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Old 05-06-2022, 11:23 AM
dragoon500ly dragoon500ly is offline
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Default USN What Ifs Part Five

Strike Cruiser The strike cruiser (CSGN) was an outgrowth of the DLGN concept, developed in 1973-1974 as an enlarged DLGN intended to specifically to carry the Aegis weapon system. As more weapons were added (Harpoon and Tomahawk missiles) the ship was enlarged and the twin reactor D2G propulsion plant was upgraded.

The basic CSGN design was an improved CGN-38 class hull with several thousand tons of armor added. This would have been the first armored ship built by the USN since the USS LONG BEACH. The additional displacement would have reduced speed to 28-28.5kts; accordingly, the design was lengthened until at least 30 knots could be achieved, resulting in a very shallow draft.

Initially the ship was to only carry the Phalanx CIWS; however, in an effort to make the ship more competitive than the proposed Aegis-armed destroyer (DG/Aegis and later DDG/CH-47), an 8-inch Mk71 Lightweight Gun was fitted forward.

The ship was proposed as a carrier escort, with up to four CSGNs being considered to screen each carrier. The cost of the lead strike cruiser in fiscal 1976 was estimated $1.371 billion and she was to be have been completed in December 1983.

After the initial concept was ignored by Congress, the Naval Sea Systems Command hurriedly developed a Strike Cruisers Mark II design retaining the same armament but adding a flight deck, presenting a superficial similarity to the Soviet KIEV class VTOL carriers. However, the U.S. ship, with two Mk26 launchers and two 8-inch lightweight guns, would have had an enlarged island structure incorporating hangers for six AV-8A/B Harriers VTOL fighters and three SH-60 ASW helicopters. A further modification to the Mark II design considered a hanger below the flight deck, resulting in a design somewhat similar to the Navy’s light carrier of World War Two (CVL 22-30). That design would have carried about 18 Harriers on a displacement of 18,000 tons. Below is the Mark II stats:

Displacement: 15,900 tons standard; 17,210 tons full load Length: 666ft (203.1m) waterline; 709ft 7in (216.28m overall Beam: 76ft 5in(23.29m) Draft: 22ft 4in (6.81m) Propulsion: (2) pressurized water D2G General Electric nuclear reactors, (2) shafts, 60,000shp
(2) 2,000 kW (2,700 hp) diesel generators (6) ship service turbo generators Speed: 30+ knots Crew: 454 Armament: (2)2 Mk26 missile launchers with SM2MR Block III/IV SAMS and ASROC 64 missiles forward, 64 missiles aft (4)2 Mk143 Armored Box Launchers each with 4 BGM-109 Tomahawk missiles
(4)4 Mk141 Launchers, each with 4 RGM-84 Harpoon missiles (1)1 8”/55 caliber MCLWG (forward) (2) Mk15 Phalanx CIWS (midships) (3)2 Mk32 SVTT with Mk46 ASW torpedoes Air Group: (6) AV-8A/B Harrier VTOL; (3) SH-60B ASW helicopters
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