US Army wants the Spruance air-capable destroyer - USAV McGuire

[JoeCalPo]

I put this model in this area as it is a stretch from reality. The ship model was, as recall, a Minicraft.
Posting it as an aside to the current discussions about the Air-Capable and other Spruance designs.

The idea is the US Army, long possessing a fleet of ships, decides they want the last Spruance, the DDH version, with modifications.
The forward 5" replaced by a 155mm howitzer turret. Yes, it would need mods for sea services. The German Navy actually did this.
Aft I added a ramp for amphib vehicles.
The helo is an MH-60. I had an OH-6 too but cannot find it.
McGuire is the famous USAAC fighter pilot, with a base here in New Jersey.

 

[Seragina]

Why would you need the 155 mm cannon? unless it's for litoral operation?
Anyhow, for DDH I'm wondering why the MH-53 was never considered when it could have added the mining/ sweeping capabillity.

 

[JoeCalPo]

It is a special ops carrier, hence the howitzer and amphibs.
I have an H-53 in scale, and it would not fit. Maybe if the flight deck were extended like the Japanese DDHs or the Italian helicopter carriers, but the H-53 is BIG>
I was able to fit the UH-1 and AH-1, while a Sea King is a stretch. Medium and small helos.

 

[MadRat]

To get what they want ypu pretty much want everything above deck moved forward to add space for a landing pad extension. If they end the current deck back it probably dramatically throws the yaw balance off in anything above sea state 1 without adds extra buoyancy to the stern. Maybe they can add an underwater wing that is retractable to avoid more hull changes?

 

[Seragina]

For stabillity and copping with higher tonnage the easiest solution is to add bulges on the sides. This will increase drag & lower speed but increase side protection, though.