Beyond The Sprues
Modelling => Ideas & Inspiration => Sea => Topic started by: Volkodav on January 22, 2014, 07:21:53 PM
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With the X-47B kits out now it got me wondering how far off is a purpose built UCAV carrier? Without a pilot to worry about could some old ideas and configurations make a come back, i.e. flying off decks at hanger deck level for launching and the main deck used only for landings. Higher endurance of the UCAV verses the manned equivalent due to not having to lug a pilot and all there gear required to keep them alive around everywhere meaning the same persistence could be achieved with fewer airframes. As the controllers can be trained on a simulator or multiple could fly the same UCAV the airframes would do fewer hours and could actually be kept semi assembled most the time and only assembled when required for a mission. Smaller carrier but same number of airframes.
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As a rebuild of an older vessel, possibly, as a new bottom? Not likely, definitely not likely in the USN
as they are going for large airframes that require just as much operational real estate as a manned
aircraft.
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May I recommend you read the SEA ARCHER report. (http://www.nps.edu/academics/gseas/tsse/subPages/2001Project.html)
(http://www.nps.edu/academics/gseas/tsse/images/projects/2001logo.gif)
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The Gerald Ford carrier is well along, and construction on the John F Kennedy has begun. These carriers are pencilled in for a 90 year lifespan. When they retire, they may be all UAV, but I don't think we will see a UAV aircraft carrier design as such any time soon.
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I was thinking more along the lines of a through deck cruiser, Hyuga, Cavour, USN proposed strike cruiser. The idea would be to add a level of ISR, CAP, SEAD, and strike to surface action groups
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Maybe something along the lines of the BAE Systems UXV concept then:
(http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/2/24/Uxv_combatant.JPG)
(http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Q4REXEjONhs/TsINCcpPjQI/AAAAAAAAAL8/nub7OFf8Dq0/s1600/12092007002.jpg)
(http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-eWDa5GP8wdw/TsINMU3DaLI/AAAAAAAAAMI/zTExEAhimyo/s1600/12092007003.jpg)
(http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-E55fdSDG6wA/TsIM4n1MvhI/AAAAAAAAALw/a3qg9ZRwEuc/s1600/11092007003.jpg)
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Of course, one could go the submarine route:
(http://i41.photobucket.com/albums/e289/jv444/StrikeFromBeneaththeSea.jpg)
or
(http://i77.photobucket.com/albums/j49/gfad1/morphingUAVsublaunch.jpg)
(http://aftermathnews.files.wordpress.com/2013/01/lmsw-cormorant-launch.jpg)
(http://www.combatreform.org/cormorantsubmarineUAV.jpg)
(http://www.aerospaceweb.org/question/planes/fake/cormorant1.jpg)
(http://spectrum.ieee.org/img/cormorant_mockup-1386833572568.jpg)
http://youtu.be/r-J8LNhCr8I (http://youtu.be/r-J8LNhCr8I)
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Or
http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RSJTtKCydy4/USz4QQAbnaI/AAAAAAAAGec/PLa7l7K-tME/s1600/4.jpg (http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RSJTtKCydy4/USz4QQAbnaI/AAAAAAAAGec/PLa7l7K-tME/s1600/4.jpg)
http://myhobbycraft.blogspot.com.au/2013/02/proposed-cvn-concept-1800-future.html (http://myhobbycraft.blogspot.com.au/2013/02/proposed-cvn-concept-1800-future.html)
http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RSJTtKCydy4/USz4QQAbnaI/AAAAAAAAGec/PLa7l7K-tME/s1600/4.jpg (http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RSJTtKCydy4/USz4QQAbnaI/AAAAAAAAGec/PLa7l7K-tME/s1600/4.jpg)
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Of course, one could go the submarine route:
([url]http://spectrum.ieee.org/img/cormorant_mockup-1386833572568.jpg[/url])
Something for the Block IV / V Virginia Class SSGNs the USn is looking at that I would love to see in the RAN at some point!
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EEEK! The Hippo flies again! O.O *screaming and running*
Well, not QUITE the same as X-32, but it's STILL a Yawning Hippo/"Phil Condit" intake.
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Hmmm…maybe a 1/144 Revell Sea Shadow kit and some 1/350 or 1/700 Orange Hobby X-47s could provide the basis for something like this:
(http://www.ausairpower.net/USAF/ucav-lm2.jpg)
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Hmmmm. !! 8)
That clicking and grinding you hear is my clockwork creative thought processes working an idea.
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Drones could potentially use an axial deck with EM cats, arrestor gear and crash barriers quite effectively raising the possibility of an effective Drone / ASW Helo Carrier hybrid of Izumo size. The drone would / could provide BVR strike, surveillance and air defence as an extension of the ships combat system retaining the man in the loop.