NationStates Jolt Archive

Just kidding. I want to see how many people post stupid replies here.

Anyways.

Menoth and I are starting a new aircraft project. This will be an airborne aircraft carrier, based on a dirigible design. It will launch fast, light, planes to defend itself and some normal strike planes to make assaults and raids.

Designs are welcome.

Requirements:
Carrier:
-Dirigible (helium, hydrogen, OR vacuum) with turbojet engines.
-Must be rather large
-Must be easily survivable
-Must be able to hold around 40+ planes and possibly 10-20 paratroopers
-Must be able to quickly launch at least 5 planes to defend itself

Light Fighters:
-Fast
-Cheap
-Machine guns and a few hardpoints for missles

All designs/ideas are welcome. Thank you.

[im bored...are u?]

im posting something stupid here, because i am stupid and worthless. I want to get shot. Today, i was asked this by the only female i could trust "Hey, Matt...y r u so ugly?" iv put up w/ this 4 a while now.

OOC:

Talk with me, TG.

Johnston Arms Corp.

While we haven't anything even resembling the construction you propose, the Varessan Military Research and Development Commission (VMRDC) has a reputation as being the best in the business when it comes to designing new weapons and/or vehicles for nations operating within the strictures of budgetary requirements, current or very near future technology, and the laws of physics. If you wish, we can develop the technology, and either provide you the specifications and design requirements, or attempt to build it ourselves.

Whether you accept or not, I will ask around VMRDC... I am curious as to whether this project is feasible or not...

COL. Blackman
SO3 VMRDC

Varessa:

If you make a design, then I will buy it from you. Post it here (with or without pictures) so I can see it.

Fascinating... A dirigible aircraft carrier concept similar to a modernized version of the old USS Macon designed by the US Navy in the early part of the twentieth century. I feel I should warn you that the concept of dirigible aircraft carriers was scrapped after the Macon was blown off course and destroyed in a storm. The survivability of such things is quite low.

JAC, Varessa, your both in future-time, right?

Kotterdam:

My opinion is, with a vacuum instead of hydrogen or helium (it would be MUCH more buoyant), I figure you could have a bit of armor on it, and it is an aircraft carrier so it is well defended against bombers and most rockets. Also, I intend to fly these high up in the atmosphere (sp), given their high buoyancy. This height will shield them from some threats (or alert them to the threats in time to evacuate/send out interceptors).

lighter than air craft, have to be lighter than air, hence how much tehy can carry is limited massivly. this means that they can't have heavy armor, can't have too many AA weapons, and their payload must be relativly light. As its been pointed out, such a weapon would be next to useless, save perhaps as an ultra high altitude servalence (yes I know I butchered the spelling) craft, and even that would be shot all to hell by high altitude interceptors. Now I don't konw what you mean by a Vacum drive, but I think you are SOL on this project. if you want to launch aircraft from the air, you would be best to go future tech, as that opens up space carriers, as well as airships. anywho, best of luck, and if you do decide to go future tech, the Takian Arms Company and Vectored Applications may be able to design what you need.

Hmm...

You bring up an interesting point. I think that I may go futuristic for this single purpose (well, and space, hovering stuff, etc.). What do you mean by a futuristic airship?

Now I don't konw what you mean by a Vacum drive
I don't mean a vacuum drive, but simply having the normally hydrogen filled area filled with...well, nothing. A vacuum, which is obviously lighter than air.

in future tech terms, and Airship is basicly a massive floating platform that uses gravitational drivers to keep it bouyed up, very nice, as you can fit any type of armor or weapon system on it. As for realistic. . . well in that department its not quite there. . . oh well, and as for a vaccum filled space. . . I don't think it would work, technicly, yes, it would be lighter than air, but it would have to have something to keep the vaccume in place as nature would seek to crush it down. . . hence why balloons don't fly away when they aren't filled. methinks your physics could use some work. . . no offence or anything. But if you are interested in an Airship as a flagship, we could hook you up for a nominal cost. I belive several of our lunar slips have open spaces, we could construct it there and fold it to you. .. t hough I warn you, not many people are going to let you use it in modern tech, and you won't be able to compete with just one future tech weapon with most space nations.

Hmm...

You bring up an interesting point. I think that I may go futuristic for this single purpose (well, and space, hovering stuff, etc.). What do you mean by a futuristic airship?

Now I don't konw what you mean by a Vacum drive
I don't mean a vacuum drive, but simply having the normally hydrogen filled area filled with...well, nothing. A vacuum, which is obviously lighter than air.

How about I go on war with u?

Kotterdam:

My opinion is, with a vacuum instead of hydrogen or helium (it would be MUCH more buoyant), I figure you could have a bit of armor on it, and it is an aircraft carrier so it is well defended against bombers and most rockets. Also, I intend to fly these high up in the atmosphere (sp), given their high buoyancy. This height will shield them from some threats (or alert them to the threats in time to evacuate/send out interceptors).

My suggestions: Forget the armour. Anyone who can take a shot at that thing and hit it will kill it. There's no way it can carry enough to protect it. Concentrate, rather, on countermeasures, weapons, and stealth. Now, I hear what you're saying: How do you make a bloody dirigable stealthy. The answer is that you don't. You make the gondola and landing bays stealthy and make the baloon of the dirigible transparent to radar.

How about I go on war with u?

easy there lad, thats my customer you are talking to, now if you want to go to war so baddly, you are welcom to pick a fight with me, my armed forces durring war times are about twice the size of your entire nation, and we've been growing militarily. so, be nice to the n00b please? least as long as he's buying from me *cause wouldn't you konw it, its damned expencive to keep a fleet of starships from falling apart, and lord knows I broke my budget with that last drunken buying binge*

as for the stealth Dirigible. . . thats one of the best ideas I've heard yet. . . you get a cookie.

Just kidding. I want to see how many people post stupid replies here.

Anyways.

Menoth and I are starting a new aircraft project. This will be an airborne aircraft carrier, based on a dirigible design. It will launch fast, light, planes to defend itself and some normal strike planes to make assaults and raids.

Designs are welcome.

Requirements:
Carrier:
-Dirigible (helium, hydrogen, OR vacuum) with turbojet engines.
-Must be rather large
-Must be easily survivable
-Must be able to hold around 400+ planes and 100 paratroopers
-Must be able to quickly launch at least 10 planes to defend itself

Light Fighters:
-Fast
-Cheap
-Machine guns and a few hardpoints for missles

All designs/ideas are welcome. Thank you.

How about we go to war?

[font=20]CAN YOU DIG IT, SUCKKKKAAAA?????[/FONT=20]

as for the stealth Dirigible. . . thats one of the best ideas I've heard yet. . . you get a cookie.

Why, thank you... *Munch* Now, as to the dirigible itself... You may wish to reconsider the requirement that it be able to carry four hundred fighters. The US Navy's Nimitz-class aircraft carrier only carries eighty five aircraft. That being said, we have an interesting situation here. How do you defend something that big in the air? Answer: The same way you do on the ocean. Fighters, missiles, and CIWS. This isn't finalized, but here's my suggestion:

Power Plant Four Turbojet-style Engines (To be determined later)
Length 332.85 meters
Speed 374 mph
Aircraft 65
Aircraft elevators Four
Catapults Four
Armament
4 AMRAAM launchers
4 Phalanx CIWS 20mm mounts
2 M102 105mm cannons
2 25mm GAU-12 Gatling guns
2 L60 40mm Bofors cannons
(All Retractable)
Electronics/Countermeasures
SPS-48E 3-D air search radar
SPS-49(V)5 2-D air search radar
Mk91 Fire Control
AN/AAQ-24 Directional Infrared Countermeasures (DIRCM)
AN/AAR-44 infrared warning receiver
AN/AAR-47 missile warning system
AN/ALE-47 flare and chaff dispensing system
AN/ALQ-172 Electronic Countermeasure System
AN/ALQ-196 Jammer
AN/ALR-69 radar warning receiver
AN/APR-46A panoramic RF receiver
QRC-84-02 infrared countermeasures system

Sixty-five isn't a lot compared to 400. It's not even a lot compared to eighty... But it's a lot compared to the ten or twenty of the USS Macon. This is something that's only been done before once, and that one time wasn't very practical to begin with. If you like my preliminary statistics, let me know and I'll firm them up. Now, between the low-observability gondola geometry, and the radar-transparent dirigible, radar won't get much of a bite off of this, and also I took the liberty of giving it a little air-to-surface punch. It's got the equivalent of two AC-130U Spookies built right in. Whatever you choose for a fighter, I'd suggest something multi-role, a fighter that performs as well Air-to-Air as it does Air-to-Ground. My design would have to use vaccum to keep it aloft. You've got to remember... This isn't a few tourists, or a family of four in a wicker basket we're lifting here. It's a bloody aircraft carrier, and possibly the largest (modern era) flying machine ever built. It's not something I'd use myself, but it's something I'd be proud to say I made.

How about we go to war?

CAN YOU DIG IT, SUCKKKKAAAA?????

Meddle not in the affairs of nations this much bigger than you for you are crunchy and taste good with ketchup... *Cough* ...Sucka.

How about we go to war?

CAN YOU DIG IT, SUCKKKKAAAA?????

Meddle not in the affairs of nations this much bigger than you for you are crunchy and taste good with ketchup... *Cough* ...Sucka.

HEY! You stop rippin' me off, Suckas! I 'll kick your asses fool!

http://firefly.sparse.org/~mrt/images/sucka.gif
Mr. T
Two Star General
Crimmond Assault Marines
Quote: "Mess with the Marines and you're goin' down, sucka!"

We are assembling a massive air fleet. Each one of our airships can satisfy your requirements.

We have War air cruisers Imperator Class (15 kilometers long, 12 millions tons., and a fire power enough to destroy a continent)

light air cruisers, Orialcon class, (10 kilometers, 8 millions of tons, and an arsenal of more than 300 nuclear balistic missiles)

We have more light and small airships, more accesible to other nations.
If some army is interested , we can be allies.

JAC, Varessa, your both in future-time, right?

Nope. Twenty-first century... the future is what we make of it. I design new weapons and equipment for other countries, while adherring to the laws of finance and physics.

Rest assured, if I hand you some specs, they are probably at least vaguely feasible...

AHEM!!!!!
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
:idea: Trojan Class Rigid Aircraft Carrier
http://www.hpphoto.com/servlet/LinkPhoto?GUID=2a2938da-7ae9-67eb-5c93-682e4f044db8&size=
The Trojan Class of Rigid Aircraft Carrier is a helium filled, rigid airship (not a blimp). The helium is contained in several self-sealing cells which are packed in a kevlar/polymer composite skin which is wrapped around a lightwieght titanium alloy skeleton. There are 2 turbofans which provide foward flight propulsion, one stationary gas turbine powered ducted fan to provide additonal power and to conserve fuel while cruising. The Trojan Class combines the capabilites of the KC-10 Tanker, the E-3 AWACS, and the US airborne aircraft carriers of World War 1. We have been able to hold 12 F/A-18 horents on bard and conduct the launching and recovery under many circumstances. A lightwieght magnetic catapault(powered by the solar panels or fuel cells) propeels the aircraft foward. Since during launch the air is passing over the wings of the aircraft to be launched at 300mph the catapault only acts as an ejector system to get the aircraft clear of the airship. The launching aircraft only needs to use 70% engine power to get clear of the airship's leading edge, and a blast deflector protects the planes left on the deck from being damaged. Landing is a bit tricky but it can be achived routinely with a little practice. The operation is much like in-flight refueling, the aircraft brings its self up to the back of the air ship and slowy accelrates/brakes until it is hovering over the landing area on the outer ramp. The arrestor hook(which has to be moved to the front) then captures a hook and the aircraft powers down, making contact with the deck. The hook winches the aircraft in further and the rear hatch is closed. There is a small sotrage area for 3-4 planes unde the main deck, the rest can be stored on top of the deck. There is enough room to re arm and refuel the aircraft for aother mission while they are all on deck. The pilots and crews can sleep, eat and relax in the comforts of the airliner style cabins and galley. Should a catostrophe occur the flight crew in the foward gondola would detach and it can hold 2 additonal passengers. As for the rest of the crew, a number of 2 man "escape pods" eject through the top of the airships skin and then parachute to saftey. These pods float and are protected from NBC attacks as well. These pods are used only if the aircraft can not be launched in time off the deck.(2 pods are downward firing in the plane storage area on the deck.) A massive radar is enclosed by the skin of the airship (the skin acts as a massive radome) It can track multiple airborne targets and act as athe control AWACS for a larger air force operation. If the radar detects incoming missiles, it carries a large variety and quantiy of counter measures to keep it protected from enemy fire. Should the skin of the airship be punctured, up to golf ball sized holes can be self-sealed. It can also also refuel bombers, fighters, or another Airship via its 2 hose and drouge systems and 1 flying boom system. Also all on board batteries and fuel-cell systems are supplemented by the solar panels which recharge all systems, in-flight, saving on fuel.
Specifications
Crew: 49 std 63max
[12 airship crew/weapons/AWACS operators, 1 boom operator, 12 pilots, 24 aircraft crew +provison for 14 more people ( if u want more crews for ure planes or are using 2 seat fighters)]
Length: many feet
Power Plant: (2) Turbofans (1) Gas Turbines powered ducted fan in tail
Range: 4,000 miles
Service Celing: 33,00 feet
Cruising Speed: 110mph (using one rear engine only)
Normal speedp 220mph
Maximum Speed: 300mph
Aircraft
(12) normal sized Fighters
or (14) A-4X sized aircraft.
Weapons
(2) AGM-65 Mavericks
(4) CIWS 30mm Phalanx turrets
(8} AIM-9Z Sidewinders(2 mounted on each CIWS)
(4) Patriot PAC-3 modified SAMs in (2) launchers
(12) AIM-120 AMRAAM or (4) Cruise missiles in foward ports
(6) AIM-54 Phoenix missle in (2) 360 degree turret mounts.
(2) ALMV/ASAT missiles
Counter Measures/Electronics
(320) RR-129A/AL Chaff Countermeasures
(210) JU-51/B Advanced Infrared Flare
(2) anti-IR missile laser pods
(2) AN/AAQ-24 DIRCM pods
(2) AN/ALQ-178 ECM pods
ALR-56C Radar Warning Receiver
Air Search Radome (Same as the one on the E-3)
Price
$1.1billion




Yeah btw that other one is way to big and a bit too fast, i dont think a dirgible which can carry 65 aircraft is EVER going to be able to fly at 374mph, at that speed it would simply tear apart, even it could actualy get up that fast in the first place.

My Airship, for what this one can do its quite cheap, your going to be looking at the HUNDREDS of BILLIONS for what you want. I could always custom build a slightly larger version of this trojan class , but what your talking about 400+ aircraft that kinda impossible/godmodding.




Also: I have had this one for a while..
:idea: Hyperion Class Rigid Airship
http://www.hpphoto.com/servlet/LinkPhoto?GUID=71b94c61-2186-5777-955c-394d1ed248a2&size=
The Hyperion Class of Rigid Airship is a helium filled, rigid airship (not a blimp). The helium is contained in several self-sealing cells which are packed in a kevlar/polymer composite skin which is wrapped around a lightwieght titanium alloy skeleton. There are 8 turboprops which provide foward flight propulsion, 5 gas turbines powering 4 rotating and one stationary ducted fan provide additonal power(one fan is located in the tail the other 4 help make speedy liftoffs with thurst vectoring).The Hyperion class combines the capabilites of the AC-130 Spectre gunship, the KC-10/KC-130 Tankers, the E-2C Hawkeye, the Graf Zepplins of WWI, the B-52 bomber, the A-10 and the 747-400 ABL aircraft. It carries an impressive amount of cannons and machine guns and can saturate and orbit an area for many hours laying down cover fire. It also carries a large array of anti-tank, anti- aircraft anti-ship or cruise missles and many types of bombs. It can hold 20 fully equipped paratroopers or spec ops in the cargo bay. In lieu of troops, the cargo bay can hold a MOAB or Daisy Cutter or Hades fuel-air bomb. A massive radar is enclosed by the skin of the airship (the skin acts as a massive radome) It can tract multiple airborne targets. If if it tracks an ICBM, SCUD, or cruise missile, it has the ability to destroy it with its airborne laser(ABL). The ABL can also be used for defense, to destroy SAMs or AAMs. (It carries a large variety and quantiy of counter measures to keep it protected from enemy fire. If a missile does get by all the complex systems, the airframe can take a heavy hit since it is heavily armored with boron carbide plates. and should the skin of the airship be punctured, up to golf ball sized holes can be self-sealed. It can also refuel helicopters, bombers, fighters, even another Airship via 2 house and drouge systems and 1 flying boom system. Also all on board batteries and fuel-cell systems are supplementd by solar panels which recharce all systems, in-flight, saving on fuel.
Specifications
Crew: 4 flight crew, 16 weapons/AWACS operators, 1 boom operator, up to 20 paratroops.
Length: many feet
Power Plant: (8} Turboprops (5) Gas Turbines in vectorable/rotating ducts.
Service Celing: 30,000 feet,
Cruising Speed: 280mph
Maximum Speed: 300mph
Weapons
(8} 56mm rapid fire Cannons in 4 turrets
(2) 105mm Howitzers in 2 turrets
(4) 30mm 3 barrel cannons in 2 turrets
(1) ABL/COIL High Energy Laser in turret
(7) CIWS 20mm Phalanx turrets
(2) Cruise missiles up to the size of a SS-N-22
(1) 40mm MK-109 Grenade machine gun in nose turret
(1) 25mm 3 Barrel Gatling Cannon in nose turret
(2) 25mm Bushmaster MGs in 1 rear turret
(4) bomb bays that can carry a number of laser guided bombs, JDAMs, nuclear bombs, air to ground missiles,anti-ship missiles, nuclear or conventional depth charges, phoenix or amraam anti-air missiles
(48} AIM-9Z Sidewinder in 2 turret launchers
(8} FIM-92 Stinger in 4 swivel mounts
(6) Tomahawk Cruise Missiles
(6) Patriot PAC-3 modified SAMs in 2 launchers
(12) AGM-65 Mavericks
(24) Rockeye cluster bombs or regular bombs of simialr size, or (8} JDAM sized bombs on wing bomb racks
(4) AIM-120 AMRAAM
(12) AIM-132 ASRAAM
(4) AIM-54 Phoenix missle on 360 degree turret mount.
(2) ALMV/ASAT missiles
Counter Measures/Electronics
300 RR-129A/AL Chaff Countermeasures
40 MJU-53/B Infrared Decoy Flare
106 MJU-51/B Advanced Infrared Flare
AN/AAQ-24 DIRCM pod
2 AN/ALQ-178 ECM pods
ALR-56C Radar Warning Receiver
Air Search Radome (Same as the one on the E-2C)
Price
$999.9million
Take a look, wile your making your designs, remember this thing is loaded to the max.

Sixty-five isn't a lot compared to 400. It's not even a lot compared to eighty...
I love those stats. Also, I meant to type 40+, not 400, which I just noticed. I'll go edit it now.

Phoenix:
I wanted designs, not an existing model, and 12 aircraft is not 40.

I happen to be working on a new larger series of airships, including a carrier version, anyway, hopefully with Raysia. I doubt 40+ could be met even with the massive design coming soon.....

Sixty-five isn't a lot compared to 400. It's not even a lot compared to eighty...
I love those stats. Also, I meant to type 40+, not 400, which I just noticed. I'll go edit it now.

Excellent. I will begin the finalized stats now.

I hate multi posts, don't you?

Vessel Typhoon-Class Dirigible Aircraft Carrier
Power Plant Six Kielly-Caesar TV-421A Leviathan Advanced Turbojets
Length 285 meters (Overall, including lift sac)
Speed 374 mph
Aircraft 45
Aircraft elevators Two
Catapults Four
Armament
4 AMRAAM launchers
4 Phalanx CIWS 20mm mounts
2 M102 105mm cannons
2 25mm GAU-12 Gatling guns
2 L60 40mm Bofors cannons
(All Retractable)
Electronics/Countermeasures
SPS-48E 3-D air search radar
SPS-49(V)5 2-D air search radar
Mk91 Fire Control
AN/AAQ-24 Directional Infrared Countermeasures (DIRCM)
AN/AAR-44 infrared warning receiver
AN/AAR-47 missile warning system
AN/ALE-47 flare and chaff dispensing system
AN/ALQ-172 Electronic Countermeasure System
AN/ALQ-196 Jammer
AN/ALR-69 radar warning receiver
AN/APR-46A panoramic RF receiver
QRC-84-02 infrared countermeasures system

Notes
Originally designed with a capability to carry over sixty aircraft, the Typhoon-class dirigible aircraft carrier's capabilities were since lowered to forty-five to compensate for structural problems.

Built with a truly unique lift-sac design, this rigid airship looks almost similiar to a heavier-than air aircraft, with its almost flattened lift sac. The sac itself is constructed not of radar-absorbing materials, but radar-transparent materials. That, combined with the low-radar-observability geometry of the gondola/landing bay and the radar absorbant materials used in that componant's construction grant the Typhoon a far smaller radar signature than one would think as most of the craft simply does not return a signature at all.

Significant air-to-ground capability is included, equal to a pair of AC-130U Spooky attack aircraft. As well, a contingent of 25 paratroopers may be carried aboard, along with their equipment.

u are a arse head buggerd up feck :shock: :twisted: :D :(

u are a arse head buggerd up feck :shock: :twisted: :D :(

Good morning to you too... *Sighs* MOD!

Vessel Typhoon-Class Dirigible Aircraft Carrier
Power Plant Six Kielly-Caesar TV-421A Leviathan Advanced Turbojets
Length 285 meters (Overall, including lift sac)
Speed 374 mph
Aircraft 45
Aircraft elevators Two
Catapults Four
Armament
4 AMRAAM launchers
4 Phalanx CIWS 20mm mounts
2 M102 105mm cannons
2 25mm GAU-12 Gatling guns
2 L60 40mm Bofors cannons
(All Retractable)
Electronics/Countermeasures
SPS-48E 3-D air search radar
SPS-49(V)5 2-D air search radar
Mk91 Fire Control
AN/AAQ-24 Directional Infrared Countermeasures (DIRCM)
AN/AAR-44 infrared warning receiver
AN/AAR-47 missile warning system
AN/ALE-47 flare and chaff dispensing system
AN/ALQ-172 Electronic Countermeasure System
AN/ALQ-196 Jammer
AN/ALR-69 radar warning receiver
AN/APR-46A panoramic RF receiver
QRC-84-02 infrared countermeasures system


nice system, nice system indeed. only flaws I see with it are the 105 mm cannons, why would you need something that powerful when a simple phalanx (I think thats the one) minigun AA system would work just as well, if not better. also, in a dirigible you don't nessisarily need a launching deck, if you are high enough in the atmospher you can simply have the craft locked to where they are pointing downward, the pilot gets inside, fires up the engine, and the plane is just dropped. you should be able to get more than enough speed up to pull up in time to intercept incoming enemy aircraft, it would conserve fuel massivly, and would let you drop the catapults completly. Only real problem with that is getting them into the drop possition, but if you used ultra light weight aircraft *fully aluminum skeleton* you should be able to get them into possition with simple crane aparatus, or a series of ropes and pullies if you ever had to use them without power. Drag is also going to be a problem, mainly on the envelope *balloon* so the speed you are quoting seems a bit too high. . . still, not a bad system by any standard. how much they going to run, I might grab a few for my modern tech colony.

I would also have to say the Phalanx would make more sense for air defense, given that its sole purpose is to put depleted uranium in the way of a moving object (originally an anti-missile gun).

Another point:

Though this may be uncomfortable for the pilots, couldn't you redesign the plane launches to need no catapults? Example, they could drop out of the holding area then engage engines.

its a possibility, but that adds to safety concerns, what if the engine doesn't engage?

nice system, nice system indeed. only flaws I see with it are the 105 mm cannons, why would you need something that powerful when a simple phalanx (I think thats the one) minigun AA system would work just as well, if not better.

The 105mm's aren't actually for anti-air. They're for air-to-ground support. A Phalanx is a rapid fire weapon designed to knock missiles and fighters out of the air. The 105mm howitzer is designed solely to make life miserable for the enemy on the ground.

also, in a dirigible you don't nessisarily need a launching deck, if you are high enough in the atmospher you can simply have the craft locked to where they are pointing downward, the pilot gets inside, fires up the engine, and the plane is just dropped. you should be able to get more than enough speed up to pull up in time to intercept incoming enemy aircraft

I considered this, but I was unwilling to wager the lives of the pilots on them being able to do that in free-fall where all the speed they are accumulating is directed towards the ground. I can, however, eliminate the cats entirely, considering that the water isn't just a couple of stories below. I'd feel safer if the pilots were accumulating some speed laterally.

Drag is also going to be a problem, mainly on the envelope *balloon* so the speed you are quoting seems a bit too high. . . still, not a bad system by any standard.

The lift sac is not a formless baloon. That would be a blimp. This is a zepplin. Between the semi-rigid skin and the radar-transparent polymer supports, it is kept in a shape that is actually somewhat aerodynamic. Perhaps the speed is a little too high, but not terribly much. I will alter the speed.

I would also have to say the Phalanx would make more sense for air defense, given that its sole purpose is to put depleted uranium in the way of a moving object (originally an anti-missile gun).

That would be why it's there, yes.

Though this may be uncomfortable for the pilots, couldn't you redesign the plane launches to need no catapults? Example, they could drop out of the holding area then engage engines.

There are too many things to go wrong with such a system. Though, the crane idea above has possibilities, nonetheless. A large cargo crane running the length of the hangar bay could lift the fighters, lower them into flight position, and release them. The dirigible would likely be able to move fast enough that when the fighter is released, it is above its stall speed. Even if the pilot can't start his engine, since he is in the proper flight attitude with some speed built up already, he could glide in to a safe landing. Just so long as we're not dropping him straight down towards the Earth.

Vessel Typhoon-Class Dirigible Aircraft Carrier
Power Plant Six Kielly-Caesar TV-421A Leviathan Advanced Turbojets
Length 285 meters (Overall, including lift sac)
Speed 274 mph
Aircraft 45
Armament
4 AMRAAM launchers
4 Phalanx CIWS 20mm mounts
2 M102 105mm cannons
2 25mm GAU-12 Gatling guns
2 L60 40mm Bofors cannons
(All Retractable)
Electronics/Countermeasures
SPS-48E 3-D air search radar
SPS-49(V)5 2-D air search radar
Mk91 Fire Control
AN/AAQ-24 Directional Infrared Countermeasures (DIRCM)
AN/AAR-44 infrared warning receiver
AN/AAR-47 missile warning system
AN/ALE-47 flare and chaff dispensing system
AN/ALQ-172 Electronic Countermeasure System
AN/ALQ-196 Jammer
AN/ALR-69 radar warning receiver
AN/APR-46A panoramic RF receiver
QRC-84-02 infrared countermeasures system
Unit Replacement Cost $2.1 Billion

Notes
Originally designed with a capability to carry over sixty aircraft, the Typhoon-class dirigible aircraft carrier's capabilities were since lowered to forty-five to compensate for structural problems. Aircraft are lowered out the bottom of the carrier on an electro-magnetic crane and released already above their stall speed. To recover aircraft, the process is reversed. While this is harrowing and undeniably difficult, it is no moreso than mid-air refueling.

Built with a truly unique lift-sac design, this rigid airship looks almost similiar to a heavier-than air aircraft, with its almost flattened lift sac. The sac itself is constructed not of radar-absorbing materials, but radar-transparent materials. That, combined with the low-radar-observability geometry of the gondola/landing bay and the radar absorbant materials used in that componant's construction grant the Typhoon a far smaller radar signature than one would think as most of the craft simply does not return a signature at all.

Significant air-to-ground capability is included, equal to a pair of AC-130U Spooky attack aircraft. As well, a contingent of 25 paratroopers may be carried aboard, along with their equipment.

like I said, a well thought out system, reason I mentioned the Phalanx system was that it would do best to replace the other guns, dropping the 102 mm guns makes the ship cheaper and cuts down on weight, and they aren't really needed, as the ship could simply carry cluster bombs to drop on ground forces dirrectly below it. I could see this craft as a support role, and don't really forsee it in dirrect combat, save perhaps as a deffecnive roll, so that cuts down on the need to worry about AA systems. In coming missiles fired from ground forces as well as enemy fighters will still be a problem, but so long as it launches fighter/bombers from afar, you shouldn't have to worry about it. all in all, a good system, how much do you want for plans and production rights? *and mind you, I don't intend to sell the ships at all*

The baseline variant will retain the 105mm howitzers so that it doesn't have to expose itself to return fire. I will give you manufacture and modification rights for... What do you say? $20 Billion? For less than the price of ten of these you could modify them to your standard and buid them yourself.

You guys, I am sorry, but you can't have a frikkin aircraft carrier on a blimp unless the balloon was like 5 km long and 1km wide lol

24.2 billion dollars have been wired for the plans and rights, as well as two stat ships to begin training crews.

blimp? where is the blimp. A rigid airship is not a blimp.

How much has to be paid for the rights for these, as well as one for testing/training?

How about we go to war?

CAN YOU DIG IT, SUCKKKKAAAA?????

Meddle not in the affairs of nations this much bigger than you for you are crunchy and taste good with ketchup... *Cough* ...Sucka.

Ha ha.Crunchy with ketchup?Sure.Ha ha ha.Try it bub.

24.2 billion dollars have been wired for the plans and rights, as well as two stat ships to begin training crews.

Order confirmed and accepted.

How much has to be paid for the rights for these, as well as one for testing/training?

Call it $22.4 Billion. As well, you may wish to consider the A-24 Corsair III for use on your carrier.

Storefront (http://www.nationstates.net/forum/viewtopic.php?t=74974)

How about we go to war?

CAN YOU DIG IT, SUCKKKKAAAA?????

Meddle not in the affairs of nations this much bigger than you for you are crunchy and taste good with ketchup... *Cough* ...Sucka.

Ha ha.Crunchy with ketchup?Sure.Ha ha ha.Try it bub.

*Grabs ketchup and sprinkles you with salt*

for some reason I'm reminded of that darwinian progression of the fish being eaten by progressivly bigger fish. . . where is a 1 billion nation with a frightening economy when you need it?