Took a little break from the Hermes for a bit, needed a design for a modern cruiser. But, I'm gonna need some help here, especially from you electronics whizzes.
The St Edward class cruisers are the newest cruisers in the fleet, the first pair being commissioned in 2007, with 2 more per year, the final pair set to commission this year. Following current RN doctrine, cruisers are primarily surface combatants, armed with SSM's and cruise missiles as their main armament. They are, in theory, supposed to work in tandem with the Fleet Aircraft Carriers as the main strike element of the navy. Their Anti-air missiles and CIWS are for ship defense only, as Destroyers and Frigates are tasked as the main AAW and ASW screening elements of the fleet.
I decided to try and place the VLS midships so as to increase the number available given there is more room there than in the bow and stern. Correspondingly, I moved the engine rooms further aft to accomodate this. I used an extended version of the new Chinese destroyers as the basis for the hull. I was looking for small, fast and sleek. Hopefully thats what comes from this.
Some concerns I have:
1.) Not sure if I have the Mk 48 ESSM VLS correctly placed.
2.)
(this one will sound stupid) Ummmm.... how many Mk 41 VLS cells do I have on there? For whaever reason, my brain went into blank mode trying to work that out.
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I think it is 64...... but I could be wrong. Very, very wrong.
3.) Unsure of which electronics to use for the most part, the best choices, and the placement of them. I don't want to just start plunking things on there willy-nilly and making a complete dogs dinner of it. I like to try and stick with UK-RN types for the most part, but if US, Dutch or other NATO would be a superior option, then thats what I would want to use.
4.) The class only carries a single helicopter, and then only for liason and/or recon purposes. ASW is not neccessary as that is the task of the Frigates. Is the hanger large enough for the one bird? I was thinking it was, but confirmation would be nice.
5.) Did I leave enough room midships to accomodate the VLS? Lengthening the hull if not wouldn't be a problem.
6.) Are there any glaring ommissions? Mistakes? Laughfest worthy goofs?
Comments and suggestions are very welcome on this as I want a good capable strike cruiser.
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