What-If USN CGBL Design

[oldnavyguy]

I've been sniffing arround this forum for a bit throwing my 2 cents in. I have been contemplating this exact build but would make it a CGN. I like the CGN-42 project being discussed on another thread, but would prefer a cleaner slate to make something new.

The problem I see with the CGBL here is it is essentially an Arliegh Burke configured Ticonderoga. Other than possible RCS, and an all steel superstructure what new, or improved is it bringing? I agree with ex-navy in that understanding the ship's primary mission is first. I see 2 possible primary missions for this ship.
AAW Escort of CVN's.
The Centerpiece of a SAG

AAW Escort: Adding Nuclear powered escorts to a CVN battle group gives the carrier a much faster possible SOA and allows fewer supply ships to handle the needs of the group. I know one escort is insufficeint, but I just read that the USS Carl Vinson deployed with just 1 cruiser and 1 destroyer as her escort. There were 28 Ticonderoga Boats and I would prepose a 1 for 1 replacement. A CVN, 2 CGN's and 2 SSN's would make a very high speed, high endurance battle group.

Surface Action Group/ independant steaming: The Navy funds several nuclear prototypes used to train NNPS trainees before sending them to the fleet. This puts a large number of highly trained instructor operators ashore when they could be "earning their pay in a combat zone." (Sorry, flashback) If this function was transfered to a new class of large CGN the ships could support the ABM mission while training students and enjoying a lower op-tempo then most ships. When preparing to deploy, or during an emergency the crew could be filled out with reserves, and the ship deploy as part of a battle group, or as the centerpiece of a SAG.

I would have a minimum of 4 hulls, and better off 6. Instead of the normal'ish 18 month cycle the crew could enjoy say a 30 month cycle. When the ship leaves on its normal deployment with activated reservists filling out the company, and some sort of aviation, and SOC type unit embarked it could show the flag and exercize with our various nieghbors, and be on the scene at the outset of many of the smaller crisis that come up to evacuate embassies, or support a humanitarian mission. It could even function as a gateway force securing a key air field and denying it to an enemy long enough for air deliverd forces to arrive.

As we pass peak oil the Navy needs to start seriously looking at nuclear power. Nuke boats seem so expensive, but when you consider that all the fuel for 25+ years is paid for up front they are much more reasonable. I am contemplating what the above cruisers would look like. I don't much care about RCS as I believe it is over rated. I know some would argue otherwise, but it is my opinion. What weapons would you recommend for the SAG / training cruiser? What aviation capabilities? It would have to have some capabilities in all warfare areas but mostly AAW as the secondary mission is ABM. I like the look of the Arliegh Burkes but am not married to that design. Form must follow function.

I am contemplating a 1/350 build and followed, if successfull with a larger RC version. Need to finish the father son RC Fletcher I am working on now.

[navydavesof]

Fascinating! What kind of hull would you begin with? I believe a Tico widened to a Burke beam would be the basic.

[navydavesof]

The recent identification of the need of a new cruiser hull is most excellent. I don't see much reason to stray from the DDG-51 TOO much other than changing its dimensions. Seeing how the hull of the DDG-51 was originally designed upon was the Udaloy-class DD, the bow and the beam work out pretty well. A new CG based upon that should work well at 600' or 610'. That would produce a CG capable of performing AAW, local ASW, NSFS, and strike well.


600' Length
65' Beam
3x SPY-6arrays with Aegis
2x SPG-9B
2x Mk71 Mod2 8"60caliber guns (fwd and aft)
1x 76mmSR gun (aft of the CIWS mount)
160x Mk41 VLS (64 fwd and 96 aft)
4x Phalanx/SeaRam/CIWS
2x 21-cell RAM
4x 35mm Millennium Guns


I am torn about using my Kirov kit to represent this model or just wait until the Montana comes along...I might actually do both!

What do you guys think?

[navydavesof]

that would be a fat cruiser for it's length. the Des Moines class heavy cruiser was 76.33' wide to her length of 716.5'. that 120' beam is even wider then the rebuilt Tennessee, West Virginia & California which where 624' long & 114' wide.

Fat finger! I will correct it. I meant 65' beam, not the 120' of a Montana

Thanks for catching what I should have proof-read!