannon
The secondary Battery is made up up eight OTO Melara 76mm Rapid fire guns. These guns can fire at a rate of 120 rounds per minute per gun, engaging both air and surface targets. The larger round allows for an increased engagement range over current CIWs weaponry. When not in use, these weapons can be retracted into the hull to increase the overall stealthiness of the warship.
RIM-116 Launchers
Additional close range missile protection is provided by four RIM-116 launchers. These launchers are positioned at all sides of the ship, providing excellent all around firepower. The launcher can engage a variety of incoming anti-ship missiles out to 5.6 mi using its rolling airframe missiles.The system has thus far proven to be extremely effective in its intended role. Like the cannons, the RIM-116 launchers are retracted into the ship when not in use.
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