NationStates Jolt Archive

I want to design and build a nuclear-powered carrier. But I don't know where to start. The shape of the carrier will be a typical RL carrier, but I want it to be faster, bigger, and better defense capabilities. I need help for weapons, equipment (radar, sonar, etc.), engine, armor, and aircraft space.

Here are the basic characteristics of a Franberrian Columbo-Class Carrier. Its slightly better than the best RL carriers in operation today.

General characteristics:

Builder: Franberrian Naval yards
Power Plant: Two A4W reactors, four shafts
Length: 350m overall
Flight Deck Width: 78 m
Beam: 41 m
Displacement: 97,000 tons full load,
Speed: (60+ km/h)
Aircraft: 85
Cost to produce: $4.5 billion
Service Life: 40 years
Crew: Ship's Company: 3,200 ---- Air Wing: 2,480
Armament:

AIM-7 Sparrow: 4
20mm Phalanx CIWS mounts: 6
RIM-116 Rolling Airframe Missile: 4

I've learnt that carriers don't really need advanced SONAR - they have helicopters to do that. They do need LADAR (Laser Detection and Ranging), LIDA R (Light Detection and Ranging) and RADAR - but they don't need to be powerful because you have escorts for that.

For protection, CIWS (Close in weapons systems), don't use RL, if you have to use 'Goalkeeper' and not 'Phalanx'. For aircraft, take the 'Nimitz' and scale upwards - say if you wanted 400m, I would say that 65 combat aircraft would be realistic.

Don't use VTOL or STOVL unless doctrine really requires it, they're only good on battleships and *small* carriers. For faster, its quite hard with carriers because speed is directly related to a length/beam ratio (and also draught, you could make her really deep but it wouldn't have much effect).

Thank you for the information. But I need to know more about the types of nuclear-reactors there are in NS/RL. What are the difference of different reactors? Which are compatible with a carrier?

Also, What type of weapons are typical in Carriers? or What type or weapons are compatible in carriers?

I always get confuse on VTOL and STOVL. What does it mean?

we as a great nucelar power may be able to help build a water based nucelar generator if you need any assitance

we as a great nucelar power may be able to help build a water based nucelar generator if you need any assitance

Okay then, what do you got?

Vertical take off and landing / Short take off vertical landing

As for generators, that depends on your prferance... most nations use pebblebed reactors due to safety reasons. I would use metallic lead cooled fast neutron reactors (Though that might be related to my soviet obsession...)

I always get confuse on VTOL and STOVL. What does it mean?

VTOL: Vertical Take-Off and Landing
STOVL: Short Take-Off and Vertical Landing

Metallic lead cooled fast neutron reactors.....hmmmm...sounds interesting. Anymore suggestions for reactor types?

Simple - pressurised water nuclear reactors with pumpjets for propulsion. Not sure about power. I stopped using screws a while ago.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nuclear_reactors#Types_of_reactors
Use wikipedia. Wikipedia knows everything! ^_^

Okay then, what do you got?


well similiar to the trident nuclear submarine, they have excellent power output. There hazard levels are minimal and the radition levels are almost undetectable by most radar systems so a stealth attack is feasable

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nuclear_reactors#Types_of_reactors
Use wikipedia. Wikipedia knows everything! ^_^

I forgot about Wikipedia...duh...Thanks.

well similiar to the trident nuclear submarine, they have excellent power output. There hazard levels are minimal and the radition levels are almost undetectable by most radar systems so a stealth attack is feasable

Cool, me like. What's their power output?

I'd also recommend signing up on The NS Draftroom (http://s13.invisionfree.com/The_NS_Draftroom/index.php). There are plenty of experienced designers there who can help you with the design (for example, I knew almost nothing about naval ships before I joined, but now I'm well on my way to getting one right on the first draft).

Displacement 18,700 tons submerged
Length 560 feet overall
Beam 42 feet
Draft 36 feet
Propulsion Steam Turbines, Propeller Shaft
Reactor Pressurized Water
Speed 25+ Knots Submerged
Manning 16 Officer/156 Enlisted on Alternating Crews
Strategic Weapons 24 C4 SLBM's (726-733), 24 D5 SLBM's (734-743)
Defensive Weapons 4 21 inch tubes for MK48 Torpedoes
Builder General Dynamics, Electric Boat Division


plus we can assist in nuclear weapon assitance if you so require, courtesy to recent find of uranium field

I'd also recommend signing up on The NS Draftroom (http://s13.invisionfree.com/The_NS_Draftroom/index.php). There are plenty of experienced designers there who can help you with the design (for example, I knew almost nothing about naval ships before I joined, but now I'm well on my way to getting one right on the first draft).

Thanks. I didn't know they have this kind of forum.

[ LIDAR and LADAR are the same thing, although LADAR is a bastard name of the system.

And while slow and not quite as undetectable as some make it out to be, caterpillar drives are good for stealth operations. ]

[ LIDAR and LADAR are the same thing, although LADAR is a bastard name of the system.

And while slow and not quite as undetectable as some make it out to be, caterpillar drives are good for stealth operations. ]

Interesting information. Caterpillar drives?