Okay, fellas. Let's start nailing down specific baselines for an FF(X). I propose:
Main Gun Weapon System (GWS) - Bofors 57 mm (2.24") Mark 110 Mod 4 Naval Automatic Gun System (AGS) mounted in a low-RCS stealth cupola atop the fore-deck. 120 rounds ready in the mount; additional rounds can be loaded from below-deck magazines. Mark 110 is operated by remote control from the Gun Console (GC) within the Control Officers Console (COC) of the Mark 160 Gun Computer System (Mark 160 GCS), but can be controlled locally in the gun mount. Mark 160 GCS is capable of direct firing attacks against surface radar and optically tracked targets, as well as indirect firing during Naval Gun Fire Support (NGFS). Alternate: Oto Melara 76 mm/62-cal Super Rapid Compact Naval Gun (aka OTO 76/62 SR) is a high-performance naval gun, offering rapid fire, multi-role capabilities, and advanced ammunition options. Total destructive effect favors the 76mm for larger near-misses, but guided and smart 57mm rounds narrow the gap.
Gun Fire Control - Mark 160 Gun Computer System (Mark 160 GCS), AN/SPQ-9B Multi-Purpose Surface Search and Fire Control radar (aka "Spook 9"), and Mark 20 Mod 1 Electro Optic Sensor System (Mark 20 EOSS). Mark 160 GCS is located in the ship's Combat Information Center (CIC) and serves as both the central fire control brain and primary interface between the Mark 110 GWS, the ship's Command and Decision (C&D) system, and an array of mixed sensors. Within the Combat Information Center (CIC), the Gun Console (GC)—often part of the Control Officer's Console (COC)—acts as the main operator interface for the Mk 160. Mark 160 GCS translates target information into gun aiming orders via the Signal Data Converter/Gun Mount Processor (SDC/GMP) and the precision enables an effective Anti-Ship Missile Defense (ASMD). There are two Mark 20 EOSS aboard, and together these serve three primary functions: EOSS/GWS integration, automatic target detection and tracking, and day/night video surveillance. AN/SPQ-9B is controlled at the COC; the high-fidelity X-Band, pulse-doppler radar provides defense against low altitude (below 2000 ft) surface and air targets such as sea skimming missiles, for either gun fire engagement or navigation. Track While Scan (TWS) mode provides high resolutions in two dimensions for the detection and tracking of more than one thousand objects at or near the surface of the water. The Control Officer operates the AN/SPQ-9B and displays target video on the Plan Position Indicator (PPI), assigns targets to the TWS channels, initiates the desired operating mode, selects the Gun Fire Control Console (GFCC), assigns targets and respective gun mounts to a respective Weapons Control Console (WCC), enables WCC firing circuits, then disables the WCC after engagement. Mark 20 EOSS supports operations including anti-surface and anti-air warfare, spotting and damage assessment, target detection and identification, naval gun fire support, safety check-sight, location/track of man overboard and channel position and navigation. The MT 51 Velocimeter (located on the main gun mount) measures the initial velocity of the round leaving the barrel via a doppler signal.
CIWS - One fore-mounted Phalanx Close-In Weapon System (CIWS) with the 20 mm M61A2 Vulcan 6-barreled Gatling cannon, or 11-cell SeaRAM for forward and abeam shots. One 21-cell RIM-116C Block 2B Rolling Airframe Missile (RAM) in RAM Mark 31 Guided Missile Weapon System (GMWS) located high astern for rearward and abeam shots. Both Phalanx CIWS and SeaRAM are autonomous systems which do not need any external information to engage threats. Due to the common mounting, SeaRAM inherits the relatively easy installation characteristics of its gun-based sibling.
Close Range MG - Typhon-mount (Mark 38 Mod 3) Machine Gun System (MGS) located abeam each side, with a TOPLITE gimbal stabilized 25 mm/1" Bushmaster II. The MGS features multi-functional displays in a remote control console, independent electro-optical/infrared (EO/IR) sensors, a laser rangefinder, target autotracking, and two ammunition types. Each Mod 3 also features a backup 7.62mm Mark 52 co-axial gun. MGS focuses on robust close-in self defense. Direct-fire defense against small surface craft and as part of a layered protection against missile and drone threats. Distributed to each quadrant, either the 12.7 mm (.50") M2HB Browning Heavy Machine Guns (HMG; with 100 round or 200 round ammo can holder) or MK19 40 mm Grenade belt-fed Automatic Grenade Launcher (AGL; with 32 or 48 round ammo cans) on MK93 Mod 4 free-swinging pintle mounts. With adapters the M60/MK43 7.62 mm General Purpose Machine Gun (GPMG; with 250 round ammo can), M240 7.62 mm GPMG (with 300 round ammo can), or M249 5.56 mm Squad Automatic Weapon (SAW; 250 round ammo box) can be installed on the MK93 mount as alternative options.
Angle-container Missiles - 8 RGM-184 Naval Strike Missiles (NSM Q) for surface and land strikes, 12 AMRAAM-ER or AIM-9X in six-pack LCHR-derived multi-missile launch containers from NASAMS 3 for air-defense, 8 Precision Strike Missile (PrSM) or 16 Ground Launched StormBreaker (GLSDB2) containers for precision fires land strike, or 24 AGM-114 Hellfire missiles for counter-drone roles; or any combination thereof. Located on the upper weapons deck.
VLS Missiles - Mounted in combination of medial and/or exterior (perimeter) deck spaces. 12/24 RIM-162E Block 2 Evolved Sea Sparrow Missile (ESSM) in one or two medially located 6-cell dual-packed Mark 56 Guided Missile Vertical Launching System (GMVLS). Provisional space for an additional two Stanflex modular mission payloads, laterally located on the lower weapons deck perimeter.
Directed Energy Weapons - 60 kW High-Energy Laser with Integrated Optical-dazzler and Surveillance (HELIOS) for light speed counter drone (UAS/UUV) capability. LRADs (long-range acoustic devices) to repel pirate attacks by sending warnings and by producing intolerable levels of sound.
Torpedo and Anti-Submarine Warfare (ASW) - Mark 32 surface vessel torpedo triple tubes for the 12.75-inch (324 mm) Mark 54 ASW torpedo. Copperhead-100M reusable unmanned underwater vehicles (UUVs) delivered by Anduril's Ghost Shark AI-powered extra-large autonomous underwater vehicle (XL-AUV) designed for long-range, persistent, and stealthy surveillance, reconnaissance, and strike missions.
Other Ship Defenses - Two Nulka decoy launchers. Nulka hovers in the air and emits radiofrequency energy to lure the seekers of anti-ship missiles. AN/SLQ-32 Mod 5 electronic warfare suite. Mark 36 Super Rapid Bloom Offboard Countermeasures Chaff and Decoy Launching System (SRBOC aka "Super-R-Boc") short-range Decoy Launching System (DLS) that launches radar or infrared decoys from naval vessels to foil incoming anti-ship missiles. SLQ-32 (with the exception of the (V)4 variant) can automatically fire decoys from the Mark 36 SRBOCs when it detects an anti-ship missile attack. Towed and offboard decoys for submarine torpedo threats.
Communications - Multi-Functional Information Distribution System Joint Tactical Radio System (MIDS JTRS). Link-11 and Link-16 tactical data links, enhanced command and control (C2) capabilities to facilitate real-time, secure, and jam-resistant data (voice, data, imagery, and video) sharing with Navy, Joint, and coalition forces. MIDS JTRS enables simultaneous operation of Link 16 and up to three additional advanced networking waveforms, including Tactical Targeting Networking Technology (TTNT) and Flexible Access Secure Transfer (FAST). MIDS JTRS uses software-defined radio technology to update and adapt to future security and networking requirements.
Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) Multifunctional Radar - AN/SPS-75 (Giraffe 4A) is a multi-role medium-range AESA surveillance radar system in three dimensions for naval applications. It provides medium range, simultaneous air and surface surveillance and can be employed in a weapon designation role. AN/SPS-75 uses Agile Multi-Beam (AMB), which includes an integrated Command, control and communication (C3) system. This enables AN/SPS-75 to act as the command and control center in an air defense system. AN/SPS-73(V)18 Next Generation Surface Search Radar (NGSSR) enhances safety and situational awareness while it simultaneously performs navigation, surface search, and periscope detection (PDD). While primarily for navigation, it offers, advanced, limited, low-altitude, short-range, situational awareness against surface and aerial threats. NGSSR is a software-configurable, Agile Multi-Beam (AMD) in the X-band, maritime radar designed to replace legacy systems on U.S. Navy surface combatants.
Forecastle Main Mast - The primary Mark 20 EOSS is located above the bridge. AN/SLQ-32C(V)6 Surface Electronic Warfare Improvement Program (SEWIP) Block II; see below for details. AN/UPX-29(V) Interrogator System for electronic Identification Friend or Foe (IFF) air traffic control. AN/URN-32 Combined Tactical Air Navigation (TACAN) Antenna and Beacon Transponder to provide azimuth (bearing) and range (distance) information to aircraft. Rapid Deployment Elevation System (RDES) derived telescopic mast that can extend to a point 200 feet above sea level (ASL) with up to 1200 pounds, and has a structural rating for survival in 80 mph winds.
RDES Mounted Sensors - A secondary Mark 20 EOSS is RDES-mounted. Maximum extension allows for direct Line-of-Sight (LOS) of 18.6 miles; this location enhances naval or land-based situational awareness by significantly increasing the sensor's vertical field of regard and horizon LOS. This combination allows for faster, higher-angle target detection, improved horizon scanning, and enhanced identification capabilities. Elevated sensors offer a better view of congested waterways, shorelines, or urban environments. RDES allows the system to be raised or lowered in minutes, enhancing flexibility in fast-paced operational environments.
Electromagnetic Warfare (EW) Suite - AN/SLQ-32C(V)6 SEWIP aka "SEWIP Lite". EW consists of three major subdivisions: electronic attack (EA), electronic protection (EP), and electronic warfare support (ES). Activities used in EW include electro-optical, infrared and radio frequency countermeasures; Electromagnetic (EM) compatibility and deception; radio jamming, radar jamming and deception and electronic counter-countermeasures (ECCM aka anti-jamming); electronic masking, probing, reconnaissance, and intelligence; electronic security; EW reprogramming; emission control; spectrum management; and wartime reserve modes.
Signature Reduction - Low visibility paints to reduce visual, ultraviolet, and infrared identification. Over 13 dB Radar Cross Section Reduction (RCSR) and similar audible emissions reduction. A 13 dB radar cross-section (RCS) reduction corresponds to more than a ten-fold (95%) decrease in the reflected power of a target, effectively reducing its radar signature by over one order of magnitude. In practical terms, this means a target becomes much harder to detect, as a 13 dB reduction shrinks the detection range significantly to about 5% compared to an untreated object.
Bow-mounted Sonar - AN/SQQ-89(V)15 integrated Undersea Warfare (USW) Combat System Suite. Computer-controlled, bow-mounted AN/SQS-53C ("Kingfisher") high frequency active and passive sonar with the capabilities to search, detect, classify, localize and track undersea contacts, and to engage and evade submarines, mine-like small objects and torpedo threats. The AN/SQS-53C is most effective for shallow water navigation, object avoidance, and mine warfare. AN/SQR-19 Tactical Towed Array Sonar (TACTAS) which is a component of the AN/SQQ-89 sonar suite, is a series of hydrophones towed from a cable several thousand feet behind the ship, that is able to passively detect adversary submarines at a very long range. AN/SQR-19 combines active and passive hydrophone arrays for Anti-Submarine Warfare (ASW) detect and track capability. Additional towed arrays on deployed Unmanned Underwater Vehicles (UUV) and/or from a Seahawk helicopter. AN/UQN-4 Sonar Sounding Set (also known as EDO Model 9057) is a digital depth sounder/fathometer for measuring the depth of water from the ship’s keel to the ocean floor for safe operational navigation. Fathometers are operated from all classes of United States (U.S.) Navy surface ships and are considered Mid-Frequency Active (MFA) sonars. AN/WQC-2 (commonly known as "Gertrude" or "The Underwater Telephone") is a hull-mounted transducers or towed-line array utilized as an Underwater Voice Communication (UVC) system used for secure, short-range, two-way, voice, and Morse code communication between submarines, surface vessels, divers, and other underwater vehicles. AN/SQR-19 slated to be eventually replaced by AN/SQR-20 Multi-Function Towed Array (MFTA) and its more advanced TB-37U sensors. AN/SQR-20 and TB-37U offers better performance against quiet diesel-electric Submarine Killers (SSKs) in littoral environments, increased reliability, and reduced obsolescence.
Aviation Support - Chinook and Sea Stallion deck load capacity for efficient Vertical Replenishment (VERTREP). Hangar storage for one Seahawk helicopter and distributed deck moorings to secure up to three helicopters on available deck space. AN/URN-32 Combined Tactical Air Navigation (TACAN) Antenna and Beacon Transponder to provide azimuth (bearing) and range (distance) information to aircraft. AN/UPX-29(V) Interrogator System for electronic Identification Friend or Foe (IFF) air traffic control.
Propulsion and Primary Power Generation - Combined diesel–electric and gas (CODLAG) system using one reversible controllable-pitch propeller. A single 7,400 kW (9,900 hp) Fairbanks Morse Defense (formerly Rolls-Royce) 20-cylinder MTU 20V 1163 TB93 diesel engine provides the best power efficiency to provide propulsion and an onboard power supply. An additional two Fairbanks Morse Defense (formerly Rolls-Royce) 20-cylinder nForcer FM 175D engines 3,750 kW (5,000 hp at 1,800 rpm) may be called upon to combined for an additional 14.875 MW of power. Main cruise solely requires diesel–electric power; the mechanical drive train is disengaged with clutches. Eliminating the mechanical connection between engines and propellers has several advantages including increased freedom in placement of the engines, acoustical decoupling of the engines from the hull, which makes the ship less noisy, and a reduction in weight and volume. Reserve diesel–electric and alternative power sources can boost speeds temporarily with minimal acoustic increase using two additional reversible controllable-pitch propellers. For higher speeds, the reserve 22 MW (30,000 hp) General Electric LM2500 gas turbine engine - with clutches engaged - powers the main shaft via a cross-connecting gearbox. The LM2500 gas turbine is available to quickly respond to increases in dynamic power demands and it can spool up to full power in under 5 minutes. In an emergency the gas turbine can effective propel the ship on its power alone. Reserve diesel engines may take between 20-30 minutes to bring the them up to an efficient rotational speed, and all three diesel–electrics are necessary for an 18 knot cruise speed. The 7,280 kW (9,760 hp at 1,000 rpm) Fairbanks Morse 16V28/33D STC diesel engine may substitute for the MTU 20V 1163 TB93, but maximum cruise speed will drop a up to half a knot.
Auxiliary Power Generation - Integrated electric propulsion (IEP). Two reserve diesel–electric engine and a gas turbine provide for auxiliary electrical generation to meet dynamic energy demands. Some soft storage capacity for transitioning. Distributed hull-mounted bifacial solar cell (BSC) panels, connected to limited battery storage, boosts the daily electrical generation during fair weather. BSCs may provide between 20-30% of energy demands for daytime travel at cruise speeds. The trash incinerator, or Waste-to-Energy (WtE) system, provides minor electrical generation at a rate of about 500 to 600 kWh of electricity per ton of waste incinerated. Retractable bow thrusters for dock maneuvers.
Operational Speed - 28 knots (52 km/h; 32 mph) maximum speed. Hull design for cruise speed of 18 knots.
Endurance - Expected range of 12,000 nautical miles (22,000 km; 14,000 mi) at a 16 knot cruise under diesel–electric engine power alone. Provisional storage for 60-75 duty cycles of an expected minimum 150 day deployment. This includes up to 30,000 gallons (125 tons) of drinkable and potable fresh water, volume equivalent to 17 "twenty-foot equivalent unit" (abbreviated TEU; approximately 20,000 cubic feet) of provisional dry storage concealed in weather-tight containers stored under the deck cover space, and an addition 2 TEU (of approximately 2,500 cubic feet) of mixed storage facilities distributed across internal compartments.
Replenishment - Underway replenishment (UNREP - for Solid, Liquid, Ammunition) and VERTREP (for Solid, Ammunition) capable. Supplies may also be delivered through the LARS, telescoping and swiveling davit locations, and mooring access points at the ship fantails.
Child Vessels - Ability to launch and recover a mixture of manned and/or unmanned child vessels (RHIBs, tenders, Ghost Shark UUV, or minisubmarines). An internal boat bay with weather-tight external doors for dry stack storage of up to four 10 meter child vessels (RHIBs/UUVs). One high-sea-state stern launching ramp (LARS aka "float-in garage") for up to one 25 meter boat; designed to launch and recover smaller craft while in motion or in high seas. This LARS is specifically designed to handle one Combatant Craft Medium, Mark1 (CCM). The stern ramp allows for the launch and recovery of boats without the mother vessel having to come to a complete halt. The garage keeps child vessels secured and protected from the elements, as opposed to being stored on an open deck. Mooring for CCM located on ship fantails located near trailing edges along each side of hull. Two boat cradles located above-deck on the stern with capacity for up to 10 meter child vessels facilitates transfers from dry stack storage to the sea surface.
Utility Cranes - One aft-mounted telescoping and swiveling davit (12-ton capacity hydraulic crane), and one 11-ton capacity telescoping and swiveling davit (electrical crane) located inside each side of internal boat bay. Cranes are for launch/recovery of a Rigid Hull Inflatable Boat (RHIB), UUV, or Combatant Craft Assault (CCA); replenishment; or deployment of sea mines. Weather-tight gangway (narrow passage used to board or disembark ships) connects the LARS well to the center of the ship. Two internal winches on a fixed gantry atop shaft spaces for moving palletized supplies through internal spaces; one of which can be used to transfer up to a 10 meter child vessel from the LARS well to internal boat bay space.
Poke it to pieces.
edit: FF(X) not FFG(X)
