What-If Stealth aircraft carrier?

[EJM]

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.

[Timmy C]

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.

[EJM]

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?

[Cliffy B]

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.













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

[Seasick]

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.

[Busto963]

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.

[CSGN138]

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.

[CSGN138]

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

[Busto963]

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.