Ladies and Gentlemen, my I introduce the idea-intense Mr. Sauragnmon:
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NTU AAW suite, personally. SPS-48 on an aft mast, standing behind the stack, with the 5" directors replaced for the track/illuminate package of the suite.
I agree. Once I discovered what made the Kidd-class DDGs so special, I knew that the search for the apex of AAW suite for the battleships had been reached. The New Threat Upgrade in 1988 rivaled Aegis with off-the-shelf parts. With an upgraded version of one of the two weapon direction systems (WDS) that were "upgraded" in the upgrade [the Mk74 and Mk86 (not to be confused with the fire-control system) WDS], I think it is safe to say a modern NTU would be so far and beyond what would be expected that its integration into the Aegis envelope, the battleship and its BSG would be well shielded from cruise missile, theater ballistic missile, and aircraft attack.
For best coverage and best return on the money, even the base-line NTU would be the choice.
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The VLS could support most systems.
Indeed it could, but I am afraid the SM-2ERs fired by the Laheay, Belknap, etc were unique to those ships and incompatable with VLS. They were too long. As you know, modern ER missiles fit into the tubes fine, and the SPG-62s guide them well. Since the SPG-51 "D" nearly doubled the output of the "B", I have a feeling an "E" or "F" would increase the power even more.
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and donkey-punch the beancounters who stand in my way.
Oh, my! The donkey-punch is quite a maneuver. Maybe something more vulgar like the "Alabama Hotpocket" might be more appropriate.
This coming weekend will be my first weekend off in 4 weeks straight. I am running a gunshoot this week, and I have our Final Evaluation Process (FEP) next week. So, this weekend, I am going to be running hard on working out and doing my models. I will build at least the mast for my 2006-2009 USS Iowa. After heavy sketching and preparation, I am going to use the mast of the USS Bataan as a basis and customize it to the battleship a little more than that of the later LHDs' arrangements. Then while the plastic is out, the aft mast for the 1988 USS Kentucky (BBG-66). I am basing that one similarly on the aft mast of the USS Longbeach.
I will also be working heavily on the "Future Large Surface Combatant" and USS Spruance upgraded to a DDG and equipped for a primary mission of NSFS through the HM&E Warfighting Improvement Program.
I have my Mk71 Major Caliber Lightweight Gun in, and I am SO happy. I cannot illustrate how awesome this thing is. The craftsmanship is exactly what I hoped for. It's already to go onto Spruance's bow.