NationStates Jolt Archive

Greetings, all.

I was wondering if any of you skilled naval ship designers could help me design my own naval vessels? I honestly don't know much about statistics for naval stuff, but I feel I have some understanding of naval tactics though.

I'd like help in designing several types of naval vessels...

Super Aircraft Carrier
Regular Aircraft Carrier
Super Battleship
Regular Battleship
Heavy Cruiser
Light Cruiser
Destroyer
Frigate
Submarines

A few other ship classes, perhaps.

Here's what tech I have (so you'll have a better idea what you can help me design)...

COIL guns
Railguns
Fusion reactors (more powerful versions of nuclear reactors)
Hydrogen Fuel Cells
Laser based systems (to shoot down missiles)
Radar
Sonar
All other Modern Tech (Fusion and Laser systems are the only post-modern stuff I have for military uses)

Here's some info on my fusion and hydrogen fuel cell tech's...

Land based fusion reactor tech...

http://forums2.jolt.co.uk/showthread.php?t=362753

Technical stuff + my own R&D of fusion tech....

http://forums2.jolt.co.uk/showthread.php?t=359427

And finally, my previous attempt in creating naval vessels (bad, I know)

http://forums2.jolt.co.uk/showthread.php?t=359171


Again, any and all help would be greatly appreciated in designing feasible and plausible naval vessels. I want to use them in some upcoming RP's. I'm willing to have my nation pay money "IC" if necessary. :)

We have a new submarine design that we'd be willing to build for you, but alas, given how new it is, we are currently unwilling to sell the plans for it..

going from memory

a US super carrier (say the Nimitz and her numerous siblings (inc the ronald reagan!!!))
weigh in about 100,000, carry enough fuel for 14 days combat for their aircraft, have between 70 and 90 jets, with a mix of f14s(between 20 and 30 year old design) for air defence, f/A18s (mostly the new model B or E i think which are a sig upgrade on the F/A 18As for mixed role ground attack and airdefence. Also 3 AWACs E3Bs I think and some attack aircraft like A6s, a few versions of sea chinook by sikorksy, a few ASW helicopters, a bits and pieces.

Also equiped with Phalanxs usually 3 or 4 units, which I think replaced the sea sparrow, but they maybe still installed and used in conjunction for last ditch defence.

Also ECM, Sonar and ASW systems, usually escorted by an ASW/AA cruiser or destroyer.

the enterprise was fitted with 6 or 8 reactors, but the Nimitz have 2, top speed in excess of 30 knotts, 4 steam catapults, 3 or 4 lifts, plus some small ones for support aircraft, usually fitted out as a fleet flagship also.

cost for one of these babes is a few billion US plus maintaining one costs about 1B per annum, plus aircraft.

6000 crew 1/2 ship 1/2 aircrew

Frenchie carriers are I think about 50,000 tonnes, and the brits I think are building similar ones in the future. These have between 40 and 60 aircraft depending on the weapon mix.

Brit Carriers currently are about 22,000 tonnes and have about 20 aircraft, made up up if harrier AV8Cs, sea kings and eurocopters.

The russians had their kiev class carriers which are more like heavy cruisers with a flight deck, bastardised pieces of crap really.

Battleships such as the mighty mo weigh in at about 50,000 tonnes have 9 16inch guns and numerous support systems such as sea sparrow a BPDMs phalanx and tomahawk launchers.

the last brit battleship was the vanguard, with the marvelous 15 inch guns the brits used for most of the war, superour weapon to their rubbishy 16inch guns used occassionally.

and then their was the Yamato, 9 18.1inch monsters on a 70 or 80,000 tonne frame.

Modern cruisers are genreally only in the service of the US and the former russian navy and can be considered say 5000 tonnes and above.

Given the US basically use 6 inch guns and the 4.5 inch guns, the old measure of gun size is useless and general analysis of tonnage and warfighting capacity gives you the description.

most destroyers and frigates are around the 3,000 mark and are the mainstays of most navies in the world. There are some called destroyers that are maybe frigates and vice versa.

Subs come in three different categories.
conventional diesel electrics, rarely much heavier than 1200 tonnes 1/3 of which are batteries, 1/3 of which are diesal fuel

nuclear powered strike or attack submarines usually weigh in between 2500 tonnes and 4,000 tonnes
and nuclear subs with ballistic missiles, the biggest of which are the iowa class SSBNs at about 25,000 tonnes with 24 trident missiles each with 10 warheads, each warhead can be independently targetted and carries a lovely little 10 kiloton nuke (yup the Iowas can each take out 240 cities if all missiles hit!)
the russians and the chinese have a few conventional subs capable of launching balistic missiles but these are pretty crap as they have to still cart around their batteries and diesal, I think the hotel class of subs are still in use, but their are floating targets.

convetional weapons systems are a 4.5 inch gun, although 5 inch and 6 inch guns are still used

some sort of last ditch gun system such as phalanx or goalkeeper, usually fitted out with DU shells, independant moter, radar and UPS

some sort of AA system, say a cruiser or larger AA destroyer would have an over the horizon radar system and a long range missile, frigates or general purpose destroyers would have medium range missile system, or something like seawolf or sea sparrow for anti missile/short range defence

SSM amongst western nations is usually harpoon although the french exocet does have plenty of fans, there are other SSM systems, these usually come in around the 30km range

ships are usually fitted with anti submarine torps or missiles as well.

technology should be included as well.

3D radar, satellite links, sonar, over the horizon systems, imaging systems, ECM systems, integrated systems, GPS, communications, command systems, back up systems etc. (thats why a modern destroyer is bristling with antennae, radars etc)

I get the feeling some folks look up existing radar systems such as the ANTPQ 36 and add a few letters and a numbers and come up with their own system, which is fine given its RPing.

I'm new, so I hope I haven't been completely boring or annoying and some help, cheers

KG

I don't mind giving help, but you may want to try here first of all:

http://s7.invisionfree.com/OMP/index.php?showtopic=17

and search out CSJ's threads on Naval vessels as well.

. Also 3 AWACs E3Bs I think and some attack aircraft like A6s, a few versions of sea chinook by sikorksy, a few ASW helicopters, a bits and pieces.

Also equiped with Phalanxs usually 3 or 4 units, which I think replaced the sea sparrow,


Just a few wrong things here

the naval AWACs is the E-2C Hawkeye, the E-3 is close to the size of a 747.

The A-6 was retired, replaced by the F/A-18.

There is no sea chinook, its the Sea Knight, an entirely difrent aircraft from the chinook.

Phalanx is used in additon to, not instead of sea-sparrow sams

And i could have sworn 5 inch 54 caliber lightwieght guns are the std armament not 4.5 or 6 inch.
otherwise good job :cool:

Another couple of points I'd like to make (apart from the ones already so well made by others, that is). The Russians have what is probably one of the best ciws's in the world, the CADS-1. It combines a double, 6 barrel, 30 millmeter mount with a short range missle system and radar. That is a lot better than the American Phalanx, and probably even gives the superlative British Goalkeeper (7 barrel 30mm gun mount+ a very good radar, some people say its the best close in weapon system in the world) a run for it's money.

The other option for CIWS stuff is Metal Storm... www.metalstorm.com

very nice system and depending on your resupply situation and how you discribe it it is almost invincible... (ie if you dont run out of shells nothing is getting in...)

Thanks for the info posts.

This has got me thinking. Here's what I think my ships could use....

Main Cannons: COIL technology

Missiles: Not sure what a good naval based missile would be.

Point Defense: Metal Storm tech or Laser tech (explained in a bit)

Armor / Superstructure Material: Not sure what material to use. Would titanium or kevlar be good? I heard Kevlar is almost as strong and resilient as steel, but much lighter. Or should I stick with traditional steel? Or are there new plausible composite material lying out there?

Power Plant: Mobile MFE* fusion reactor with power generation of 10 conventional nuclear reactors (mostly to power the COIL guns and electronic intensive hardware)

Propulsion: Unsure. Its a toss-up between hydrofoil, propeller, or caterpillar drive (like in Hunt of the Red October movie).

Type of hull: Unsure. I keep seeing Trimarian and mono-hull referrals, but what exactly are they?

Top Speed: 40 knots for small ships, 25 knots for large ships

Sensor Suite: Multiple RADAR, Sonar, Infrared, Laser Sensor (explain in a bit), and Electricty Sensor (explain in a bit).

Aircraft: Not sure what a good naval air fighter or air bomber would be.

Heliocopters: Not sure what type or brand of heliocopters would be useful at sea.

Anything else I missed?

=============================
Laser Sensor:

It is an idea of mine. It would continually scan the sky measuring the distance between the ship and the end of the laser beam. The laser beam would extend for about 100 miles. There would be several dozen laser beams rotating at approximately 10,000 rotations per second.

If a jet, bird, cloud, or whatever crosses the path of the laser beam, the disruption of the laser beam would be measured. It would then determine the size of the object. If the object appears to be larger than 10 feet and has a solid state of matter, then the sensor system will direct the Laser or Metal Storm point defense systems to fire upon that object if it does not transmit a "friend or foe" recongition signal.

This could eliminate the advantage of stealth material, as my laser system would use light particles to measure distance, mass, and velocity. Unless someone develops a material that absorbs light like a black hole, the object would be detected.

This is different from RADAR, as RADAR uses radio waves to detect things, and radio waves are easily disrupted or absorbed than light particles.

Is this a plausible tech? Let me know!

Laser Point Defense System:

I've been thinking of employing industrial cutting lasers or microwave lasers as point defense weapons.

Industrial Lasers would cut grooves or gashes into incoming missiles and jets, destroying their aerodynamics. Then they would spin out of control, ruining any chance at accurate strikes.

Or they could slice up incoming objects like they cut up metal in decorative metal or metal parts in automobile factories.

Microwave lasers would heat up incoming material very much like microwave ovens heat up food and liquids. The microwave laser would heat up the material to melting or boiling tempatures.

Are these lasers plausible tech? Let me know!

Electricty Sensor:

I'm trying to develop a sensor that can detect electronic activity, or electromagentic activity in computer chips and such. This sensor would be able to detect missile electronics, stealth aircraft electronics, stealth submarine electronics, etc. by detecting electrical emissions and discharges between electrical currents and circuits.

Is this even remotely possible? Or would this require tech well beyond 2050 or 2100 AD?

==========================
* note:

The MFE reactor was RP'ed in development a month or two ago in the thread link I provided in the first post of this thread.

==========================

At any rate, I would like your feedback on my proposed general outline of ideas, designs, and tech. I'm trying to create a unique navy, but at the same time, make it realistic and plausible within a 2000 - 2050 timeframe.

good missile would be the hatchet (http://phoenixdynamix.proboards38.com/index.cgi?board=misc&action=display&num=1099927691) cruise missile

Mono hulls are just that. Single hulled vessels, like 90% of all vessels today. Triamarans are triple hulled ones, usually a big main hull with smaller "outriggers" linked to it.

Bump!

More feedback needed on my proposed ideas for cannons, point defense, power plant, hull, propulsion, etc.

Metal storm would be best for gun point-defence, preferably linked with a good point-defence missile system, as per Russian practice.

Best to have most missile systems vertically launched to improve reaction time.

100,000 shp/shaft is way too much for most vessels (it would tear the shaft to pieces), though a lot of ship-builders probably do that (including me, I think).

Integrated full-electric propulsion, as used by the Royal Navy, seems a good way to go as that improves efficiency in transfering energy to the shafts or other propulsion methods.

Maximise deck space, but don't forget about that required for radars and other sensors, communications devices, etc.

Metal storm would be best for gun point-defence, preferably linked with a good point-defence missile system, as per Russian practice.

Best to have most missile systems vertically launched to improve reaction time.

100,000 shp/shaft is way too much for most vessels (it would tear the shaft to pieces), though a lot of ship-builders probably do that (including me, I think).

Integrated full-electric propulsion, as used by the Royal Navy, seems a good way to go as that improves efficiency in transfering energy to the shafts or other propulsion methods.

Maximise deck space, but don't forget about that required for radars and other sensors, communications devices, etc.

Thanks for your feedback. I appreciate it!

IIRC, I've read somewhere that there are 70,000 horsepower driven propellers or something.

If 100,000 is too much, I could use a Caterpillar Drive, like the Typoon Submarine has in the movie "Hunt for the Red October" with Sean Connery.

Thanks for the info posts.

This has got me thinking. Here's what I think my ships could use....

Main Cannons: COIL technology

Missiles: Not sure what a good naval based missile would be.

Point Defense: Metal Storm tech or Laser tech (explained in a bit)

Armor / Superstructure Material: Not sure what material to use. Would titanium or kevlar be good? I heard Kevlar is almost as strong and resilient as steel, but much lighter. Or should I stick with traditional steel? Or are there new plausible composite material lying out there?

Power Plant: Mobile MFE* fusion reactor with power generation of 10 conventional nuclear reactors (mostly to power the COIL guns and electronic intensive hardware)

Propulsion: Unsure. Its a toss-up between hydrofoil, propeller, or caterpillar drive (like in Hunt of the Red October movie).

Type of hull: Unsure. I keep seeing Trimarian and mono-hull referrals, but what exactly are they?

Top Speed: 40 knots for small ships, 25 knots for large ships

Sensor Suite: Multiple RADAR, Sonar, Infrared, Laser Sensor (explain in a bit), and Electricty Sensor (explain in a bit).

Aircraft: Not sure what a good naval air fighter or air bomber would be.

Heliocopters: Not sure what type or brand of heliocopters would be useful at sea.

Anything else I missed?

=============================
Laser Sensor:

It is an idea of mine. It would continually scan the sky measuring the distance between the ship and the end of the laser beam. The laser beam would extend for about 100 miles. There would be several dozen laser beams rotating at approximately 10,000 rotations per second.

If a jet, bird, cloud, or whatever crosses the path of the laser beam, the disruption of the laser beam would be measured. It would then determine the size of the object. If the object appears to be larger than 10 feet and has a solid state of matter, then the sensor system will direct the Laser or Metal Storm point defense systems to fire upon that object if it does not transmit a "friend or foe" recongition signal.

This could eliminate the advantage of stealth material, as my laser system would use light particles to measure distance, mass, and velocity. Unless someone develops a material that absorbs light like a black hole, the object would be detected.

This is different from RADAR, as RADAR uses radio waves to detect things, and radio waves are easily disrupted or absorbed than light particles.

Is this a plausible tech? Let me know!

Laser Point Defense System:

I've been thinking of employing industrial cutting lasers or microwave lasers as point defense weapons.

Industrial Lasers would cut grooves or gashes into incoming missiles and jets, destroying their aerodynamics. Then they would spin out of control, ruining any chance at accurate strikes.

Or they could slice up incoming objects like they cut up metal in decorative metal or metal parts in automobile factories.

Microwave lasers would heat up incoming material very much like microwave ovens heat up food and liquids. The microwave laser would heat up the material to melting or boiling tempatures.

Are these lasers plausible tech? Let me know!

Electricty Sensor:

I'm trying to develop a sensor that can detect electronic activity, or electromagentic activity in computer chips and such. This sensor would be able to detect missile electronics, stealth aircraft electronics, stealth submarine electronics, etc. by detecting electrical emissions and discharges between electrical currents and circuits.

Is this even remotely possible? Or would this require tech well beyond 2050 or 2100 AD?

==========================
* note:

The MFE reactor was RP'ed in development a month or two ago in the thread link I provided in the first post of this thread.

==========================

At any rate, I would like your feedback on my proposed general outline of ideas, designs, and tech. I'm trying to create a unique navy, but at the same time, make it realistic and plausible within a 2000 - 2050 timeframe.

Most modern ships nowadays go for a mixture of radar and lidar/ladar (or simply 'optronic' sensors: imaging infra-red (IIR), laser rangefinders, low-light cameras (tech similar to night vision goggles)), especially with regard to anti-missile defences.

For point-defence lasers, they are certainly possible by 2050, but best if they attack missile seeker heads, although that just might create a ballistic threat instead of a manoeuvring one. A mix of projectile and laser weapons might be best, the first to destroy if the latter fails to disable.

For propulsion, you could go for propulsors, with water-jets for smaller vessels. And if 70,000 per shaft is possible, 80,000 should be OK for NS purposes! :) Besides, most ships won't need to put that much torque on each shaft to make them go an acceptable speed (ca. 28-30 knots for large ships, to 30-35 knots for destroyers, 40-50 knots for small craft).

For armour, everyone here (except dull, dim little me) seems to use titanium. Might as well go with the flow on that one. Kevlar is fine for some things, like anti-spall protection (protects the crew against shards and splinters). A more solid type of polymer rather than layered polymer fabrics might be better for general armour, as well as ceramics. Check out Chobham armour used on tanks for a general basis for layering different types of armour, and see if you can find a couple of sites on battleship armour (especially Iowa, Bismarck, etc.) on void spaces, compartmentalisation, bulkheads, etc. A mixture of layering different types and proper positioning of armour will allow you to create ships that aren't horribly massive (thus slow because they have horrendously deep draughts).

I don't know whether electricity sensors would be possible (because the electromagnetic fields they produce would likely be too small to detect in light of the interference created by the ship's own sensors and other equipment), but with optronics, such sensors might not be necessary anyway.

Also, as I'm already being terribly long-winded anyway, make sure about the arcs of fire/sensing for your weapons systems and sensors.

metalstorm was first invented here in Australia!

to date they haven't had a single sale, however they are getting R&D money from AUS and the US, I think they are primarily owned by the US shareholders now, with the inventor retaining something like 20% and another 20% listed on the Aussie Stock Exchange.

Metalstorm tech is basically has very few moving parts except the launch mechanism, being a big box. the bullets or ammunition is a 2D array held in suspension of a chemical film (the 'secret ingrediant'). An electric charge fills the screen causing the detonation to propel any number of shells/bullets/projectiles forward at high velocity with a massive impulse of energy from the explosive force. The sheet is then dropped out and the next sheet can be charged. So basically in a fraction of a second tens of thousands of projectiles can be fired into a space.

sure since ww2 chaff has been available, designed to fool radar systems, decoy for missiles etc, but chaff has been exploded everywhere, or in a general direction, Metal storm can fire projectiles with a significant degree of accuracy up to a couple of kilometres away with a reasonable amount of accuracy, or at least as accurately as a CIWS, and with a self correcting radar system, can 'zone' in on a missile or aircraft.

Thanks for the info on the A6, I am pretty sure that carriers field 3 types of combat aircraft, the f14/f18 and one other, but I can't remember what it is.

sorry about the AWACs now you mention it I can picture the hawkeye

I did mention that they maybe used in conjunction, I know on the brit carriers the Sea Dart missile systems have been removed or are being removed, I thought they may have done that on subsequent US carriers as Phalanx tech gets improved.

I know the the sea knight but was going by memory, the sea knight I think is about 60% of the size of the chinook and similar in layout and design, the brits use the sea king which is another sikorsky design I believe, I can remember the US definition.

mind you I was going my memory, but thanks for the feedback ;)

AUS had a problem with their ANZAC frigates which were designed for efficiency. They had three engines basically, however when all three engines were used simultaneously ie hot pursuit, a basic design flaw in the shaft saw excessive vibrations threatening to damage the hull, this has been subsequently rectified, but I believe the top speed of the frigate has been downgraded to 28 knots which is about 3 to 8 knots slower than comparable vehicles.

I believe the brits and americans are investing a lot of money in a joint strike fighter with a STOL capacity for use on future british and american carriers. I suspect it will be a replacement for the very effective F14 tomcat, I think, again from memory, it is a double delta canard design aircraft, perhaps your carrier should look for that type of design, it will mean that the steam catapult can be jetisoned for the brit 'ski' ramp and more fuel efficient than a VTOL aircraft while still delivering the performance of an F14.

the current FA/18 does have an air to air capacity to the point that some including canada and Aus I think use it as their primary air superiority aircraft.

The frenchies have some decent aircraft carrier borne vehicles.

Finally you could work of the design of the original kestrel specs and come up with a superharrier? a mach 2, VSTOL aircraft with substantial strike capacity, add that to say a JSF?

so an future assualt carrier spec with 110,000 tonnes, fuel for 15 days combat, mixed flight of 28 f18Ks (new model?), 28 Kestrels II, and 28 JSF, 3 AWACs, 28 sea kings/sea knights for troop carrying and ASW, 28 Eurocopters (this would be a mix of a british HMS ocean, US marine assualt carrier and a US supercarrier)

say for different roles 2000 crew, 2000 flight crew and 1 or 2 batallions of marines or combat engineers (beach heads, airfields etc) (900/1800) Crew efficiencies due to technology from current carriers

4 CIWS, 4 Short range SAMs, one GLCM with harpoon, and an off the shelf medium range SAM system, a tomahawk launcher

8 LCMs, (100 marines each), medium APCs and LAVs and maybe

Radar and Sonar systems, ECM and EM systems, integrated Satellite and comms systems, integrated combat systems

Any modern carrier would have command and control systems to be integrated with the fleet air defence destroyers and ASW frigates?

cheers

KG

F-18 Super Hornet will replace the F-14 Tomcat
EDIT: to my knowlege to regular types of aircraft on the carriers are: F-14A Tomcats, F-18 Hornet, USMC F/A-18C Hornet E-2C Hawkeye C-2 Greyhound, EA-6B Prowler, S-3B Viking and SH-60F/H Seahawk

I appreciate the feedback. Keep more coming!

A few revisions...

Point Defense:

Metal Storm Mark II (enhanced range up to 5 kilometers, and fire 1 inch diameter rounds)

Laser Aerodynamic Defense (provides back-up to Metal Storm, as the laser would heat up the incoming projectiles, altering aerodynamics or trajectory so to make them miss the ship and splash into the water instead)

Engine / Propulsion: Caterpillar Pulse Drive Mark II.

This engine is based off the advanced Caterpillar engine in the Hunt of the Red October movie.

The engine sucks in water and then propel them out using static energy. My version of the Caterpillar Drive is capable of higher speeds and more efficiency thanks to the power provided by my MFE fusion reactor.

Each of my naval vessels will employ two Caterpillar Drives, with a front covered with a "screen-door" in a conical shape to prevent any large debris from getting inside the drive and damaging it.

Sensor: My "Electricty Sensor" is feasible as it would be the new SQUID; Super conducting QUantum Interference Device; A type of highly sensitive magnetic field sensor. A SQUID can detect a powerline's magnetic field several kilometers away. It also can detect the minute magnetic field that is created by the flow of currents through nerves in a brain, thus could be used as a reciver in thought controlled devices, though there is still the problem of decoding the signals.

This means most any electrical activity can be detected in the air or the water.

======================

I've devised a new class of counter-measure. The anti-torpedo counter-measure.

Instead of flinging chaff tubes around underwater, I've decided to use a more direct approach. I'm going to design my ships with several mini-torpedo turrets on the bottom of the ship's hull, under the cartepillar drives. These mini-torpedoes would be 1 meter long, as it doesn't require heavy explosive payloads that are required to penetrate thick ship hulls.

The turrets would use the Metal Storm principle to launch several mini-torpedoes at once. These mini-torpedoes would home onto incoming torpedoes by sensing their noise and detecting their warheads.

The mini-torpedoes would detonate as they hit the incoming submarine torpedoes, destroying both torpedoes. This would be the undersea version of ABM's or Patriot Missiles.

This would reduce the effectiveness of submarines in ship-to-ship combat (excluding usage of missiles, or missile submarines) aganist Sharina.



Are these good ideas, and plausible?

I would suggest you use Metal Storm combined with conventional CIWS not instead of.

As far as the Caterpillar Drive I'm not sure how these would work in a surface vessel bit it sounds good.

The biggest problem I can see with the Caterpillar drive is the possibility, remote, but it's there, of taking a hit directly on the doors. It'd leave you just as dead in the water as a hit on the screws would a normal vessel. And the doors would be a bigger target then on the Red October if you are going to put them on capital ships. My suggestion is keep them to the subs, alone.

I appreciate the feedback. Keep more coming!

A few revisions...

Point Defense:

Metal Storm Mark II (enhanced range up to 5 kilometers, and fire 1 inch diameter rounds)

Laser Aerodynamic Defense (provides back-up to Metal Storm, as the laser would heat up the incoming projectiles, altering aerodynamics or trajectory so to make them miss the ship and splash into the water instead)

Engine / Propulsion: Caterpillar Pulse Drive Mark II.

This engine is based off the advanced Caterpillar engine in the Hunt of the Red October movie.

The engine sucks in water and then propel them out using static energy. My version of the Caterpillar Drive is capable of higher speeds and more efficiency thanks to the power provided by my MFE fusion reactor.

Each of my naval vessels will employ two Caterpillar Drives, with a front covered with a "screen-door" in a conical shape to prevent any large debris from getting inside the drive and damaging it.

Sensor: My "Electricty Sensor" is feasible as it would be the new SQUID; Super conducting QUantum Interference Device; A type of highly sensitive magnetic field sensor. A SQUID can detect a powerline's magnetic field several kilometers away. It also can detect the minute magnetic field that is created by the flow of currents through nerves in a brain, thus could be used as a reciver in thought controlled devices, though there is still the problem of decoding the signals.

This means most any electrical activity can be detected in the air or the water.

======================

I've devised a new class of counter-measure. The anti-torpedo counter-measure.

Instead of flinging chaff tubes around underwater, I've decided to use a more direct approach. I'm going to design my ships with several mini-torpedo turrets on the bottom of the ship's hull, under the cartepillar drives. These mini-torpedoes would be 1 meter long, as it doesn't require heavy explosive payloads that are required to penetrate thick ship hulls.

The turrets would use the Metal Storm principle to launch several mini-torpedoes at once. These mini-torpedoes would home onto incoming torpedoes by sensing their noise and detecting their warheads.

The mini-torpedoes would detonate as they hit the incoming submarine torpedoes, destroying both torpedoes. This would be the undersea version of ABM's or Patriot Missiles.

This would reduce the effectiveness of submarines in ship-to-ship combat (excluding usage of missiles, or missile submarines) aganist Sharina.



Are these good ideas, and plausible?



Firstly, If you refer to The Hunt For The Red October as a movie once more, i'll have to carpet-nuke you :p
It was originally inspired by the same-named novel by Tom Clancy, and if you are prepared to put alot of time into developing a similar system, you should really read it.

The thing with the Caterpillar drive is, as much as it was famed for being quiet, it would be, in RL, extremely noisy unless there was some seriously huge development put into it.

If you are planning on using it, then remember that alot of people will just not accept it and say its a GodMod. You can, of course, develop it like the story went, so that to engage the drive, doors like the ones on a head of a TT had to open, which werent quiet - To compensate for its massive silence.

It is a revelutionary concept, but like alot of stuff in Clancy novels, wouldnt work in the real world. For one theres all the wear the drive would incur, because its common fact that Water is not a very good lubricant at all.

To Conclude, by all means flow ahead, but really look deep into the project. And feel free to flame, oxidise or critique this post!

Engine / Propulsion: Caterpillar Pulse Drive Mark II.

This engine is based off the advanced Caterpillar engine in the Hunt of the Red October movie.

The engine sucks in water and then propel them out using static energy. My version of the Caterpillar Drive is capable of higher speeds and more efficiency thanks to the power provided by my MFE fusion reactor.

Each of my naval vessels will employ two Caterpillar Drives, with a front covered with a "screen-door" in a conical shape to prevent any large debris from getting inside the drive and damaging it.

Read the book. Caterpillar is slow because of the limit on how much water you can pull through the tunnel at any given time, and there's no real advantage in using it over a water jet only advantage to Red October's caterpillar was that it was virtually silent, she had conventional screws as well for moving at any useful speed.]

Read the book. Caterpillar is slow because of the limit on how much water you can pull through the tunnel at any given time, and there's no real advantage in using it over a water jet only advantage to Red October's caterpillar was that it was virtually silent, she had conventional screws as well for moving at any useful speed.]

QFE

I concur on this matter, too.

And these days, we arent back in the late 80's. If you want quiet, you can just buy a few Ohios, they are like black holes in the ocean. Or, liek some more creative nations, build your own - obviously based around such a boomer.

Hmm...

I want to do something different, and buck the traditional trend.

I honestly don't understand why people would label caterpillar drive as a god-mod. Its just another type of propulsion, and it won't be 10x better than propellers. My ships won't be flying through the air or doing "super-hero" stuff.

The reason why I thought about using caterpillar drives is to reduce moving parts on my ships and avoid the problems associated with propellers. IIRC, propellers extend a bit deeper than the bottom hull of the ship.

So basically with a caterpillar drive, my ships can navigate more shallow water as they wouldn't have to worry about the propellers hitting rock or scraping the riverbed / seabed. In addition, they don't have to worry about getting stuck in seaweed or suffer any "ensnare" of the propellers.



If a caterpillar drive is too ridiclious, then what alternative do you guys have or propose? I'm really trying to make a completely different navy, instead of the boring standard ship types that everyone and their mama uses here at NS.

I appreciate your feedback, and also appreciate your honesty and candor. :)