Maybe I am influenced by the look of the Zumwalt but I like to think that when they become operational it will be a new era in the history of naval warfare, like when ironclads were introduced. Rail guns and lasers to say the least!
US Navy DDG 1000 Zumwalt Class
- Thread starter Scratch
- Start date
Maybe I am influenced by the look of the Zumwalt but I like to think that when they become operational it will be a new era in the history of naval warfare, like when ironclads were introduced. Rail guns and lasers to say the least!
Jura The idiot
General
already now I'm looking forward to hear the results of their shake-down, as I've seen texts with several types of predictions related to the hull stability, from like "a revolutionary improvement" to "she might sink"
already now I'm looking forward to hear the results of their shake-down, as I've seen texts with several types of predictions related to the hull stability, from like "a revolutionary improvement" to "she might sink"
She's not going to sink.
Nothing even close, while operating her at sea in the conditions she is designed for.
Her Tumblehome hull form is not new. It was used in oared combat vessels, in sailing vessels, and particularly in battleships of the late 19th century (1880s on). The design itself has some positive points which include reducing the weight of the upper deck, actually making the making the vessels more seaworthy in many conditions and increasing their freeboard. It also has some drawback. In the past, if their water-tight integrity was breached and they took on large amounts of water (and weight) they could become dangerously unstable. Also, in sharp turns in high sea states, they could also become unstable. But today's technology makes it very possible to overcome these weaknesses, take advantage of the strengths...and particularly to help increase her stealth characteristics.
The US Navy built an operating scale model and tested it in detail for years before moving to the full design.
My guess is that she is going to do just fine in terms of handling.
Brumby
Major
If it is any consolation, this is a picture of the A yacht - a 390 ft luxury yacht built in 2008. She hasn't sunk yet. Lol.
We do not have to go back nearly as far.
The early Tumblehome battleships didn't sink either from handling.
The Russians lost ships to the Japanese due to taking on water from combat and the instability they experienced. But that was long ago and the water tight integrity, damage control, and capabilities of new technology make that very less likely with a US Navy combat ship.
Although, if you do enough damage to a ship...it will sink regardless of hull design.
But the US learned from those lessons.
Jura The idiot
General
of course not, what I tried to express in #282 was that
- I try to read all articles, including those I personally consider obnoxious (The Daily Beast in this case), and sometimes even the discussion under them
- I'm looking forward to the sea-trials of the Zumwalts
Jura The idiot
General
kwaigonegin
Colonel
That would be awesome if the 3rd Zumwalt has it! It would truly put the Zumwalt in a league of it's own with no peer.
The only down side is the darn thing is so costly they can only exist in extremely limited numbers but the early adoption of new technologies in the Zumwalts will hopefully pave way for eventual real economies of scale down the road.
I like to see 'frigate' size Zumwalts with 'smaller' rail guns sometime in the future.
Ultra
Junior Member
I think they should just revived the old Iowa-class battleship and put railguns on it. With 9 × 16-inch railguns it will literally blow all competition away!