An Air-Capable Combatant For the 21st Century

Abstract

During the next decade, the force structure of the U.S. Navy will be in flux, as it reacts to changing political relationships, advancing technology, and declining resources. Newly developed vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL) aircraft, such as the V-22 Osprey and AV-8B Harrier, offer the U.S. Navy an air capability for its future battle force combatants that needs to be explored. What would a battle force combatant with a detachment of six VTOL aircraft and a destroyer combatant with a detachment of six VTOL aircraft and a destroyer combat suite like the DDG-51's resemble? Can such a ship be designed within reasonable size and cost limits? A feasibility design study was conducted of alternative concepts to determine the smallest, minimum cost, lowest risk, air-capable battle force combatant capable of conducting operations in the 21st century. The paper discusses the evolution of the design, including alternative ship, hangar and elevator configurations. It also describes the development of the light ship weights and vertical centres of gravity, deck area and volume, electrical power and hull form. In addition the paper covers the process used to develop the design, including the use of advanced technologies, such as integrated electric propulsion.