The Ship Model Forum

The Ship Modelers Source
It is currently Fri Mar 29, 2024 12:58 am

All times are UTC - 6 hours [ DST ]




Post new topic Reply to topic  [ 9 posts ] 
Author Message
PostPosted: Thu Jan 05, 2012 6:44 pm 
Offline
User avatar

Joined: Mon Jan 10, 2005 11:53 pm
Posts: 1021
Is it possible to make a stealth aircraft carrier? Or at least make as many features on a regular carrier as stealthy as possible? So many vehicles and systems in various militaries are being made more and more stealthy: UAV/UCAV, tanks, subs, frigates, patrol boats, etc., etc., etc.
But what could be done for a carrier, if anything? What features/items on a carrier would you change and how?
I'm planning to build a stealth CVX carrier model in the future and was curious to post this topic and get opinions.


Top
 Profile  
Reply with quote  
PostPosted: Thu Jan 05, 2012 9:00 pm 
Offline
User avatar

Joined: Mon Jan 10, 2005 6:00 pm
Posts: 12138
Location: Ottawa, Canada
JAG did make a what-if stealth CVN many years ago:
www.modelwarships.com/reviews/ships/cv/ ... eview.html

Of course, CVN-78 is a lot less radical than that, but it's an interesting look, for sure.

_________________
De quoi s'agit-il?


Top
 Profile  
Reply with quote  
PostPosted: Thu Jan 05, 2012 10:25 pm 
Offline
User avatar

Joined: Mon Jan 10, 2005 11:53 pm
Posts: 1021
Timmy C wrote:
JAG did make a what-if stealth CVN many years ago:
http://www.modelwarships.com/reviews/sh ... eview.html

Of course, CVN-78 is a lot less radical than that, but it's an interesting look, for sure.


I've always liked that kit, but that's not what my stealth carrier will end up looking. Not even close.
If stealth features could be added to a regular carrier, I imagine some of the following:
1. Enclosed anchors behind doors in the bow.
2. VLS weapon sponsons instead of octuple launchers and CIWS.
3. Retractable LSO platform into the hull side.
4. Life rafts and ship's boats in recessed (and covered) openings in the hull sides similar to this photo:
http://www.modelshipgallery.com/gallery ... cs2-06.jpg
5. All those long whip antennaes along the flight deck edge that could be retractable.
........etc., etc., etc.

Anybody else got any ideas, concepts, suggestions?


Top
 Profile  
Reply with quote  
PostPosted: Thu Jan 05, 2012 10:45 pm 
Offline
User avatar

Joined: Sun Feb 01, 2009 3:55 pm
Posts: 3125
Location: Hawaii
These probably aren't close enough to what you're planning but they might be of some use to you. The photos are of a model of a proposed design for CVN-78 on display in the after end of the hangar deck aboard the USS Midway (CV-41). I took them during a visit back in 2008. Note the maker of the model, "General Atomics."

If you want high-res shots then PM me your e-mail and I'll send them your way. Keep in mind that they are 23 megs in size total.

Image

Image

Image

Image

Image

Image

Gotta love the kids staring at awe of the model. Dad (Red shirt and Hayler hat) thought it was pretty neat too.

Hope that helps some,
-Mike

_________________
Drawing Board:
1/700 Whiff USS Leyte and escorts 1984
1/700 Whiff USN Modernized CAs 1984
1/700 Whiff ASW Showdown - FFs vs SSGN 1984

Slipway:
1/700 Whiff USN ASW Hunter Killer Group Dio 1984


Top
 Profile  
Reply with quote  
PostPosted: Tue Jan 10, 2012 12:19 am 
Offline
User avatar

Joined: Thu Sep 22, 2005 8:58 pm
Posts: 1549
Location: Houston, Texas
THe problem with a CV being stealth is that its a big EMF source, and IR source. You can reduce it but you wont be able to make it invisible remote scanning.

_________________
╔═════╗
Seasick
╚═════╝


Top
 Profile  
Reply with quote  
PostPosted: Fri Jan 13, 2012 5:24 pm 
Offline

Joined: Sun Jul 31, 2011 6:18 pm
Posts: 372
EJM wrote:
Is it possible to make a stealth aircraft carrier? Or at least make as many features on a regular carrier as stealthy as possible? So many vehicles and systems in various militaries are being made more and more stealthy: UAV/UCAV, tanks, subs, frigates, patrol boats, etc., etc., etc.
But what could be done for a carrier, if anything? What features/items on a carrier would you change and how?
I'm planning to build a stealth CVX carrier model in the future and was curious to post this topic and get opinions.


I think it might be possible to make a very small CV stealthy providing that its air wing was limited to a squadron or two of drone aircraft along the lines of a UCAS.

Perhaps the hull might look like an enlarged version of "Sea Shadow (IX-529)" a SWATH, or catamaran hull with angled struts. It might be limited to two closely spaced catapults that would allow you to sequentially launch two aircraft in rapid succession (one at a time), reload and repeat.

I do not think that you could make the CV stealthy in terms of its acoustic signature though, and that is a real problem in dealing with SS/SSN/SSG/SSGNs.


Top
 Profile  
Reply with quote  
PostPosted: Fri Jun 01, 2012 7:58 am 
Offline

Joined: Sat Aug 06, 2011 2:50 pm
Posts: 114
Location: Ogden, Utah
hey mike, i sure swould like to have those pictures so I will have a referance for the AMDR when it comes time to build my CSGN-138. the pictures showcase it nicely.

_________________
In God we trust all others we track


Top
 Profile  
Reply with quote  
PostPosted: Sat Jun 02, 2012 8:47 am 
Offline

Joined: Sat Aug 06, 2011 2:50 pm
Posts: 114
Location: Ogden, Utah
BTW, i dont think it would be possible to ever reduce a carriers RADAR cross section enough to even make it worth the effort. I mean even if you some how "UPsized" the sea shadow to be a carrier, its not going to me hiding anywhere, visually or in the electromagnetic spectrum. IMO

_________________
In God we trust all others we track


Top
 Profile  
Reply with quote  
PostPosted: Sat Jun 02, 2012 12:41 pm 
Offline

Joined: Sun Jul 31, 2011 6:18 pm
Posts: 372
CSGN138 wrote:
BTW, i dont think it would be possible to ever reduce a carriers RADAR cross section enough to even make it worth the effort. I mean even if you some how "UPsized" the sea shadow to be a carrier, its not going to me hiding anywhere, visually or in the electromagnetic spectrum. IMO

From air or space borne sensors no, but from long range shore based radars and surface ships: maybe.

If you think that space based sensors will disappear on day one of a conflict (I think they will), and assume that AWACs platforms are going to get hammered every time they fly (I think they will); then there may be value to a small stealth CV.

Stealth was never perfect, but even a 20% reduction in detection range could have major operational impact and decide which fleet gets off an effective alpha strike first.


Top
 Profile  
Reply with quote  
Display posts from previous:  Sort by  
Post new topic Reply to topic  [ 9 posts ] 

All times are UTC - 6 hours [ DST ]


Who is online

Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 10 guests


You can post new topics in this forum
You can reply to topics in this forum
You cannot edit your posts in this forum
You cannot delete your posts in this forum
You cannot post attachments in this forum

Jump to:  
Powered by phpBB® Forum Software © phpBB Group