The World of Warships Modern Battleship Design Commitee

[Jracule]

Many of you have no doubt seen the "Is the Battleship outdated" thread. I admit that I am of the belief that a Battleship might have a role in today's battlefields. So, based on opinions of WoWS forum members, we are going design a Modern Battleship.

 

Warship roles:

• to be able to provide shore bombardment. -- (Jracule, Jäger_Panther1)

• have the ability to protect itself and others. -- (Nixxie, Jracule)

• have the ability to engage in other roles (such as anti-piracy) -- (Zcr19)

• Hold a variety of weapons to accomplish these roles -- (Snakehead, mrasianman)

• Show the flag of a nation -- (Krieg)

• Operate as a command platform -- (Appollosnos)

• Limited ASW capabilities -- (Windhover)

• Ability to carry helicopters -- (Windhover)

Power plant - Nuclear

Speed - 30+ Knots (Will match carriers for speed)

Range - Unlimited

 

Armor: To be decided

 

Weaponry:

• 4x 16"/50 Mark 8 Naval Cannon (Barbettes and turret to be modular to allow for installation of newer weapons once introduced)

DESIGN: B-1

 

Current specs are as follows:

Waterline Length - 800ft

Beam - 290ft

Height - 187ft

Weight- To be determined

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

How This Thread Works

 

The first post will be used to show the design and specifications of our current battleship.

 

I will start a second post asking specific questions. For example: the first question is "What role will our warship have to serve in the Navy". Members will then contribute their thoughts and once we refine them, I will collect them and use them in the design.

 

Once the previous question is sufficiently answered, I will start off the next one. This will continue onwards until we have built ourselves a warship.

[Jracule]

FIRST QUESTION:

 

What role will our battleship serve in today's navy?

 

My thoughts:

A battleship will:

• provide shore bombardment

• serve as an escort to other vessels

• serve as a command vessel

Remember to take the questions one at a time. Lets not get ahead of ourselves.

Now, what thoughts do you all have? Come on gents, lets build us a battleship  :Smile_honoring:

[Krieg]

It would serve as a very large stick to threaten anyone who lives near a shoreline and want's to make trouble......

[nixxxie]

Only this bombardment is a valid purpose, but it's more like floating battery than BATTLEship. Escort is [edited] as it needs to be escorted, not the other way round, and there are better command vessels by design.

Large stick is not very reasonable due to international law.

 

Main purpose would be "really huge target".

 

 

I think it needs to be submersible.  :Smile_glasses:  :Smile_trollface:

[The_Lord_Chanka]

It could be used as an oversized missile launching platform that also happens to have some VERY big guns and a lot of smaller ones to keep other missiles away. But an aircraft carrier would be much, much more cost efficient than a battleship. Aircraft were proven to be the next phase in naval warfare during World War 2. No matter how many AA guns/missiles you have, the plane will always get through. And with the capabilities of today's planes, no battleship would be able to stand up to it.

[Jracule]

Do try and keep the topic on track gents. The point of this thread is to make it viable.

[zcr19]

Anti Piaracy would proably be where it it would be most effective, not for any reason other than intimidation I mean ya get a 5" shell fired accrost your bow your gona think twice but a 16" shell is going to capsize ya.

[NGTM_1R]

Jracule, on 21 January 2013 - 10:10 PM, said:

• serve as an escort to other vessels

Unless it's doing that by serving as a fire sink due to its large size, there's really no point to this. You've built a giant gun platform. It is inherently suited to being a giant gun platform. This conflicts with the requirements necessary to make a good escort vessel, and indeed a good command ship as well. Witness the problems the "old" US battleships had with their radios conking out on every main battery salvo during WW2; and the guns are going to be loud and impede a commander's ability to think, which is what they're paid for.

[Snakehead1234]

Yes but aircraft carriers...

1. are boring

2.don't look scary

3.don't interest me

 

   Battleships have prestige that no other type of ship has. If I ran a totalitarian government I would just build one giant 160,000 ton battleship with 4 quad turrets of 20 inch guns and a nuclear reactor to give her power. It would also have multiple anti ship cruise missiles and surface to air missiles to stop aircraft. I would have CIWIS 20mm for close quarters defense. The second battery would consist of 8 inch guns in duel turrets. I would also incorporate the best sonar and hydrophone capabilities with several anti submarine helicopters aboard. The main belt armor would be 25-30 inches thick with 20 inch deck armor on multiple levels. With vital areas magazines, control rooms, helicopter hangers ect. would receive additional armor. Max speed would be around 32  knots thanks to the nuclear reactor(s) and four, 4 bladed propellers. It would also have 2 large rudders and may or may not have bow thrusters depending on how that would effect the ship's vulnerability. The rudders should add better maneuverability. The ship would have an external look that matches the King George V. of WWII but would be have 4 quad turrets of course. The ship would reach over 1,000 feet and now that I think about it, the weight might exceed over 160,000 tons. ps. I would also join sides with the US so I would be unstoppable with their carriers,cruisers,and destroyers escorting me. So yeah that is my proposed design and I hope you enjoy.

[Appollosnos]

Im thinking Shore Bombardment role and like stated before an over sized missile platform and a command platform.

[Jracule]

NGTM_1R, on 21 January 2013 - 11:50 PM, said:

Unless it's doing that by serving as a fire sink due to its large size, there's really no point to this. You've built a giant gun platform. It is inherently suited to being a giant gun platform. This conflicts with the requirements necessary to make a good escort vessel, and indeed a good command ship as well. Witness the problems the "old" US battleships had with their radios conking out on every main battery salvo during WW2; and the guns are going to be loud and impede a commander's ability to think, which is what they're paid for.

My dear friend NGTM_1R, Let us use that brain for more than a place to hold your hat. The beauty of this exercise, is that you can construct a warship based on previous knowledge (Should you have any). However, you blather on assuming the ship to be large and have other problems without actually researching them nor producing sufficient thoughts on the matter.  Should you do this, you might find yourself capable of  fixing the very problems you first pointed out. If you cannot do this, might I suggest another thread?

Now, putting us back on topic. We established that our Warship needs:

• to be able to provide shore bombardment. -- (Jracule, Jäger_Panther1)
  
• have the ability to protect itself and others. -- (Nixxie, Jracule)
  
• have the ability to engage in other roles (such as anti-piracy) -- (Zcr19)
  
• Hold a variety of weapons to accomplish these roles -- (Snakehead, mrasianman)
  
• Show the flag of a nation -- (Krieg)
  
• Operate as a command platform -- (Appollosnos)

I realized the beauty of this scenario is that even with the more poorly thought up comments, we can still refine them just like they do with outlandish demands.  :Smile_great:
Keep the thoughts coming!

[Jager_Panther1]

They would be very practical for shore bombardment (as previously motioned) and for engaging lesser targets with its long range guns. Yes, missiles have a much greater accuracy, but on something, lets say a pirate etc..., they become very expensive.

[Windhover118]

As part of the escort role for carriers, the ship should be capable of atleast limited ASW duties. Be equiped with detection equipment and a helicopter capable of ASW. The Battleship will also have to be capable of effectivly engaging threats from the air as well as surface.

[Lemelisk1]

Yeah i think it would be best for shore bombardment and threatening pirates

 

i think one of the important roles could bee providing AA to defend/escort carriers

 

oh yeah and it has to have a swimming pool for the mad dictator that builds it! :Smile_trollface:  :Smile_trollface:  :Smile_trollface:  :Smile_trollface:

[Snakehead1234]

Lemelisk1, on 22 January 2013 - 01:22 AM, said:

Yeah i think it would be best for shore bombardment and threatening pirates

i think one of the important roles could bee providing AA to defend/escort carriers

oh yeah and it has to have a swimming pool for the mad dictator that builds it! :Smile_trollface:  :Smile_trollface:  :Smile_trollface:  :Smile_trollface:

I named my ship the "HMSAS. More Powerful Than Superman, Batman, Spider-Man, and the Incredible Hulk Put Together" and yes it has a very large indoor swimming pool :Smile_trollface: .

[Jracule]

Okay, Now we are getting somewhere!

 

Currently we have the following roles:

• to be able to provide shore bombardment. -- (Jracule, Jäger_Panther1)

• have the ability to protect itself and others. -- (Nixxie, Jracule)

• have the ability to engage in other roles (such as anti-piracy) -- (Zcr19)

• Hold a variety of weapons to accomplish these roles -- (Snakehead, mrasianman)

• Show the flag of a nation -- (Krieg)

• Operate as a command platform -- (Appollosnos)

• Limited ASW capabilities -- (Windhover)

• Ability to carry helicopters -- (Windhover)

[Jracule]

I would think we should want our warship capable of launching and recovering drones for gunnery spotting and recon. Anyone else agree?

[mrlazorz]

nixxxie, on 21 January 2013 - 10:36 PM, said:

Only this bombardment is a valid purpose, but it's more like floating battery than BATTLEship. Escort is [edited] as it needs to be escorted, not the other way round, and there are better command vessels by design.
Large stick is not very reasonable due to international law.

Main purpose would be "really huge target".


I think it needs to be submersible.  :Smile_glasses:  :Smile_trollface:

A submerging Battleship!

I'm all for it. Let's make this thing the very definition of OP!

[Spanisharmada]

I think the battle ship could be made into a landing vessel, with guns. You could clear out some space in the middle, for tanks/infantry to land, and then the BB could shoot troops attacking the troops landing

[Windhover118]

Jracule, on 22 January 2013 - 03:07 AM, said:

I would think we should want our warship capable of launching and recovering drones for gunnery spotting and recon. Anyone else agree?

During the gulf war the Iowa class was able to make effective use of small drones for spotting targets on shore.

Spanisharmada, on 22 January 2013 - 03:33 AM, said:

I think the battle ship could be made into a landing vessel, with guns. You could clear out some space in the middle, for tanks/infantry to land, and then the BB could shoot troops attacking the troops landing

I actually kind of like that idea. Design the ship so it can launch amphibious landing craft. This would make the BB an even more important component of an expeditionary force because they could carry troops and provide heavy fire support. My main concern is that such capability could detract from some other aspect of the ship.

[ForcestormX]

Shore bombardment and serving as an uprated AAA platform with armor, in contrast to Aegis cruisers which don't have much of that.

 

Basically, a steel wall with guns.

[El3m3nttt]

Windhover118, on 22 January 2013 - 03:35 AM, said:

I actually kind of like that idea. Design the ship so it can launch amphibious landing craft. This would make the BB an even more important component of an expeditionary force because they could carry troops and provide heavy fire support. My main concern is that such capability could detract from some other aspect of the ship.

You could extend the hull sides further and have special areas in the ship for said troop carrying duties, it would actually help against over-lengthening from bow to stern and keep the relative length short but effective and it could carry a few extra guns, or hold small amphibious  boats capable of holding MBT's or LT's and extra troops further adding uses of the once great Battleship and possibly revive it for a good role in the Navy.

Add better radar used for detecting anything via Air or Ground, Underwater and then add smaller batteries of 6 or 8" guns for further capabilities of bombardment ops, I think it could be a very good Bombardment and Defense duties.

[Jracule]

The idea of adding troop carrying capability into a battleship is pretty unique. However like Windhover said, it would probably detract from other aspects. Armor and overall structural strength being the big ones. It also might eat into the ammunition and fuel spaces.

 

Too expand the hull width like El3m3ntt said is possible, but the increased width would also require more power to propel the ship at speed.

 

Kinda like a "jack of all trades, master of none" scenario

[El3m3nttt]

Jracule, on 22 January 2013 - 04:51 AM, said:

The idea of adding troop carrying capability into a battleship is pretty unique. However like Windhover said, it would probably detract from other aspects. Armor and overall structural strength being the big ones. It also might eat into the ammunition and fuel spaces.

Too expand the hull width like El3m3ntt said is possible, but the increased width would also require more power to propel the ship at speed.

Kinda like a "jack of all trades, master of none" scenario

Add backup power systems or extra propellers(about 4 extra and armored we don't want something like the Bismarck's propeller damage and going in circles to happen) and make the hull streamlined for the extra width, could keep the speed up and add extra performance in speed and maneuverability.

I think the new age of Battleship will signify the Dual Age of Carrier and Battleships and revive the use of Battleships in the modern age, I think it would be possible to get a Battleship back in action with roles most ships can't do and only do 1 or 2 roles when Battleships could do about 4-6, the Battleships have many more duties it can perform compared to Cruisers and Destroyers and have much better amounts of weapons and still have the deadliness of them and more.

[Scryer117]

well, been like 2months since I was last logged into WoWs Forums.. Here's my take on a modern BB design for todays world conflicts

 

Primary Role:

-Shore & Inland Bombardment, (Inland Bombardment w/ a BB is way cost-effective that a CV whos expensive aircraft MIGHT get shot down considering today's targetting systems, &  is there anybody out there capable of knowing they are being lased for a bombardment strike?? Give them a choice b/w a 16in or 5in shell. :Smile_trollface: ).

-Fleet Defense, (Might work well as a CV escort aside from being a capable ship in its own right.Capable of handling Land, Air, & Sea threats.)

-Arsenal/Weapons Platform- (Aside from guns, 16in & 5in turrets( would love to see a modern 5in twin-gun turret as capable as those mounted on the Arleigh Burke Flight2).. Carrying weapons from CG,DD & CV-type ship all in 1 package.

-Frontline Command Ship, (The current command ships of the USN, namely from the Blue Ridge-class dont have much by way of weapons in protecting itself, has to be tucked away at a considerable distance to be safe.)

 

 

Secondary Role:

-As stated, Anti-Piracy, (Only a secondary role IMO, this job can be accomplished by frigates or patrol crafts. Why waste a BB's time in chasing down scumbag pirates.

-Mobile Presidential Bunker, (If all else fails, no better place than a ship w/ armor more than a foot thick to protect the president, & a ship capable of protecting itself, not to mention having a  battlegroup of its own, plus its MOBILE!!!! Think of it as a back-up to the Air Force One 747's. Call it "Navy One".

 

If I may, would like to have the ship look like the Montana-class, but instead of 4 3-gun 16in turret, make it 3. Have the aft superfiring turret changed into a VLS launcher w/ a helicopter pad & hangar forward of it(probably room for 2 seahawks & some UAV's, Pioneer & Firescout drones).

Probable Weapons:

-16in 50cal Mk7 Guns (3x3)

-5in 38cal Mk12 (6x2)

-BGM-109 Tomahawk (Numerous)

-RGM-84 Harpoon (Numerous)

-20mm Phalanx CIWS (6)

-Sea Sparrow (2) & RAM launchers (2)

-Mk48 ADCAP Torpedo launchers (2x3)

-Several small-caliber weapons dispersed around ship, like 25mm, 5.56cal or .50cal machineguns against close-in threats not handled by the other weapon systems. (Anti-Pirate boarding party shock prod)

 

 

almost forgot to mention, make it nuclear-powered. makes it more fuel-economical considering the price of oil these days,